December 2003 |
Education: |
From the NYS Assembly · Sheldon Silver, Speaker Steven Sanders · Chair, Education Committee |
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Pataki’s failed leadership and policies are undermining our schools When the governor took office, he stated, "let me tell you flat out, we aren’t going to give . . . any school district in the state more money in 1995." Eight years later, he proved that his failing education policy had not changed when he asserted that an eighth grade education is sufficient to meet the needs of our students. The governor’s neglect of our schools has now come back to haunt us. The Court of Appeals ruled that the current school aid system fails to provide New York’s children with the basic education that is guaranteed to them under the state constitution and which is the state’s moral obligation to deliver. Although the court issued its landmark ruling in the Campaign for Fiscal Equity (CFE) case in June, the governor waited months to appoint a study commission. What’s more, he intentionally set a March deadline for recommendations on the issue to avoid putting a plan in his budget. This should come as no surprise, since throughout his term in office, the governor has undermined education standards by:
The Assembly is committed to ensuring every school district receives the resources it needs to provide a quality education Because of the CFE ruling, the governor can no longer ignore our schools’ needs. Money won’t solve all our schools’ problems, but by providing sufficient resources we can begin to address the barriers to a quality education. And by increasing accountability we can make sure resources are used effectively. We must provide students with the skills they need — in safe and up-to-date classrooms — so they can compete for the jobs of tomorrow. It is time for the governor to recognize that improving schools across the state will improve economic opportunities and attract businesses that create good-paying jobs. The Assembly has a strong record of supporting education Despite the governor’s attempts to undermine our schools, the Assembly has consistently fought to provide a quality education that doesn’t burden property taxpayers by:
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