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Assembly Budget Resolution To Provide $1.3 Billion Boost For Education, $500 Million Allocated For Capital School Construction Highlights include higher standards, smaller classes, universal pre-K, teacher training and summer programs
Continuing its historic and steadfast commitment to the school children of New York State, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver today unveiled the Assembly's education spending plan. "We are all deeply concerned about the thousands of children throughout this state who have not been able to keep up with the higher academic standards instituted by the Regents," said Silver. "For these students and for those who will follow, much of their academic success will rely on the level of financial commitment the state provides. The Assembly Majority recognizes that if increased resources do not accompany higher standards, we are simply setting up our children to fail and that option is unacceptable." Silver said that during the 2000-2001 school year, the Assembly
education plan calls for spending $1.3 billion more than last year
and $967 million more than the amount proposed by Governor George
Pataki and seeks to improve academic standards, provide for smaller
classes and universal pre-K, support teacher training and promote
summer education programs. "I know that the most important investment that our government can make is the education of our children," said Herman D. Farrell, Jr., chair of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee. "Now, with our record surplus, it is the time for that investment. If not now, when?" Silver also indicated that the state's increased education spending would provide direct and substantial benefits to local property taxpayers. "Every dollar that New York State invests in education, is a dollar that the property taxpayers will not have to contribute," said Silver. "With this budget, the Assembly remains steadfast in its commitment to all our children having the opportunity to succeed," said Steve Sanders, chair of the Assembly Education Committee. "We can be proud that our budget truly puts kids first, as we provide ample resources for our universal pre-K and reduced class size initiatives, as well as for teacher training, vitally needed summer programs and aid for urgent school maintenance and repairs. Our education budget invests in our children's future while easing the tax burden of already strapped local districts. It reflects the Speaker's and our conference's resolve to improve our public schools and guarantee children across the state a quality public education." Helping children meet higher standards Silver stressed the Assembly budget resolution's strong focus on ways to help children meet more challenging academic standards now being implemented by the New York State Board of Regents. Under the Assembly budget resolution, an additional $80.8 million, a new total of $183 million, will be targeted for intensive academic intervention services, including after-school homework assistance and tutoring, intensive in-school tutoring, greater direct interaction with students and other services designed to help students achieve. These services would be directed to schools where students are preparing for Math and English Regents exams or other statewide assessment examinations. Fighting for smaller classes and universal pre-K According to Silver, the Assembly rejects the governor's $287 million cuts to the Assembly's historic LADDER initiatives, which seeks to reduce class sizes and make universal pre-K and full-day kindergarten available to every young child in the state. "The Assembly is continuing to press for small classes because
studies have shown that they result in greater academic achievement,
increased teacher productivity and reduced disciplinary problems,"
said Silver, who noted that in addition to assuring full funding
for existing programs to reduce kindergarten through third grade
class sizes, the Assembly is striving to lower class sizes for grades
4 and 5 starting in the 2002-2003 school year. "No parent should have to worry about whether or not their children will be prepared to meet the new higher academic standards," said Silver. "The Assembly is providing the necessary resources to ensure these programs give children the early foundation needed to help them succeed academically and be competitive in the 21st century economy, as well." Ensuring our schools provide a good learning environment "The Assembly remains committed to ensuring that schools across this state provide modern, safe classrooms and facilities in which our children are best able to learn," said Silver. "That is why we are proposing $500 million aid through the Assembly-initiated RESCUE (Rebuild Schools to Uphold Education) plan. A solid investment in our schools' infrastructure will make a strong impression on our children as to the value we place on them and on their educational success," said Silver. Also, included in the Assembly resolution is $50 million for minor maintenance and repair, an initiative that was also part of the Assembly's original LADDER program. Attracting and retaining quality teachers To sustain efforts aimed at attracting and retaining qualified teachers where they are needed most, the Assembly budget resolution includes an additional $25 million for:
"Our new teacher initiatives will not only help those teachers already serving in our neediest schools, but will help attract a new generation of teachers to address critical teacher shortages," said Silver. In addition to the new teacher initiatives, the Assembly continued its strong support for existing teacher programs by allocating $67.5 million for Teacher Support Aid and $25 million to restore and enhance Teacher Resource and Training Centers. Investing in Summer School Programs Building on the Assembly's effort to help students meet higher standards, the Assembly's budget resolution earmarks an additional $35 million for summer school programs. Silver said this funding would support teacher expenses, student transportation and summer camps that provide classes geared to meet the more rigorous learning standards. "We all know that learning is a lifelong experience. We must convey to our young people that learning does not end once the school-year is completed," said Silver. "For so many of our state's students, summer programs can be an invaluable time to catch-up, develop an interest in specific areas or get a head start on the upcoming school year." - 30 -
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