Education

Ensuring that our children receive a quality education is a priority. To help our students and teachers reach higher academic standards, I have supported school aid increases of over $100 million for schools in the 120th Assembly District. This funding helps our schools keep property taxes down as well as reduce class sizes, improve teacher training, modernize computer technology and repair school buildings. I also helped keep college affordable by supporting an increase to the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and creating the College Savings Tuition Program.

I am very pleased that the Say Yes to Education program is gaining support. In 2008, I secured $1 million in funds to get the Say Yes to Education program started locally. Governor Paterson offered a commitment in his state of the state address to this education initiative that offers free college tuition to students who meet educational standards. Locally, the program offers Syracuse City School students opportunities and an incentive to continue achieving educational goals. The program removes academic, social, financial and health obstacles to help students realize that pursuing higher education is possible.


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