NY EdPAC, the New York political committee of Education Voters of New York, is an independent political voice that is turning public demand for excellent public education policies into political action. We are helping elect pro-public education candidates and then holding them responsible for the quality of schools they are creating. NY EdPAC is currently considering our endorsements for the 2008 election cycle.
Candidate Questionnaire
1. In 2007, the State Legislature agreed to an historic four year increase in education funding as part of its compliance with the court order in the Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit. The 2008/2009 fiscal year will be the third year of this four year increase. The forecast for next year’s budget is worsening, and the projected deficits are likely to be large Education Voters of New York believes that a child’s education should not be tied to the vagaries of the economy and that regardless of an economic down turn, school funding must be kept a priority. We believe the promised funding increase – which is just beginning to address decades of underfunding – must be maintained. Would you, if elected, keep New York State’s promise to fully fund the education budget increase in Fiscal Years 2008/2009 and 2009/2010? ____Yes ____No
2. Most people recognize that creating excellent schools does not end at increasing the education budget. We must do more to create a system of accountability that ensures our increased investment will improve student learning. Education Voters of New York has supported the Contracts for Excellence, which were developed to tie foundation aid to critical program areas such as class size reduction, teacher and principal quality, school restructuring, and more time on task. Do you support the Contracts for Excellence? ____Yes ____No
If so, do you believe the Contracts should be expanded to include more schools? ____Yes ____No
3. Increasingly, students are struggling to pay for college. Tuitions at state and private institutions have risen, while wages have not kept pace. What are some ways the State Legislature can help make college more affordable so that income is not a barrier to those seeking a higher education?
4. New York City’s structure of Mayoral Control has been controversial since the NYS Legislature in 2003 granted Mayor Bloomberg full control over and responsibility for NYC’s 1500 public schools. As the law sunsets in 2009, the New York State Legislature has an opportunity to revisit Mayoral Control and either renew it, eliminate it or alter it. Education Voters of New York believes that while the jury is still out on the total effectiveness of Mayoral Control, we at the very least need to create far more accountability than what currently exists in this system. How would you reform Mayoral Control to include more measures of accountability, public involvement, and a system of checks and balances?
5. New York State ranks 41st nationally in high school graduation rates. Large high schools, some with more than 1,000 students, have proven ineffective at serving low-performing, underserved minority communities. Students in overcrowded schools struggle with little individualized attention, limited resources, and inadequate academic support. Education Voters of New York believes that one way to transform ineffective high schools is by creating high-performing small learning communities. This has already been done in dozens of schools around the state. With a commitment of just $30 million, we can transform the 150 lowest ranking high schools. Would you commit to including in the NYS 2008/2009 budget a funding line of $30 million to be applied toward creating small learning communities in the 150 lowest ranking high schools? ______Yes ______No
6. Education Voters of New York believes that an excellent education is a well-rounded education. With the recent emphasis on test scores driving curriculum, other critical pieces of a child’s educational experience have diminished at alarming rates. We believe that arts education, physical activity and access to after school programs are essential to developing the whole child. What measures can the state legislature take to ensure that these educational components are treated as core programs rather than as optional ones?
7. Whichever way we look at it, taxes fund our public school system. While a property tax cap is popular amongst the public, Education Voters of New York is concerned that a property tax cap can be extremely harmful to public schools by limiting badly needed funding for schools. We believe there must be a more progressive taxation system that both provides relief for struggling homeowners and protects our children’s public schools. Are you in favor of a property tax cap? _____ Yes ______No Are you in favor of a circuit breaker? _____Yes ____No
Are you in favor of another alternative?
If the legislature enacts a property tax cap, what will you as a legislator do to protect school funding?
8. Is there anything else Education Voters of New York should know about you and your record on education?
Signature ___________________________________ Date __________________
Candidates for Office, download the Questionaire here.
NY EdPAC, the New York political committee of Education Voters of New York, is an independent political voice that is turning public demand for excellent public education policies into political action. We are helping elect pro-public education candidates and then holding them responsible for the quality of schools they are creating. NY EdPAC is currently considering our endorsements for the 2008 election cycle.
Candidate Questionnaire
1. In 2007, the State Legislature agreed to an historic four year increase in education funding as part of its compliance with the court order in the Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit. The 2008/2009 fiscal year will be the third year of this four year increase. The forecast for next year’s budget is worsening, and the projected deficits are likely to be large Education Voters of New York believes that a child’s education should not be tied to the vagaries of the economy and that regardless of an economic down turn, school funding must be kept a priority. We believe the promised funding increase – which is just beginning to address decades of underfunding – must be maintained. Would you, if elected, keep New York State’s promise to fully fund the education budget increase in Fiscal Years 2008/2009 and 2009/2010? ____Yes ____No
2. Most people recognize that creating excellent schools does not end at increasing the education budget. We must do more to create a system of accountability that ensures our increased investment will improve student learning. Education Voters of New York has supported the Contracts for Excellence, which were developed to tie foundation aid to critical program areas such as class size reduction, teacher and principal quality, school restructuring, and more time on task. Do you support the Contracts for Excellence? ____Yes ____No
If so, do you believe the Contracts should be expanded to include more schools? ____Yes ____No
3. Increasingly, students are struggling to pay for college. Tuitions at state and private institutions have risen, while wages have not kept pace. What are some ways the State Legislature can help make college more affordable so that income is not a barrier to those seeking a higher education?
4. New York City’s structure of Mayoral Control has been controversial since the NYS Legislature in 2003 granted Mayor Bloomberg full control over and responsibility for NYC’s 1500 public schools. As the law sunsets in 2009, the New York State Legislature has an opportunity to revisit Mayoral Control and either renew it, eliminate it or alter it. Education Voters of New York believes that while the jury is still out on the total effectiveness of Mayoral Control, we at the very least need to create far more accountability than what currently exists in this system. How would you reform Mayoral Control to include more measures of accountability, public involvement, and a system of checks and balances?
5. New York State ranks 41st nationally in high school graduation rates. Large high schools, some with more than 1,000 students, have proven ineffective at serving low-performing, underserved minority communities. Students in overcrowded schools struggle with little individualized attention, limited resources, and inadequate academic support. Education Voters of New York believes that one way to transform ineffective high schools is by creating high-performing small learning communities. This has already been done in dozens of schools around the state. With a commitment of just $30 million, we can transform the 150 lowest ranking high schools. Would you commit to including in the NYS 2008/2009 budget a funding line of $30 million to be applied toward creating small learning communities in the 150 lowest ranking high schools? ______Yes ______No
6. Education Voters of New York believes that an excellent education is a well-rounded education. With the recent emphasis on test scores driving curriculum, other critical pieces of a child’s educational experience have diminished at alarming rates. We believe that arts education, physical activity and access to after school programs are essential to developing the whole child. What measures can the state legislature take to ensure that these educational components are treated as core programs rather than as optional ones?
7. Whichever way we look at it, taxes fund our public school system. While a property tax cap is popular amongst the public, Education Voters of New York is concerned that a property tax cap can be extremely harmful to public schools by limiting badly needed funding for schools. We believe there must be a more progressive taxation system that both provides relief for struggling homeowners and protects our children’s public schools. Are you in favor of a property tax cap? _____ Yes ______No Are you in favor of a circuit breaker? _____Yes ____No
Are you in favor of another alternative?
If the legislature enacts a property tax cap, what will you as a legislator do to protect school funding?
8. Is there anything else Education Voters of New York should know about you and your record on education?
Signature ___________________________________ Date __________________
Candidates for Office, download the Questionaire here.