Hi John,
Last week the Rockefeller Institute wrapped up its in-person hearings, but it isn’t too late to make your voice heard! You can still submit your written testimony until September 6. Use our resources to help you craft your testimony. We need students, parents, teachers, and community members to share how Foundation Aid has impacted classrooms and communities.
During this past month’s hearings, many members of our community shared powerful testimonies. Kayla, AQE’s Programs and Training Associate and a parent with three children in Albany public schools, described how the current system fails to meet the needs of Black and brown students facing challenges like housing and food insecurity. Kaiser, our New York City Organizer, highlighted persistent disparities due to the state's failure to fully fund the Foundation Aid formula until this past autumn, calling for an updated formula that reflects the true cost of education in 2024. Niasha, a community organizer in Buffalo, emphasized the urgent need for restorative justice and mental health services in the wake of the pandemic, sharing stories of students with critical needs who still lack adequate support.
