Committee of 100 activists tell lawmakers, it's just not enough!
It's the pre-budget crazy season at the Capitol, as both the Senate and Assembly put together one-house budget bills and begin to negotiate with the governor for the 2019-20 state budget due April 1. It was perfect timing for NYSUT's annual Committee of 100 Lobby Day, as more than 700 educators and other staff from school districts, SUNY and CUNY campuses and community colleges came to Albany to make the case for more state support.
- If you couldn't come, use the MAC to ask lawmakers to support more funding for public education, from pre-K through higher ed.
Rochester summit focuses on how to grow, diversify profession
From fellowship programs to loan forgiveness, participants at NYSUT's “Take a Look at Teaching” summit at Monroe Community College this week brainstormed a wide variety of ideas to address the state's looming teacher shortage. The Rochester regional meeting included students, teachers, administrators and college faculty, as well as State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia.
(Photo: SUNY Brockport student Abigail St. Denis reports out on her table's discussion with Andy Jordan, a local union leader from Monroe 1 BOCES.)
Students and union leaders say: Close the TAP Gap!
Student-government leaders, union officers and more than 100 student activists rallied in the Capitol this week for public funding — not tuition increases — to improve the quality of public higher education. Together with numerous lawmakers, they called on the Legislature and the governor to close the growing TAP Gap in college revenues caused by a flaw in the state Tuition Assistance Program. (Above, from left, students Ariel Schwartz, SUNY New Paltz, and Corrinne Greene, Brooklyn College, Pallotta and Hercules Reid, CUNY Student Senate.)
More news
- As part of Women's History Month, NYSUT is promoting weekly HERstory features, like this one on longtime NYSUT activist Sylvia Matousek, who led a historic 10-day strike in 1973 and spent a week in jail. We are sad to report, she passed away Thursday night.
- Calling all SRPs! Help build the strongest Union in history. Join the NYSUT Member Organizing Institute for School-Related Professionals, March 29-31 at headquarters in Latham.
- NYSUT encourages teachers to apply for the $5,000 Empire State Excellence in Teaching awards. The deadline has been extended to March 22
- The state's Next Generation Learning Standards implementation is entering phase two, when SED is expected to provide guidance for districts on professional development.
- Educators address opioid crisis at Health and Safety conference.
- Saranac Lake's Petrova Elementary held a multicultural night to #celebrate diversity.
- Four Regents have been re-elected.
- Know your rights when it comes to opting kids out of the state tests.
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