The LEAD Coalition was established to narrow the achievement gap of Latinx and other students of color. The goal of the coalition is to increase the educational profile of Latinx children and youth and the conditions they face in public education.
The coalition will also develop a multifaceted reform agenda to catalyze changes aimed at enhancing New York State’s K-16 college access and success pipeline, thus improving the academic outcomes of Latinx and other students of color.
p-12 education
Allocate $1.4 billion in Foundation Aid Based on a Three-year Phase-in of the $4.2 Billion Owed
New York legislators should enact a commitment to fund the Campaign for Fiscal Equity, beginning with allocating $1.4 billion in Foundation Aid for 2018-2019. Currently, New York State ranks second in the nation regarding the largest spending gap between wealthy and poor districts, with a gap of $9,796 per student between rich and poor schools in New York State.
Allocate $92 million in Funding to Meet the Needs of English Language Learners
Foundation Aid Setaside for ELLs: $85 million English language learner setaside, which accelerates additional Foundation Aid to districts with ELL-driven formula aid.
Expand Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network (RBERN) Supports: $1.6 million in ESSA Plan to expand RBERNs’ ability to support Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to increase the English language proficiency and academic content gains of English language learners/Multilingual learners (ELLs/MLLs), as well as to reduce dropout rates and increase graduation rates.
Develop a Spanish Language Arts Test Development and Exam Translations: $4.43 million in new funding to support a Spanish Language Arts test development ($3.43 million) and translation of all required state assessments into the State’s eight most common home foreign languages ($1 million).
Address the Shortage of Bilingual Education Teachers: $770,000 in ESSA Plan to expand the Clinically Rich Intensive Teacher Institute that provides graduate students the opportunity to receive certification in English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and/or to complete the requirements for the Bilingual Extension (BE). The program’s objective is to supply LEAs with highly qualified and certified teachers to serve their ELL/MLL population.
Fully fund the New York State Board of Regents ESSA budget request of $29 million
It is important that the state maintain high standards, and by funding the ESSA Plan, New York State would allow these thoughtfully identified initiatives to be implemented, potentially having a tremendous positive impact on achievement and helping close the achievement gap statewide. Some of the initiatives of importance to the coalition include the following.
Support Improved School Climates: $10 million to promote positive school climate and bullying prevention.
Increase College Readiness: $3 million to expand access to quality high-level coursework.
Support Teacher Development: $2.9 million to provide high-quality professional learning.
Increase Parent Engagement: $2.5 million to create a parent-friendly data dashboard through presentation of important information about school and district performance in a transparent, easily understand way.
Support Legislation that Supports a Culturally Responsive Education
Support programs that increase teacher diversity, provide anti-bias training for teachers, and the creation of a culturally relevant curriculum. Training and curriculum that provides an inclusive and welcoming culture that engages the diversity of students across the state is long overdue.
Culturally Responsive Professional Development and Anti-bias Training Opportunities Legislation
A04710A, Rodriguez and S05589, Hamilton “Requires NYSED to establish professional development programs in culturally responsive instruction and provide access to those programs on its website.”
Culturally Relevant Curriculum
S03111, Parker and A03292, Solanges “Provides that all schools shall have a multi-cultural curriculum.”
Allocate $50 Million to Expand Community Schools and Renew $150 Million in Existing Community Schools Funding
Community schools work to address the child as a whole, providing wraparound services that ultimately impact student performance. Over the past few years, the community school movement has gained momentum, especially in schools with high needs student populations. The funds need to be sustained in order to see the long-term benefits and attain measurable, concrete outcomes.
The $50 million in new funding would allow for the expansion of community schools. Of the $150 million needed to sustain funding, $75 million would be funneled through receivership funding and another $75 million would be allocated through community school grants.
higher education
Support the DREAM Act
The New York State DREAM Act (A.9605, De La Rosa, S00471C, Peralta) would help ease the cost of higher education for children of immigrants in New York State. Passing this bill would allow undocumented students seeking to attend an institution of higher education access to state financial aid. Under the proposal, these students would be eligible for general awards, performance based awards, or the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).
The legislation would also help immigrant families prepare for the costs of higher education by allowing an individual with a taxpayer identification number to open a New York State 529 family tuition account under the New York State College Savings Program.
Allow Federal Deferred Action Program (DACA) Recipients to be Eligible for the New York State Excelsior Scholarship
This proposed legislation (A.09670, Sepulveda, S07420, Peralta) would grant college financial aid to the DACAmented without asking them for the legal status or by requiring that they first qualify for TAP, EOP or HEOP. The effective date would be immediate and would apply to undergraduate admissions to a public institution of higher education for a term or semester beginning with the 2018-2019 academic year.
Restore Opportunity Program Funding
Opportunity Programming has been proven to increase retention and graduation rates, especially for first generation college bound students. Many of these students are low-income students of color that need additional academic and financial supports and services to graduation college.
These programs include the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), Liberty Partnerships, Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP), and Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP). Opportunity programs at the community college level include the Search for Education, Elevation, and Knowledge (SEEK) and College Discovery programs.
Increasing the Maximum Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) to fully cover the cost of SUNY and CUNY tuition. There is currently a gap between the maximum tap provided and the full cost of tuition. In addition, the cost of tuition has risen $200 this year and will continue to do so for the next two years.
