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"There's a reason why the teachers' union has spent $60 million in Albany over the past five years: to get politicians like Andrea Stewart-Cousins to put their interests over the hundreds of thousands of kids victimized by a failing system. In Yonkers, 4 out of 5 students cannot read or do math on grade level -- they need a Senator, too. Governor Cuomo's plan will give our best teachers $20,000 bonuses, will cover tuition to get the best and brightest into our classrooms, and will increase funding for all children. Governor Cuomo is fighting for kids; Senator Stewart-Cousins should too."

-- Tenicka Boyd, public school parent and StudentsFirstNY Director of Organizing

MEMORANDUM

TO:  All Interested Parties 

FROM:  Jenny Sedlis, Executive Director, StudentsFirstNY

DATE: January 21st, 2015

RE:  Governor Cuomo’s Promise to Put New York Students First in 2015

"The Governor's State of the State Address is a blueprint for turning around New York's broken education system. It takes an enormous amount of courage to stand up to entrenched special interests, but if we're going to improve schools we have to be willing to challenge the status quo with bold reform. Governor Cuomo clearly understands what's at stake and has been undaunted in advocating on behalf of New York students."

-- Jenny Sedlis, StudentsFirstNY Executive Director

New York, NY — StudentsFirstNY today released an ad addressing the dire need for fundamental reform of the education system. The ad will air on broadcast and cable in Albany and New York City in the lead up to and following the Governor's State of the State address.

SED Letter Provides Useful Ideas for Improving Schools

"New York City's results prove that Governor Cuomo's evaluation system measures teacher effectiveness when implemented in good faith — making it a critical tool to improve schools for kids.  Unfortunately, most districts and unions across the state set the bar so low that nearly 60% of teachers got the highest rating when only a third of students read and do math at grade level.  Albany must act to strengthen the system to live up to its promise, and Mayor de Blasio must develop a plan to reward our best teachers and improve the worst immediately."

-- Jenny Sedlis, StudentsFirstNY Executive Director

John King is leaving behind an extraordinary legacy. John King showed that if you raise standards in a smart way, students will rise to the challenge. It's no wonder he's been tapped for a national post. New York's loss is the nation's gain. John King is one of the most respected educators in the country and will build on his New York successes.

         -- Jenny Sedlis, Executive Director, StudentsFirstNY

New York has raised the bar for teachers. Those who attain certification under this more rigorous process are more likely to find a job, principals have a better pool of candidates to choose from, and students will be taught by better teachers. In addition, increased accountability for education schools will ensure that these institutions provide the best training possible for the next generation of teachers.

-- Jenny Sedlis, Executive Director, StudentsFirstNY

In Senate races all across the state, voters chose a balanced Albany and more importantly, they chose a State Senate that will put the interests of students ahead of the demands of the teachers' unions.

Imposing a three-year moratorium on closures and adding social services to 5% of schools will not bring about the kind of scalable, system-wide changes parents and advocates are desperately hoping for.