Assembly Passes Sweeping Education Reforms

Overhaul aids New York State’s application for Race to the Top funding

May 28, 2010

Albany – Assemblymember Kevin Cahill (D-Ulster, Dutchess) announced that the Assembly has passed legislation to significantly reform the New York State’s charter school system. The legislation raises the cap on charter schools which will solidify New York as one of the nation’s most competitive applicants for federal funding under the Race to the Top grant program in time for the June 1 deadline.

“Race to the Top funding will help us increase the quality of our education system while relieving pressure on property taxes,” said Assemblymember Cahill. “This legislation puts New York in an advantageous position to receive federal funding at a time when our state is struggling with unprecedented budget shortfalls.”

The legislation creates a new request for proposals process for the creation of 260 new charter schools. The new system favors applications which best respond to certain Race to the Top objectives such as increasing high school graduation rates and addressing student achievement gaps in reading, language arts and mathematics. Requests for proposals for new charter schools would be issued by the Board of Regents and SUNY trustees after undergoing public review.

“Transparency and accountability are central to ensuring our children get a quality education,” said Assemblymember Cahill. “This legislation gives the State Comptroller auditing power over charter schools, addresses existing achievement gaps and requires charter schools to serve children with special needs.”

Additionally, the legislation would:

• Institute a four-year period over which the 260 new charter schools would be created;
• Prohibit for-profit organizations from operating or managing any new charter schools;
• Ensure that charter schools serve more children with disabilities, English language learners and free- and reduced-price lunch program participants;
• Require the chancellor to develop building usage plans for fair allocation and usage of space;
• Require matching capital improvements to the traditional public school portion of a building when such an improvement is made in excess of $5,000 to the co-located charter school;
• Authorize the State Comptroller to audit charter schools at his or her discretion; and
• Increase accountability by establishing new disclosure and ethics provisions.

The Assembly also passed legislation to provide financial support for a state longitudinal data system to measure long-term student achievement (A.11309). Earlier this week, the Assembly passed legislation enhancing the statewide evaluation system for teachers and principals (A.11171).

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