• a $25 million increase to expand universal pre-K classes in New York City - helping the city serve an additional 7,500 4-year-olds

• a $13.8 million increase in aid for city students with limited English proficiency

• $70 million for special education to help children reach their full potential

• $10.7 million for Teacher Centers, where teachers can sharpen their skills to better help students

• $1.6 million for the Teacher Mentor Intern Program to train better teachers

In a clear victory for New York City schoolchildren, Assemblyman Michael Cusick helped negotiate a legislative budget that provides $2.6 billion to renovate and expand school buildings, providing safe, modern classrooms for our children. New York City schools will receive $1.8 billion to help modernize our schools.

The agreement also ensures that nearly $10 billion more will be invested in New York City schools to move our children’s classes out of the hallways and closets and into rooms where students can actually learn.

The investment in local schools is part of a record $1.36 billion increase in education funding over last year - helping our children succeed in a global economy. New York City schools will receive $501 million more than last year - $220 million more than the governor proposed.

To make sure tax dollars make it to the classroom, the budget doubles the money for state comptroller audits of schools, providing $2.8 million over last year to root out waste and corruption.