“As we finally end the 2015 session, we can look back knowing that some progress has finally been made for New York’s education system. The final, major bill established a review committee that would evaluate standardized tests and assessments to...

“Earlier this week, members of the New York State Board of Regents met to discuss changes to the newly-created teacher evaluation system. The process, which has been surrounded by controversy since its introduction, has been slightly altered to allow...

“With less than 10 days to go in this year’s Legislative Session, we must take action to ease the concerns surrounding New York’s education system. Recently, seven members of the Board of Regents signed on to a letter highlighting the need to take...

Yesterday, Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) celebrated the 5th annual New York State Animal Advocacy Day. The event brought together legislators, their pets, animal advocacy groups and law enforcement officials to discuss ways that we can better...

In the remaining few weeks of this year’s Legislative Session, Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) is urging passage of legislation that would greatly benefit many veterans in his community. Ra is a co-sponsor on the legislation, known as the...

Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) and Assemblyman Gary D. Finch (R,C,I-Springport), Co-Chairmen of the Assembly Minority Task Force on School Safety, will join education, mental health and law enforcement experts, as well as other community stakeholders,...

“While I am hopeful that the New York State Education Department’s commissioner-elect, MaryEllen Elia, will bring a fresh perspective to the table, I am equally discouraged by the business-as-usual approach to selecting her for the position. This...

“I am pleased to have joined my Assembly colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass meaningful changes to the flawed education policies of recent years. The legislation (A.7303-A) would begin to correct many of the unproven reforms that were implemented...

Assemblymen Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square), Al Graf (R,C,I-Holbrook), Dave McDonough (R,C,I-Merrick) and Dean Murray (R,C,I-East Patchogue) recently introduced a Legislative Resolution urging support for efforts to reduce the annual testing mandate imposed...

Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) is announcing the 2015 Summer Reading Challenge. This program, sponsored by Ra in conjunction with New York State libraries, is designed to encourage children across the state to continue reading throughout their...

“It is discouraging that the state education department has decided upon a one-time, ‘invite only’ meeting to discuss the highly-controversial teacher evaluation process. Only 200 tickets are being distributed. “By limiting the conversation...

Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) and the Nassau County Traffic Safety Board will be conducting a car seat safety check to inform parents of the proper installation and care of car seats. This free event will be held Thursday, May 14 from 9:30 a.m....

Assemblymen, and members of the Education Committee, Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) and Dean Murray (R,C,I-East Patchogue) authored a letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan following his recent remarks suggesting a withholding of federal aid to...

Today, Common Core reform legislation (A.3656) sponsored by Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) was taken up by the Assembly Education Committee. Earlier this year, Ra, the ranking minority member on that committee, re-introduced the measure to help...

Today, Assembly Committee on Education members, Assemblymen Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) and Dean Murray (R,C,I-East Patchogue), called on the New York State Education Department (SED) to release the number of students who refused to participate in the state’s...

Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) is hosting a community Meet and Greet on Wednesday, April 29 from 7 to 8:45 p.m. at the Gold Coast Library Annex. The Library Annex is located at 40 Railroad Avenue in Glen Head. Ra is welcoming individuals to...

“I am greatly disappointed that the budget process was conducted in a business-as-usual manner. Large components of the enacted budget, especially the education reform measures, seriously missed the mark. Regretfully, we missed a valuable opportunity...

“The current Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) element of the teacher evaluation process has proven to be flawed, time and time again. I stand by my initial opposition to APPR, as many of my concerns with the system have since come to fruition....

Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) today called for a portion of funds from a recently-disclosed bank settlement to be used for local infrastructure projects on Long Island. Ra said he was disappointed with the lack of infrastructure funding provided...

Today, Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) announced that the New York Conference of Italian-American State Legislators is now accepting applications for four $2,500 scholarships to be awarded in June at Italian-American Day. Scholarship winners must...