Education

Theological Reflection

·       All persons have dignity and deserve to share society’s resources in an equitable manner.

·       The preparation of children for meaningful life is a societal responsibility.

·       Because public education is a basic system without which equal opportunity cannot be realized, government  becomes the primary
        resource through which equal opportunity and therefore human dignity can be realized.

Background

·       The New York State Court of Appeals in Campaign for Fiscal Equity vs. State (CFE decision) says that all children are entitled by the state
        constitution to a sound basic education – key components of which are:

        ·       high-quality teaching

        ·       small class size

        ·       adequate supplies, textbooks, libraries and computers

·       The Court required New York State to

        ·       determine the costs of adequately providing these components,

        ·       reform the funding system so all New York City public schools have the necessary resources to pay for them

        ·       establish a reliable accountability mechanism for tracking improvements

        .

·       When New York State failed to produce an adequate  plan in 2004, a panel of judicial referees was appointed by the Court to make
        recommendations.

·       Following that panel’s recommendations, the Court recently (February 2005) ordered New York State to provide specific operation and
       capital resources for the New York City schools.  The Governor is appealing that ruling.

·       Many other school districts in the state have similar problems of inadequate resources.  Small upstate cities have filed suits.

What would help

·       Statewide school funding reform which meets the following criteria:

        ·       Adequate funding for every school in the state;

        ·       Accountability;

        ·       Sustained, stable, and predictable funding;

        ·       A simple and transparent system; and

        ·       An increased state share of education spending.

·       Inclusion of funding for “phase in” included in the 2005-06 state fiscal year to address the most urgent priorities of schools

·       A multi-year process of fulfilling the mandates of the Court of Appeals decision .

                                                5/2005