Teach NYS, a project of the Orthodox Union, secured a historic victory for nonpublic schools in the 2018 New York State budget, which allocates $289 million in nonpublic school funding, including a record-breaking $40 million for nonpublic school security. The final budget also includes $210 million for state mandated services, $25 million for technology, $7 million for immunization, and the creation of a new reimbursement program for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) instruction funding.
Teach NYS advanced STEM and security funding as a key priority for the 2018 budget, continuously highlighting the inequity in New York’s education system for nonpublic school students. On March 1, Teach NYS brought an unprecedented group of 600-plus students, parents, teachers, and lay leaders to Albany to urge New York legislators to increase funding for nonpublic schools. Gov. Andrew Cuomo addressed the Teach NYS group and pledged his support.
Teach NYS has been on the front lines of the fight for funding equity for nonpublic schools, forcefully articulating the important role these schools play in the state’s education system.
“We are extremely grateful to Gov. Cuomo, Leader Flanagan, Speaker Heastie, and the New York legislature for making STEM education and security for nonpublic schools a priority in this year’s final budget,” said Allen Fagin, CEO of the Orthodox Union. “Next year, children in yeshivas and Jewish day schools across New York will be safer, better educated, and more secure.”
“This is truly a historic day in New York State,” said Mark Bane, President of the Orthodox Union. “All children deserve a quality education – regardless of what type of school they attend. This budget will go a long way toward ensuring that all children in New York State have the same opportunities for success.”
“Teach NYS is thankful for the legislature’s and governor’s commitment to educating all our children,” said Maury Litwack, executive director of Teach NYS, “but most of all, we are indebted to our grassroots supporters who put in the hard work to make this historic budget a reality. This budget is proof that every person can make a difference.”