Assemblymember Harry B. Bronson (D-Rochester/Chili/Henrietta) announced the final state budget increases school aid by $¬36 million over last year for schools in the 138th Assembly District, which is an overall increase of 6.25%.

“Adequately funding our schools is fundamental to a high-quality education. By increasing aid this year, we are providing local teachers and students with the tools they need to develop and grow,” Assemblymember Bronson said.

Total education aid would grow $1.1 billion over last year’s budget, which is $551 million more than what Governor Cuomo proposed. Included within this increase is a $602 million restoration to the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) and $250 million in additional funding for Foundation Aid. The budget also awards the Rochester City School District with $1.2 million to hire more school nurses, Assemblymember Bronson noted.

“The greatest investment we can make is in our children and an increase in school aid displays a commitment to that principle,” Assemblymember Bronson said. “Ensuring that our young people get the education they deserve, and their schools receive the resources to provide a quality education is my top priority.”

Common Core reform

While the State Education Department works on resolving issues with the implementation of Common Core education standards, the 2014-15 state budget aims to protect students from the negative effects testing may have on their education record, something the Assembly has already proposed and passed. Students in grades K-2 will not have to take standardized tests, and test results for students in grades 3-8 will not become part of their permanent record.

Other Common Core reforms included in the state budget also:

• prevent Common Core test scores from being the only factor determining grade promotion;
• create “Parents Bill of Rights,” which aims to protects all student information from being shared with third-party vendors;
• eliminate the use of inBloom, and requires State Education Department to remove all student information already provided to inBloom;
• direct State Education Department to provide useful tools, resources and materials to assist teachers in a timely fashion.

“Common Core standards were meant to improve the quality of education our students receive,” Assemblymember Bronson said. “Unfortunately, the faulty implementation of the curriculum in our schools has prevented us from achieving this goal. After hearing concerns from parents and teachers, the state budget includes comprehensive reforms to lessen the burden of Common Core testing on our students.”

Support for Libraries

The budget secures an additional $5 million in funding for public libraries across the state, a much needed boost for these institutions. Libraries have been struggling to maintain high-quality services after years of budget cuts.

“Libraries across Monroe County provide invaluable resources to our local communities and I have continuously fought for them to be adequately funded,” Assemblyman Bronson said. “These additional resources will help public libraries serve as an outlet for people of all ages.”

“This $5 million in additional funding is a small step in the right direction,” Assemblymember Bronson said. “However I do believe that a larger increase is needed so that libraries can continue their contribution to our communities.”

Recognizing the value of community colleges

The budget highlights the state’s continued commitment to higher education with an increase in support to $2,497 per-full time equivalent (FTE) student at SUNY community colleges. The base aid increase is $75 per-FTE student, which is the third consecutive increase for community colleges. This growth will directly benefit Monroe County Community College in their efforts to provide in-demand job skills training to students.

“Monroe Community College plays a vital role in keeping college affordable and advancing job training opportunities in our area,” Assemblymember Bronson said. “An increase in state support will help MCC continue its contribution.”

Providing further support for these institutions, this year’s budget increases capital spending at community colleges by $81 million across the state. Of that increase, Monroe County Community College will receive $7.6 million for library restoration and improvements on its downtown campus.

“Increasing capital funding fulfills the state’s commitment to community colleges and solidifies their role in New York’s educational system,” Assemblymember Bronson said. “We cannot expect these colleges to educate our students without providing them with the infrastructure to do so first.”

Increasing TAP, keeping college affordable

To help students afford the rising cost of college, the budget increases funding for TAP for the first time in 14 years. The maximum TAP award will be increased by $165 for a maximum award of $5,165 per full-time equivalent (FTE) student.

“Surpassing $1 trillion, cumulative student loan debt has become a crisis in this country,” Assemblymember Bronson said. “We must find ways to make college more affordable or we risk subjecting generations of students to massive debt loads. Increasing TAP is a step in that direction.”