Queens, NY – Senator Toby Ann Stavisky (D,WF-Flushing) and Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D,WF-Fresh Meadows) announced today that a record increase in education funding in the 2017-2018 State Budget will help provide much-needed investments in our public school system.

The boost in school aid funding totaling nearly $26 billion – a 4.1 percent increase over last year’s funding – was approved on Saturday as the Assembly wrapped up its budget vote, while the Senate is expected to vote for the spending plan on Sunday. In approving this funding, the legislators highlighted the significant increase of $700 million in Foundation Aid funding over last year, totaling $17.2 billion to help support the most financially struggling school districts in New York State.

Assemblywoman Nily Rozic said: “This year, the state is making the grade in its investments in education. Investing in schools is one of the most important priorities for our state, and I believe this year’s record spending on education will continue to build upon the progress we have already made in strengthening our school system.”

The projected funding increase for New York City schools is approximately 3.95 percent. The projected 2017-2018 State Aid figures for all New York school districts can be found by clicking here: http://nyassembly.gov/2017budget/budget_bills/2017_2018SchoolAidRuns.pdf.

The 2017-2018 State Budget also includes funding to further support important NYC programs in the state’s education system, including the following:

• $234,863,751 million for Universal Pre-K.
• $1.2 million for Academic Achievement Programs in New York City.
• $2 million for Advance Placement (AP) Test Assistance.
• $2 million for the Master Teachers Program.
• $300,000 for cyberbullying prevention.
• $16.7 million for Early College High School programs, which help at-risk students earn both a high school diploma and an associate degree.
• $20 million for Teacher Resource and Computer Training Centers.
• $1 million to restore funding for adult literacy education, for a total of $7.3 million.