"Every child deserves equal access to an excellent education. That means using our government's resources to close gaps, not create them; to raise student achievement for all and not just for some."
- Maria DeWald, New York State Parent Teachers Association
"What is the priority? Funding vouchers for a select group of students or providing the funds needed for all of the public schools throughout the state?"
- Michael Davoli, Alliance for Quality Education
The voucher movement undermines the accountability and higher standards we demand of our public schools.
- Richard C. Iannuzzi , President, New York State United Teachers
"This proposal has no accountability whatsoever. There is nothing to show what you do will improve kids."
- Dave Little
, New York State School Boards Association
"It's the height of hypocrisy to break out a shell game voucher plan that only gives false hope and bogus promises to parents who want a greater investment in public education for their children."
- Edward McCormick, New York State Educational Conference Board
"Diverting money from public education for vouchers will drive up local property taxes for suburban homeowners who won't benefit from this."
- Edward McCormick, New York State Educational Conference Board
"Instead of tackling the achievement gap head on, the proposed executive budget is dismantling our public schools. It is resorting to gimmicks and schemes that hurt the vast majority of our children and families."
- Maria Neira, First Vice President, New York State United Teachers
"Who will provide oversight? We are much better off investing our taxpayers' hard-earned money in a system in which certified teachers teach students, and oversight is provided by elected school boards, the State Education Department, and the state Board of Regents."
- Timothy G. Kremer, New York State School Boards Association
"It's a $400 million gift from the taxpayers of New York state to families who don't need it."
- Timothy G. Kremer, New York State School Boards Association
"This is $400 million that would provide little help to the neediest families, that would not be available for property tax relief, that would not be spent with the accountability demanded of public schools, and that would not be used to keep the promise of a sound basic education for every child."
- Thomas Rogers, New York State Council of School Superintendents
"Our children are better served if the state uses its resources to properly fund public education rather than diluting the educational system with a voucher system."
- George Perry, New York State Association of School Business Officials
