School receivership misses the point, more state aid critical

ALBANY, N.Y. July 16, 2015 — New York State United Teachers today said identifying 144 schools for receivership does not address the root causes of why some schools struggle and said the $75 million in state grants designed to spur school turnaround efforts falls short of what's needed.

"The entire conversation is the wrong one for New York state to be having," said NYSUT President Karen E. Magee. "Teachers in these new 'receivership' schools are as highly skilled, dedicated and as passionate about teaching and learning as teachers anywhere. What has been sorely lacking are the resources and support they need to provide equal opportunity for every child. Receivership is nothing but the state shifting the blame and attention from its own failures, over decades, to properly support students and educators in these schools."

NYSUT said the education funding data supports that point.  In the 17 school districts with schools named as facing receivership, the state owes a cumulative $2.67 billion in promised Foundation Aid funding.  In addition, the 17 districts are still contributing $95 million to the state to fund the Gap Elimination Adjustment, even though the state no longer has a funding gap. The most 'affluent' of the 17districts NYSUT said, has 63 percent of its students living in poverty (see chart below).

NYSUT Vice President Catalina Fortino said the union will continue to work collaboratively with its local affiliates, the State Education Department and Regents to promote promising new ideas, such as community schools, and to use research-based practices and ongoing professional development — as well as advocating for additional state funding — to ensure all students have the opportunities they deserve. She noted the $75 million in state grants to support schools facing receivership is inadequate.

 "NYSUT is deeply committed to the success of every student. All students, no matter their ZIP code, deserve the necessary time, support and tools to learn at high levels. NYSUT will be looking critically at SED's proposals and will be advocating for what is needed," Fortino said. "But, the state should be acknowledging the truth: Outside receivers aren't the solution. The solution is for the state to finally address the root causes of poverty and under-achievement in education by investing more in its high-needs school districts. That's how the state can ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed."

Fortino noted that NYSUT has already held a statewide meeting to provide support and information to educators in school districts that may face receivership.

State Aid Owed to Schools Facing Receivership

*Percentage of students qualifying for a free- or reduced price lunch.

New York State United Teachers is a statewide union with more than 600,000 members in education, human services and health care. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.