A deal reached between legislative leaders and Governor Andrew Cuomo would increase funding for education by nearly $1 billion. Some of the money would be used to advance several initiatives announced by Cuomo earlier in the year.
According to the Governor's office, the increase would include $25 million for full-day pre-k in "low wealth" school districts.
Alliance For Quality Education Executive Director Billy Easton points out the funding would cover 5,000 children out of more than two million statewide.
"We take our hat off to Governor Cuomo and his education commission for proposing this," said Easton. "It should really be viewed as a pilot program that we are going to expand."
The deal also would provide $15 million for transforming schools in distressed areas into community hubs where afterschool programs and social, health and other services would be provided to support students and their families. But Easton cautions.
"There's a lot of details that haven't been released yet," said Easton. "Making sure it all gets into the classroom."
If approved, the new state budget would also allocate $20 million for extending learning time in districts interested in the program.
Other funding would also be available for rewarding high-performing teachers and establishing a bar exam for teachers.