New Yorkers are facing higher taxes and fees and more and more cuts to critical services thanks to a looming $9.2 billion budget deficit. At a time when New Yorkers are already feeling the financial strain of the grim budget crisis — from their pocketbooks to their children’s classrooms — the legislature has been given a rare opportunity to help relieve the pressure by passing legislation that would allow New York to receive $700 million in new, federal Race to the Top funding.

If the legislature fails to do what it takes to qualify for this critical new funding, students across the state will suffer. Failing to take the basic steps to qualify for the new federal money by instituting basic reforms like lifting the cap on charter schools and providing equitable funding for all public schools is worse than looking a gifthorse in the mouth — it’s spitting in the face of the millions of New Yorkers who work hard, pay their taxes, play by the rules, and expect their elected officials to do the same.

Quick Links about Race To The Top:

The Obama Administration has committed more than $4 billion to the “Race to the Top” competition, designed to spur systemic reform and embrace innovative approaches to teaching and learning in America’s schools. [The White House]

The US Department of Education announced that awards in Race to the Top will go to States that are leading the way with ambitious yet achievable plans for implementing coherent, compelling, and comprehensive education reform. [US Dept. of Education]

In July 2009, President Obama and Education Secretary Duncan announced a national competition for states to lead the way in school reforms, backed by historic levels of financial support [US Dept. of Education]

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