The DOE has proposed a Contracts for Excellence spending plan to the State Education department that is completely inadequate to provide an equitable or adequate education to NYC kids -- contrary to the intent of the law, which was passed to fulfill the goals of the CFE lawsuit. The DOE claims that the state has allocated no more funding to the program, though NYC is getting $538 million more as a result of CFE.

No funds are specifically targeted towards lowering class size, though this was a central issue that led the state's highest court to find NYC kids deprived of their constitutional right to an adequate education. And if principals choose to use part of these funds to hire extra teachers to lower class size, they have to spend 40% more than they usually would, as they have to cover the pension and benefits which are usually paid for centrally. Additional concerns are are expressed in this memo sent to NY State Education Department by Class Size Matters, AQE and the Ed Law Center last month.  

Please send your own letters today; they will be copied to the State Ed Commissioner and your State Legislators as well in hope that they will take appropriate action. The public comment period ends on Sept. 3. Thanks!