FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Statement of the 鶹 on Recent Executive Orders Concerning Public Education
New York’s Constitution guarantees a system of public schools “wherein all the children of this state may be educated.” Our State only began to take that command seriously in 1954, when the Supreme Court held that separate schools for African American children were inherently unequal. Since then, Congress has protected and prioritized historically neglected students through legislation such as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. These laws recognize and celebrate personal, social, and economic differences. They are models of strength through diversity.
Recent executive orders issued by the President are antithetical to this tradition. They are also ineffective, as the President has a constitutional duty to “take care that the laws be faithfully executed.” This means the President cannot decide which laws to enforce or funds to distribute. It’s also why two federal courts immediately enjoined the President’s attempt to “freeze” federal funds.
The Board and the Department remain committed to the inherent dignity and worth of every child. As such, we denounce the intolerant rhetoric of these orders. Our children cannot thrive in an environment of chaos; they need steady and stable leadership that we will endeavor to provide.
Statement of the 鶹 on Recent Executive Orders Concerning Public Education - Arabic
Statement of the 鶹 on Recent Executive Orders Concerning Public Education - Bengali
Statement of the 鶹 on Recent Executive Orders Concerning Public Education - French
Statement of the 鶹 on Recent Executive Orders Concerning Public Education - Haitian-Creole
Statement of the 鶹 on Recent Executive Orders Concerning Public Education - Italian
Statement of the 鶹 on Recent Executive Orders Concerning Public Education - Korean
Statement of the 鶹 on Recent Executive Orders Concerning Public Education - Polish
Statement of the 鶹 on Recent Executive Orders Concerning Public Education - Russian
Statement of the 鶹 on Recent Executive Orders Concerning Public Education - (Simplified) Chinese
Statement of the 鶹 on Recent Executive Orders Concerning Public Education - Spanish
Statement of the 鶹 on Recent Executive Orders Concerning Public Education - Urdu
Statement of the 鶹 on Recent Executive Orders Concerning Public Education - Yiddish
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