We need to continually reach out to others to accomplish our very important work. Parents as Partners was the theme for the weekend of February 27 - 28. New York State s Comptroller s Office, New York State United Teachers, the State Department of Education, the Healthy Schools Network, the Attorney General s Office and the State Communities Aid Association. Attendees were somewhat disappointed to see that there were very few disagreements on this panel. I believe the reason there were so few disagreements is because there is so much at stake now that petty differences must be put aside.
Public education is under constant attack.
Vouchers, charter schools and other destructive means are eating away at the very fabric of our educational system. We must all work together to solve these problems. Our children, our future, are at stake. Our state legislators received many visits from our members who carried the message that we needed more funds to ensure the success of the higher standards. We are very excited about the fact that our children will be held to these standards, but they need the funds to ensure that they will meet and exceed them.