A new year is upon us, and while many of us feel uncertain about the future, we know that when the education community comes together to solve problems, we create change.
As I look back on EdTrust-New York’s impact over the years, our story highlights the power of statewide connections — uniting parent organizers, civil rights groups, business leaders, and legislators to drive equity in our education systems.
I’m looking forward to a year of engaging our partners, parent and student leaders, education leaders, and more to work toward a more equitable education system in New York. This legislative session, our agenda includes continuing the fight to improve literacy outcomes, ensuring equitable school funding, enacting poverty-reduction policies to increase economic stability for families, and much more.
As the inauguration approaches, the threats to education are real — from funding cuts and deportation fears affecting immigrant families to the undermining of lessons on American history and the rollback of vital civil rights protections for students. New York’s policymakers, education leaders, and advocates must take the lead nationally and commit to protecting and creating equitable opportunities for our students and families. EdTrust-New York is ready to support this effort.
I know the solutions that will move New York forward are strongest when they are collectively developed, so please reach out if you would like to connect about our work.
Thank you for helping us end 2024 stronger and reimagining what education looks like. Our impact to date is thanks to advocates like you. We will continue to unapologetically make the case for doing what is right for Black, Latinx, Native American, students from low-income backgrounds, immigrant students, and students who are underserved by our state’s education system.
In partnership,
Arlen Benjamin-Gomez
Executive Director, EdTrust-New York
