Transcript and video of remarks at ABNY: http://advocate.nyc.gov/our-future
Fact sheet: http://advocate.nyc.gov/files/DeBlasioEducationInvestmentFactSheet.pdf
NEW YORK—Public Advocate Bill de Blasio outlined a comprehensive plan today to begin early education for all New York City children at age four, and to extend learning time for middle schoolers with innovative after-school programs. In remarks to the Association for a Better New York, de Blasio called for deeper investments in education critical to the city’s economic competitiveness and a necessary support for families working in the 21st century economy. The plan would permanently close the gap of nearly 50,000 four-year-olds underserved by the current system, and would extend learning time between 3 and 6 p.m. for 120,000 middle school students.
To fund these efforts, the plan calls for a time-limited, five-year increase in New York City income tax applied to income above $500,000—dedicated solely to early education and after-school programming. According to the Independent Budget Office, the surcharge would generate $532 million per year. The increase would require State approval.
“For our kids compete and become the workforce we need, our mantra has to be learning earlier and learning longer. For parents, this means that at age four the wheels automatically start turning on your child’s education. And it means that they have a safe, productive place to go every day during those transformative middle school years,” said Public Advocate Bill de Blasio. “This is our economic future, and we cannot get there with half-measures and one-offs We’re asking those who are doing well to help jumpstart this transformation so young people can have a better shot at succeeding.”
In a statement of support, the Campaign for Children said, “Following the City Council and Administration’s historic restoration of $150 million to the child care and after-school systems in the 2012 budget, we are thrilled to see our elected leaders continuing to prioritize the expansion and improvement of these essential systems. We applaud Public Advocate de Blasio for today putting forward a bold, expansive, fully funded plan to ensure quality pre-K and after-school for many of New York's children. We look forward to working with the Public Advocate, City Council, Mayor and other elected officials to develop a plan to make long-term investments in stable, reliable and sustainable systems for New York's children and families.”
“Better educational opportunities for our children should be the first budget priority for New York City, and I applaud the Public Advocate for coming with a bold plan to help our children and our schools succeed,” said United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew.
De Blasio’s Plan for Learning Earlier, Learning Longer
Make Pre-K truly universal for all four-year-olds by:
- Adding 10,000 new Pre-K seats for those shut out of current programs
- Expanding all part-time Pre-K to full time for 38,000 four-year-olds
Extend learning time from 3-6 p.m. for middle schoolers by:
- Awarding school-based grants to build out additional learning periods after school, using community-based organizations to supplement the curriculum.
- Reaching 120,000 middle schoolers—the students not reached by current programming.
Fund these investments through a temporary surcharge on New Yorkers doing well by:
- Increasing the NYC tax rate on income over $500,000 from 3.876% to 4.3% for five years.
- Dedicating 100% of revenue to Early Education and after-school programming
- This increase is smaller and starts at a higher income level than past City surcharges applied during 1991-1998 and 2003-2005.
Learn more about the plan: http://advocate.nyc.gov/our-future
