Better and more equitable funding. Many of the worst performing schools are the lowest funded schools. Without the money to afford provide adequate school supplies and trained staff, many schools cannot perform adequately.

 Smaller class sizes. Research suggests that smaller class sizes do much to improve the learning experience of our kids. A higher ratio of teachers to students allows the teachers to give greater attention to the problems of their students, who test higher as a result.

 Better trained and better paid teachers. Many New York City teachers have not received certification because they have failed to pass the basic tests for certification. Many skilled and valued New York City teachers leave the city because they can get better pay in suburban schools or outside the profession. We believe that in order to provide quality education, we need to spend the money to hire and train quality teachers. It is estimated that we will need 54,000 new teachers in the next five years.

 Better trained and better paid administrators. In the discussion of quality teachers, we believe it is also important to assure that the administrative staff is connected to the life of the school, providing support and guidance to teachers and support staff.

 Voucher programs. The idea behind voucher programs is that students who cannot find a quality education in the public schools can get part of their tuition to a private school from the government. Not only does this take money away from the public schools, it takes away some of the best students from the public school system as well. It also ends up funding private and religious schools with public money. We should solve the problems with the public schools, not throw up our hands and give public money to private institutions.

 Charter schools. Similarly, charter schools, often privately owned and operated, are given public license to teach our students without the limitations provided by the public school system. While this can lead to innovative solutions in the field of education, it can also lead to students being taught with no standard at all, or an unacceptable standard. We oppose them unless they are publicly owned and operated.