Thank you for the opportunity to present the views of New York City Americans for Democratic Action on the Preliminary Recommendations of the NYC Charter Commission. I am Evelyn Jones Rich and serve as NYC ADA's Education Committee Chair.

 

NYC ADA is the local affiliate of Americans for Democratic Action, an independent, liberal political organization, founded in 1947, and dedicated to promoting individual liberty and economic justice. Our founders included Eleanor Roosevelt, John Kenneth Galbraith, and former Vice President Hubert Humphrey. Distinguished New Yorkers including Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. and Stanley Lowell are current members.

 

NYC ADA is testifying here this evening, consistent with our involvement in issues which affect both governance and the quality of life for all New Yorkers. The proposal to amend the City Charter to include in the expense budget a unit of appropriation to the office of the mayor equal to one percent of the annual city funded expense budget of the Board of Education is a veiled effort to provide public funds to support private and parochial schools. We oppose funding private and parochial schools beyond the limits of New York State and federal courts.

 

We oppose such funding on several grounds:

 

First, public schools remain the bulwark of a free, democratic society. The creation of public education in the Northwest Ordinance of 1784 codified early beliefs and commitments that free education provided the soil in which a democratic society could and would nurture itself. The expansion of public schools in the 1840's brought Horace Mann's dream of empowering citizens to greater fruition. Allocations of public funds for education in private and parochial schools -- apart from transportation, breakfast, lunch, and instructional materials -- compromise and ultimately reject the foundation on which our society rests.

 

Secondly, the role of the Board of Education in administering public schools is a part of our nation's fabric. Across our nation Boards of Education are held accountable and responsible for the performance of the public schools. Mayors and governors come and go but Boards of Education remain inextricably connected with our public schools.

 

Thus, despite the assertion that these funds would be used to create and implement innovative programs, their expenditure -- whatever the purpose -- flies in the face of public policy and the long standing practice of holding a Board of Education accountable for public education.

 

Across New York City parents, faculty, staff and students all recognize that increased expenditures are required if our public schools are to meet the new standards promulgated by the NYS Board of Regents, Clearly, analysis of the results of the state-wide 4th grade reading test shows that NYC public school students have performed at a level comparable to (indeed, in some cases, surpassing) their private and parochial counterparts. This is not to suggest satisfaction with the overall level of performance of either public or private schools.

 

There is universal agreement that our schools must be improved. Additional funding should go into the public schools to design and implement innovative programs, as well as to support successful on-going programs rather than setting monies much aside for the Mayor to do so.

 

NYC ADA is one of more than 100 organizations which actively opposed Mayor Giuliani's efforts to allocate $4 million dollars in the FY 2000 expense budget for vouchers. Surprising no one, the Mayor does not give up easily. This newest proposal would provide up to $52 million for a voucher initiative.

 

First, such an allocation gives the Mayor duties and responsibilities which belong legally and morally to the Board of Education and clearly undermine public schools.

 

Secondly, it is clear that the Mayor seeks to provide funding outside of the Board of Education for vouchers enabling public school students to attend private and parochial schools. Regardless of whether the funds go to the parent or the school, the funds belong within the public school system where expenditures are open to the public and those who expend them are held accountable. Although these are public funds, nowhere in the narrative supporting the proposal is there mention of provisions for oversight and evaluation of the funds spent.

 

NYC ADA has detailed our opposition to vouchers enabling public school students to attend private and parochial schools elsewhere. Let me quickly summarize those arguments.

 

Vouchers:

 

1. Take limited resources away from public schools;

 

2. Do not result in higher levels of academic performance;

 

3. Require parents to support religious education for their children attending parochial schools;

 

4. Deny students left behind the opportunity to interact with peers across diverse social, ethnic, racial and economic lines;

 

5. Require parents to supplement voucher stipends;

 

6. Shore up financially troubled private and parochial schools;

 

7. Provide little evidence that funds are used responsibly or effectively.

 

We can improve our schools with increased funding, better trained teachers, expanded choice opportunities and increased parent involvement.

 

The time has come for those who lead our City, be they Board of Education Chancellor, Mayor, or public citizens seeking to amend the NYC Charter in an off-year election to act as true leaders, working together for the benefit of our children. Strengthened public schools will serve us all. NYC ADA urges you to reject this divisive proposal which undermines public schools. To the question, should an amount equal to one percent of the City funded portion of the Education operating expense budget be provided for educational initiatives to be implemented and administered separately from the New York City Board of Education, we say a resounding NO!

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