Universal child care depends on a workforce that shows up every day. Passing this legislation is a choice to fund care by valuing the people who provide it and the families who depend on it. Thanks to the many legislators championing these bills this session. www.investinourny.org/2026agenda

Parents, educators, community! Check out this new toolkit from PACES (Parents for AI Caution in Educational Spaces) – it offers some thoughtful, well-researched resources for anyone concerned about the impact of AI in classrooms. parentsforaicaution.com/human-center...

Governor Hochul’s executive budget address today set the stage for state budget negotiations. Upcoming one-house budgets from the State Legislature must go further to address the affordability crisis, fix structural inequities in school funding, + deliver on the promise of truly universal child care

America’s ongoing struggles around public education show how deeply learning shapes whose lives are protected and whose voices are heard. On Dr. King’s birthday, we honor what he understood education to do, cultivate critical awareness and our capacity to act and create together 🤎

Child care educators, this space is for you. Join us on Sunday, Feb 1 for a conversation exclusively for child care educators. We want to about what it means for you to do this work right now and what is making it harder for you and your peers to stay in the field. Register: bit.ly/1feb2026

@speakermenin.bsky.social where others have been silent + unwilling to listen, Chair Rita Joseph of @council.nyc.gov has time and again made space to listen to those most impacted by school policing, calling for more support staff instead of more $$$ for school cops to criminalize our kids!

In response to Governor Hochul’s State of the State – where public schools received little attention beyond some investment in math – we’re naming what it will actually take to achieve true universal child care in New York.

The child care and pre-K investments in #NYSOTS are welcome and meaningful, but universal child care won’t work without the workforce behind it. If the Governor and our state legislature is serious, we must #TaxTheRich and fund providers and educators for the long term.

Governor Hochul has acknowledged the need for childcare reform, but it MUST be universal. That means protecting and caring for every child, family, and community, while paying providers a fair wage.

We love seeing education framed as a lifelong pursuit in her #NYSOTS, including free community college for essential careers. On K-12, and the learning that comes before it, we’re still waiting to hear the Governor’s plans to strengthen equity and opportunity for students across ALL zip codes

The opening phone joke foreshadowed this #NYSOTS moment. The Governor lifts up early impacts of the bell-to-bell phone ban, but we're still out here waiting to hear what this year’s state budget will deliver for our public schools

The Governor turns to child care and affordability, naming it as one of the biggest obstacles she faced as a young parent. For many Black, brown, immigrant, and lower-income families, that obstacle hasn’t moved. These promises, from NYC to Buffalo, must become permanently funded systems for all.

The Governor says NY has managed its money well. As the first part of her #NYSOTS agenda turns to roads and infrastructure, we're looking forward to hearing more on permanent investments in public schools and TRULY universal child care. No short-term, band-aid fixes.

#NYSOTS is opening with some serious awards show vibes, even a joke about silencing phones at Speaker Heastie’s expense. Seems like some foreshadowing for what’s ahead on phones and digital devices in New York’s public schools in 2026 🧐

Today’s news reflect years of relentless work by us and our partners to make child care accessible to all families, especially Black, brown, and lower-income families, including expanding CCAP. There is still much more work to do, but today moves us closer to the future we’ve been dreaming of!

A new year and an exciting moment for NYC’s kids. We’re excited to work with Chancellor Kamar Samuels, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, + the whole new administration. When public schools and child care work as they ought to, families gain real security and kids can really learn. Congrats and onward, together!

A new year is a chance to build the future NY's kids are growing and learning into. Our 2026 priorities reflect what families statewide have been calling for, from universal child care to a higher quality public education for all of our young ones. Hope to see you in Albany soon! linktr.ee/aqeny

This work takes resources, and it takes all of us. Support from folks who care about children and strong public systems allows us to stay rooted in communities and accountable to the people most impacted. Consider donating and helping carry this work forward: secure.everyaction.com/wWzlpg39r0GI...

Dads are speaking out on child care and demanding real change. This Sunday, fathers from across NY are getting together to call out crushing costs, impossible choices, and a system failing working families right now. Hope to see you in the virtual room! bit.ly/childcaredads

We're bringing together dads on 12/21 to talk about your experiences with child care. We want to hear what’s impacting you most: cost, availability, or any other challenges. We’re fighting for child care for all, and your voice as a father is important. Help us push for the changes our families need

This time of year looks and feels different across New York, shaped by many traditions and ways of being together. We hold children at the heart of this season, knowing the world they are growing into is shaped by the choices we make today. Sending care and warmth as team AQE pauses until January 5.

Clearing the CCAP waiting list is a simple, low-cost first step Mayor Mamdani can take right away toward #NYchildcareforall, and one that would quickly benefit thousands of families in the city, while also bolstering desperately underpaid child care providers www.centernyc.org/urban-matter...

There’s more interest than ever in child care in New York, and this is a moment we can’t afford to let pass. Join us Dec 15 or 18 for a one-hour virtual teach-in on the Child Care for All roadmap. Pick your date and help build power by inviting someone else into the fight! forms.gle/ZnDY6nWLzUf9...

Join us for our 2026 Advocacy Day in Albany on Tuesday, January 27th to make it clear that child care must be a top priority in this year's state budget! Register now: airtable.com/appknPXXZF6c...

RSVP to join this community conversation that aims to keep students and their growth at the center of our public schools act.climatefamilies.org/ai-in-school...

We're so proud of our Co-EDs! Marina & Zakiyah lead with heart, humility & a deep commitment to NY's children & families. AQE is lucky to have you & we're grateful every day for your leadership. Congrats for being on the #politicsNYpp #AMNYpp Nonprofit #powerlist. politicsny.com/power-lists/...

Child care has been treated as a private burden in this country because of a long history that placed this work on women, expecting them to carry it without support. A new roadmap we released will begin to shift that legacy by laying out how NYS can build a truly universal child care system ✊🏾✊🏽

TODAY: ICE out of Child Care and Schools Emergency Call! Nov. 10th at 8pm ET, join us to hear how we can organize to protect our children and care workers/teachers! 👉: bit.ly/ice-OUT

Getting universal child care right is going to require the honoring of families choices and family child care providers, lifting up those who have been left out of these conversations for too long. Truly universal child care must be built with our communities, not just for them!

Last year, 154,000 @NYCSchools students experienced homelessness. State leaders should update the per-pupil education funding formula to add $ for each student in temporary housing or foster care to help districts meet these students' needs. Take action: actionnetwork.org/letters/tell...

Instead of funding schools and other public goods, taxpayer $$$ are sending federal forces into our communities, tearing families apart, and targeting working people. Register for TONIGHT’s citywide call to defend our neighborhoods and build resistance across NYC. www.mobilize.us/nycindivisib...

Our roadmap for the year starts with you. At this weekend’s Parent Conference, we saw a Bronx parent leader proudly rocking their AQE hoodie, a joyful reminder that this movement is built by all of us. Take the NY Speaks survey for a chance to win our 25th Anniversary hoodie! bit.ly/HaveYourSayNY

When someone with Andrew Cuomo’s platform uses their power to feed hate and spread suspicion instead of solidarity, it puts lives at risk. The strength of this city has always come from people standing together and refusing to let hate divide us – and we’re calling this what it is, Islamophobia.

This is what policy failure looks like, and it can’t be allowed to continue. Early voting begins this Saturday, New York. Be mindful that this is an opportunity to loudly make our voices heard and decide who gets the privilege of protecting programs that keep our communities fed and warm.

We’ve launched limited-edition anniversary merch! Proceeds go toward our work pushing New York State to fully and equitably fund our public schools and make universal child care a reality for all of us, regardless of your zip code or immigration status. Grab your swag here: bit.ly/AQEshop

A special thank you to Senator Robert Jackson, whom we are proud to call a friend and Mr. CFE. He pulled out all of the stops on party night and has stood with us from the very start in the fight for equitably funded public schools. We are truly grateful to have him by our side.

Thank you, Lieutenant Governor @delgadoforny.bsky.social for coming through and speaking from the heart. We’re inspired by the path you’re forging and excited to see your leadership guide the ways our public schools and universal child care are funded statewide!

Big thanks to Chancellor Ramos of @nycschools.bsky.social for sharing such a heartfelt message at our anniversary celebration. It meant a lot to hear directly from someone leading our schools with such openness. Grateful for the moment and for your support of NYC’s students and families!

Major thanks to Education Chair Rita Joseph @council.nyc.gov for always turning out in support of our kids and consistently standing alongside of the AQE family at every fight on the ground for New Yorkers. Pic from our 25th anniversary party earlier this month!

Big thanks to NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli (@nyscomptroller.bsky.social) for turning out at our silver anniversary celebration. Your statewide leadership and commitment to protecting public dollars so they can be invested in what matters – like our kids and communities – doesn’t go unnoticed!

Thousands of NYC students and educators spend their days in buildings with mold, asbestos, and toxic air. It’s environmental injustice in plain sight, and it’s hurting our communities. Sign the petition to demand #GreenHealthySchools: bit.ly/ghs_petition

Everyday racism isn’t always loud, but it is always harmful. Join us this Thursday to learn how to spot racial microaggressions, call them in, and interrupt them in real time. RSVP us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

AQE is proud to endorse @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social for Mayor of the City of New York!

We’re excited to welcome back National Youth Poet Laureate and Broadway Advocacy Coalition Artivism Fellow Stephanie Pacheco to this year’s Champions of Education Gala. Come out for a reading that invites us to see the future differently. Get your tickets! secure.everyaction.com/AaNPLt-3V0in...

We’re heading to Albany in February to show lawmakers that strong public schools and universal child care are non-negotiables for New Yorkers. Pre-register now to lock in your seat, then tag a friend who you’d like to invite along for the ride! actionnetwork.org/events/educa...

Let this be your reminder that NYC charter schools’ loyalties lie with the state’s millionaires, billionaires, and most profitable corporations rather than the Black, brown, disabled, and lower-income communities they claim to represent www.motherjones.com/politics/202...

We’re kicking off our training series for CEC parents and NYC parent leaders to build up skills, knowledge, and strategy around a fully funded, racially and economically just public education agenda for NYCPS. Hope to see you there! www.aqeny.org/ccectraining...

Two upcoming ways to take action and learn up in NYC!

Too often, school suspensions push Black, brown, immigrant, disabled students, and students from lower-income households out of classrooms, fueling inequities that last a lifetime. Call on Governor Hochul and the state legislature to pass the SNS Bill 📬 action.aclu.org/send-message...

From Buffalo to the Bronx, billboards and bus shelters are up, shining a light on how funding schools today shapes the future for all of us. Spot one near you? Let it spark a chat with a neighbor about the equity-driving potential of the Foundation Aid formula www.aqeny.org/protectthepromise/