Survey Shows City Schools are "Running on Empty"

The results of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity’s NYC school survey are in, and the picture they paint is grim. Schools without basic science equipment or libraries. Overcrowded classrooms at all grade levels. Inadequate buildings in need of major repairs. In other words, schools where students cannot possibly be expected to meet the higher standards now being implemented throughout New York State.

CFE presented the results of its "Making the Grade" school survey at a citywide conference on March 25. The event attracted a vocal group of parents, advocates, and city leaders, as well as members of the New York City media.

Over the past six months, CFE asked parents and school personnel across the City to evaluate basic resources in their local schools. The survey questions were based on a template definition of a "sound basic education" issued by the state’s highest court. In 1995, the New York Court of Appeals issued a preliminary ruling in CFE v. State, CFE’s constitutional challenge to the state aid system. The court held that all students in the state are entitled to the opportunity for a sound basic education, which the court said included such basic elements as adequate facilities, well-trained teachers, and basic learning tools. In all, 228 schools provided detailed information about the level of these and other essential resources available in their schools.

The survey report, entitled "Running on Empty: High Standards and Missing Resources in New York City’s Public Schools," provides some startling concrete findings about the lack of resources City schools face. (See box on left.)

The report’s numbers on class size are particularly alarming given the state legislature’s recent pledge to reduce class sizes in grades K-3 to 20 students per class.

On their surveys, school leaders described overcrowded classrooms, instruction taking place in hallways and gyms, and extraordinary scheduling changes. One school reported that they are forced to start lunch at 9:55 am in order to feed all of their students. Another reported, "We do use [a converted] shower room for instruction."

"This problem isn’t anywhere near being solved," said Shola Olatoye, CFE’s director of public engagement. "Clearly it’s going to take a major commitment of additional resources by the state to bring these class sizes down to reasonable levels."

Survey respondents also provided powerful anecdotal evidence about other obstacles students face in their schools. One elementary school reported that in many of its classrooms, "there are windows that are broken and cannot be opened." A high school noted that while the school has Bunsen burners, it does not have the gas to operate them. Many schools described extremely limited space for such basic activities as music, art, and physical education.

According to CFE, "Running on Empty" demonstrates quite clearly that despite state aid increases and significant education reforms implemented by the NYC Board of Education and the Chancellor, the state aid system still dramatically underfunds the City’s public schools, resulting in a dearth of basic learning resources. Despite the extraordinary educational needs of its students, the New York City school district still spends over $1,000 less per pupil than the statewide average.

The report also takes Governor Pataki to task for his recent statement that as a result of the state’s "generous investment" in its public schools, "our children are benefiting from improved school facilities, additional textbooks and more computers in the classroom." But based on the overwhelming results of its survey, said CFE, "the facts . . . do not support this assumption." CFE also cites data from the Fiscal Policy Institute showing that when adjusted for inflation, per-pupil state aid allocations today are still 7% below what they were in 1988-89. As standards rise higher and higher, it seems, the state’s real commitment to resources is declining.

This theme of state underfunding was repeated throughout the course of CFE’s March 25 conference. William Thompson, President of the New York City Board of Education, delivered the keynote address and sharply criticized the state aid formula and Governor Pataki’s recent budget proposal. He suggested that both the proposal and the Governor’s STAR plan might make the spending gap between New York City and the rest of the state–which currently stands at over $1,000 per pupil–even wider. "The compact for learning in New York State," said Mr. Thompson, "has been broken."

The conference also included panel discussion on how local groups might use "Running on Empty" to support their agendas, and an update on CFE v. State of New York. Joseph Wayland from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, the firm that is providing pro bono services on the case, stressed the importance of local advocacy and activism around the trial, which is expected to begin in the coming months. Robert Hughes, CFE’s deputy director and another member of its legal team, stressed to the crowd, "This is your trial."

Unfortunately, the picture painted by the "Running on Empty" report is all too familiar to many parents, students and advocates. "The results are upsetting," said Ms. Olatoye, "but what matters is what people do with these results. We need to turn our outrage on this issue into action." CFE is now planning further citywide outreach and distribution of the survey results to teachers, parents and students throughout New York City. "If we’re going to see real change on this issue," said Ms. Olatoye, "we need a citywide agenda for fair school funding."

CFE’s "Making the Grade" survey project has been part of a larger statewide process of public dialogue. Over the past few months, CFE has been holding regional forums across the state to discuss the implementation of the new Regents’ standards and accountability issues with people from all walks of life–particularly members of the business, religious and human services communities. These events culminated in a statewide conference on May 27, held at the Association of the Bar in New York City. CFE brought together participants from the City and around the state to see how much common ground could be found on issues of school funding and educational reform. New York State Comptroller Carl McCall delivered the keynote address at the conference.

To request a copy of "Running on Empty,"–call CFE at 212-867-8455. A detailed summary of the report is also available on CFE’s website at www.cfequity.com.

Bulletin: CFE v. State of New York is set to go to trial on October 12, 1999. Look for an update in the next EPP Monitor.