LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION urging the United States Department of Education
to not withhold the State of New York's funds received under Title I,
Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) as a result
of an increased number of students who did not participate in the most
recent grades three through eight English language arts and mathematics
state standardized assessments

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to ensure that all
children in the State of New York have the opportunity to receive a
high-quality, sound education; and
WHEREAS, Annual statewide assessments can provide valuable information
to parents, teachers, and educators on a child's academic needs and
achievements; and
WHEREAS, Recent changes to New York State's standardized assessments,
and the use of such assessments in evaluating teacher and principal
performance, have caused many parents to question their validity and
reliability to accurately evaluate academic achievement standards and
their overall educational and instructional value; and
WHEREAS, Title I, Part A funds of the ESEA provide financial assist-
ance to local educational agencies and schools with the most disadvan-
taged and low-income populations to ensure that these children especial-
ly have the resources needed to meet state academic standards; and
WHEREAS, Undertaking an official action to withhold Title I, Part A
funds would be detrimental to the educational opportunities of students
throughout the State, particularly our most vulnerable school popu-
lations; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the United States Department of Education be and hereby
is respectfully memorialized by this Legislative Body to not withhold
New York State's Title I, Part A funds of the ESEA; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the United States Department of Education, to the Governor of
the State of New York, to the Commissioner of the State Education
Department and to each member of the Congressional delegation from the
State of New York.