“We Are Our Children’s Lobbyists – We Are The Parents”

On January 4, 2012, New York State’s Governor Andrew Cuomo gave his annual State of State address. Covering many topics, Governor Cuomo spoke these words.

"I learned that everyone in public education has his or her own lobbyist. Superintendents have lobbyists. Principals have lobbyists. Teachers have lobbyists. School boards have lobbyists. Maintenance personnel have lobbyists. Bus drivers have lobbyists. The only group without a lobbyist? The students. Well, I learned my lesson. This year, I will take a second job -- consider me the lobbyist for the students. I will wage a campaign to put students first, and to remind us that the purpose of public education is to help children grow, not to grow the public education bureaucracy.”

Parents in New York City and throughout New York State congratulate Governor Cuomo on learning his lessons and welcome him as an ally in the fight for a quality public education for every student in New York State. Parents want to be heard, and we have not been.  After all, we have been advocating for our children's education, including appropriate funding for our public schools, lowering class sizes, reducing standardized testing, increasing arts and music classes, and much more, to ensure our children receive a well-rounded education.

Since we have been the lobbyists for our children’s education, we also hope that Governor Cuomo will explain to his new allies why the word “parent” is nowhere to be found in his State of the State speech. Then we hope he will explain his plan to include us, the parents, in significant numbers on his proposed Education Commission. Not hedge fund managers … not education privatizers … but caring public school parents. After all, we are the students’ lobbyists – we are their parents and no one wants to ensure their success more than we do.

Please sign our letter to Governor Cuomo reminding him that we, the parents, are the students' lobbyists and want a meaningful voice in any proposed education reform here in New York State.

(If you would like to learn more about the New York City Parents Union and our Legislative Agenda for the 2012 legislative session, please click here.)