The budget being negotiated in Albany will establish not only how much state aid school districts will receive, but it also could affect the age many kids start going to school, when they begin standardized tests and even influence whether they go to public or private school.
Education issues are prominent this budget season in Albany. This includes the pre-kindergarten debate prompted by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and a tax credit advocated this week by Cardinal Timothy Dolan that could boost Catholic school attendance.
The budget due April 1 from Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Legislature also could contain provisions affecting charter schools and the new Common Core standards.
Cuomo proposed spending $21.9 billion for education. The Legislature says Thursday they aim to add $240 million more.
© 2014 AP
