Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

James has championed a strong public education, securing full-day Kindergarten for all students regardless of zip code, delivering record funding for the schools he represents, and, in the wake of the pandemic, securing essential supplies for students, teachers, and their classrooms.

James is a product of an excellent public education and knows every child deserves the same. James led the successful fight to deliver universal full-day kindergarten in New York State, including securing the funding necessary for both the North Rockland and Washingtonville School Districts to fully transition to full-day programs. He also voted to successfully end a draconian teacher evaluation system that would lead to more teaching to the test.

As State Senator, he has worked every day to ensure that Hudson Valley schools get their fair share of funding, stood strong against the misuse of standardized testing, and fought to improve the Governor's Excelsior Scholarship that only benefits 4% of SUNY and CUNY undergraduates.

Source