The Education Alliance for Children in New York State (TEACH NYS) is an initiative dedicated to assisting families in the efforts they undertake in support of their children’s education.

TEACH NYS works to ensure that students, parents, administrators and teachers of all schools, including independent and religious schools, have resources sufficient to meet the day-to-day reality of securing the fullest educational opportunities possible. The effort, which has been formed by a group of leading lay individuals from various faith communities, the business sector and other walks of life, an extensive campaigns to educate, organize and mobilize New York families to shape legislation and education policy.

TEACH NYS appreciates that the vast majority of parents will continue to send their children to public schools. Often, these parents make use of other services for their children, including after-school tutoring, exam prep and special needs services. Likewise, TEACH NYS recognizes that many parents, often at tremendous financial sacrifice, send their children to independent and religious schools.

The 500,000 children in these schools represent more than 15 percent of all students in the state. Regardless of where students are enrolled – public schools, independent schools or religious schools - their families face serious financial burdens. The initiatives supported by TEACH NYS benefit all families with children in all schools.

As such, TEACH NYS has proposed and will advocate for a series of initiatives, including;

• Tax credits and deductions to offset education expenses of families and teachers and to encourage corporate and individual donations;
• Additional funding for instructional materials and technology for all children;
• Support for mentoring and continuing education for all teachers; and
• Support for nursing and other student health care services in all schools.

Schools – public and private – are the focal points of our neighborhoods and the largest employers in some parts of the state. For the benefit of society and our economy, all teachers, administrators, parents and students need as much support as they can get. New York families want only to maximize the educational opportunities available to their children. TEACH NYS has been formed to help these families meet the education needs of their children. For more information, contact Michael Tobman, of TEACH NYS via email at info@teachnys.org or mdtobman@teachnys.org.