NYSUT President Andy Pallotta testified before the Assembly Committee on Education to address student learning loss and the resources students and educators need to combat it. Many of these resources have been highlighted in NYSUT’s Future Forward and Safe Schools for All reports.
Pallotta testified on the need for expanding the community school model across the state to address food insecurity, poverty and lack of access to health care. Studies have shown that community schools have a positive impact on student attendance, credit accumulation and on-time progression. He also spoke about the resources needed to care for the whole child, including social and emotional needs. Pallotta recommended the state establish staffing ratios for school social workers, counselors and psychologists and fully support these important positions in every school building.
His testimony continued to talk about the need for increased federal and state funding to give districts and educators the resources they need and the recommendations of the Safe Schools for All Task Force Report which was convened and published over the summer.