ALBANY, N.Y. April 23, 2012 - New York State United Teachers today launched a three-week, statewide $2 million radio and television ad campaign to tout the good work of teachers in improving student performance in our public schools, and to urge voters to avoid deeper cuts to school programs by approving local school budgets on May 15.
The radio campaign, which begins today, and the television ads, which launch later this week, both focus on the run of excellent news about public school performance. Last month, America's Promise Alliance reported that New York was one of only two states to have increased graduation rates by double digits. The report, presented at a national summit on increasing graduation rates, showed New York's graduation rate climbed from 60.5 percent to 73.5 percent over a seven-year period, even with the state's more rigorous standards and graduation requirements.
"Despite assertions by some in public office, New York is clearly moving in the right direction, and that's a credit to the hard work and dedication of teachers and students across the state," said NYSUT President Richard C. Iannuzzi. "The challenge now is to continue making progress despite the cumulative impact of devastating budget cuts. These cuts - along with reductions being implemented around the state because of the new, horrific tax cap - are resulting in a new round of program cuts as well as reductions in teaching staff and support personnel. Together, these cuts are hurting every public school student in New York."
Click here to see and hear the ad.
http://www.nysut.org/cps/rde/xchg/nysut/hs.xsl/mediareleases_17747.htm
The radio campaign, which begins today, and the television ads, which launch later this week, both focus on the run of excellent news about public school performance. Last month, America's Promise Alliance reported that New York was one of only two states to have increased graduation rates by double digits. The report, presented at a national summit on increasing graduation rates, showed New York's graduation rate climbed from 60.5 percent to 73.5 percent over a seven-year period, even with the state's more rigorous standards and graduation requirements.
"Despite assertions by some in public office, New York is clearly moving in the right direction, and that's a credit to the hard work and dedication of teachers and students across the state," said NYSUT President Richard C. Iannuzzi. "The challenge now is to continue making progress despite the cumulative impact of devastating budget cuts. These cuts - along with reductions being implemented around the state because of the new, horrific tax cap - are resulting in a new round of program cuts as well as reductions in teaching staff and support personnel. Together, these cuts are hurting every public school student in New York."
Click here to see and hear the ad.
http://www.nysut.org/cps/rde/xchg/nysut/hs.xsl/mediareleases_17747.htm