Res. No. 247
Title
Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature and Governor to set aside $14.5 million annually from the New York State Attendance Improvement/Dropout Prevention (AIDP) program to Community Based Organizations (CBO's) for the Community Achievement Project in the Schools (CAPS) program.
Body
By Council Members Reyna, Baez, Brewer, Comrie, Dilan, Fidler, Foster, Martinez, Monserrate, Nelson, Rivera, Sanders and Seabrook
Whereas, According to the Regents Bill of Rights for Children, "All children have the right to a free, sound, basic education"; and
Whereas, The New York State Legislature has demonstrated its commitment to needy students in the State by including Attendance Improvement/Dropout Prevention (AIDP) funding in the New York State annual budget; and
Whereas, In 1990, the New York City Board of Education and the United Way of New York City formed a collaboration, Community Achievement Project in the Schools (CAPS), to provide attendance improvement/dropout prevention services in New York City public schools where attendance rates are low; and
Whereas, Of the total funding allocated to the AIDP program each year by the State, currently $14.5 million is spent on the CAPS program; and
Whereas, According to the United Way, the CAPS program serves more than 33,000 students in approximately 170 schools Citywide; and
Whereas, Since the inception of the CAPS program in 1990, dropout rates have decreased and students targeted by the program have demonstrated increased attendance rates; and
Whereas, According to the Board of Education, the dropout rate was 28.3% before the CAPS program began in 1990 and declined to 19.3% in 2000; and
Whereas, The United Way has noted improvement in the attendance rates for 43% of targeted elementary and middle school students and 20% of targeted high school students; and
Whereas, The CAPS program does not have its own, permanent line in the AIDP budget and is therefore vulnerable to cuts during this time of fiscal austerity; and
Whereas, According to the Regents Bill of Rights for Children, "All children have the right to the resources needed to secure their educational rights"; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature and Governor to set aside $14.5 million annually from the New York State Attendance Improvement/Dropout Prevention (AIDP) program to Community Based Organizations (CBO's) for the Community Achievement Project in the Schools (CAPS) program.
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