Statement of the Alliance for Quality Education
(Long Island, NY) It is with great sorrow that we learned today of the passing of Judith Kaye, former Chief Judge of the New York State Court of Appeals. Judge Kaye was a tremendous Chief Judge and champion of New York’s children and families. She was a major force in the Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit writing the majority decision in CFE I and the dissent in CFE II. In CFE the Court of Appeals found that New York State was failing to meet its constitutional obligation to provide all students with a “sound, basic education.” In her dissent she asserted that the amount of funding ordered by the court was not enough.
She did not give up her commitment to justice when she retired from the bench, she continued to be a major voice for equity and justice as the Chair of the New York State Permanent Judicial Commission on Justice for Children. Most recently we were proud to collaborate with her on the introduction of legislation by Assembly Education Chair Cathy Nolan to reform school discipline practices statewide to dramatically reduce suspensions and school-based arrests, end the severe racial disparities in school discipline, and create positive and supportive school climates for students and educators.
Chief Judge Judith Kaye made a lasting impact for the improvement of the lives of New York’s families and children. She was an indefatigable champion of justice and she did it all with grace, charm and a powerful intellect. The Alliance for Quality Education joins all New Yorkers in mourning the loss of one of our state’s true heroes.
About AQE
The Alliance for Quality Education is a coalition mobilizing communities across the state to keep New York true to its promise of ensuring a high quality public education to all students regardless of zip code, income or race. Combining its legislative and policy expertise with grassroots organizing, AQE advances proven-to-work strategies that lead to student success and echo a powerful public demand for a high quality education.
