Assemblymen Ra, Finch, Local Officials, Education Experts To Discuss Solutions To School Violence At Assembly Minority Task Force On School Safety Hearing In Garden City
May 29, 2015
Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) and Assemblyman Gary D. Finch (R,C,I-Springport), Co-Chairmen of the Assembly Minority Task Force on School Safety, will join education, mental health and law enforcement experts, as well as other community stakeholders,...
New SED Commissioner Could Mean Fresh Start For NY Schools
May 27, 2015
“While I am hopeful that the New York State Education Department’s commissioner-elect, MaryEllen Elia, will bring a fresh perspective to the table, I am equally discouraged by the business-as-usual approach to selecting her for the position. This...
Making Progress For Education In New York State
May 21, 2015
“I am pleased to have joined my Assembly colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass meaningful changes to the flawed education policies of recent years. The legislation (A.7303-A) would begin to correct many of the unproven reforms that were implemented...
Ra, Long Island Colleagues Urge Congress To Reduce Standardized Testing
May 15, 2015
Assemblymen Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square), Al Graf (R,C,I-Holbrook), Dave McDonough (R,C,I-Merrick) and Dean Murray (R,C,I-East Patchogue) recently introduced a Legislative Resolution urging support for efforts to reduce the annual testing mandate imposed...
Assemblyman Ra Sponsors Summer Reading Challenge
May 12, 2015
Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) is announcing the 2015 Summer Reading Challenge. This program, sponsored by Ra in conjunction with New York State libraries, is designed to encourage children across the state to continue reading throughout their...
Exclusive Meetings Mean Limited Results
May 6, 2015
“It is discouraging that the state education department has decided upon a one-time, ‘invite only’ meeting to discuss the highly-controversial teacher evaluation process. Only 200 tickets are being distributed.
“By limiting the conversation...
Assemblyman Ra To Host Car Seat Safety Check
Apr 29, 2015
Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) and the Nassau County Traffic Safety Board will be conducting a car seat safety check to inform parents of the proper installation and care of car seats. This free event will be held Thursday, May 14 from 9:30 a.m....
Ra, Murray Pen Letter To Secretary Of Education Arne Duncan
Apr 24, 2015
Assemblymen, and members of the Education Committee, Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) and Dean Murray (R,C,I-East Patchogue) authored a letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan following his recent remarks suggesting a withholding of federal aid to...
Ra: Opportunity For Education Reform Blocked By Assembly Majority
Apr 21, 2015
Today, Common Core reform legislation (A.3656) sponsored by Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) was taken up by the Assembly Education Committee. Earlier this year, Ra, the ranking minority member on that committee, re-introduced the measure to help...
Ra, Murray Call On NYS Education Department To Release Test Refusal Numbers
Apr 15, 2015
Today, Assembly Committee on Education members, Assemblymen Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) and Dean Murray (R,C,I-East Patchogue), called on the New York State Education Department (SED) to release the number of students who refused to participate in the state’s...
Ra Invites Community Members To Meet And Greet
Apr 13, 2015
Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) is hosting a community Meet and Greet on Wednesday, April 29 from 7 to 8:45 p.m. at the Gold Coast Library Annex. The Library Annex is located at 40 Railroad Avenue in Glen Head.
Ra is welcoming individuals to...
Budget Driven By Misguided Priorities
Apr 1, 2015
“I am greatly disappointed that the budget process was conducted in a business-as-usual manner. Large components of the enacted budget, especially the education reform measures, seriously missed the mark. Regretfully, we missed a valuable opportunity...
Ra Calls for APPR Discussion to Be Driven By Education Stakeholders
Mar 27, 2015
“The current Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) element of the teacher evaluation process has proven to be flawed, time and time again. I stand by my initial opposition to APPR, as many of my concerns with the system have since come to fruition....
Bank Settlement Funds Should Be Used To Improve Infrastructure
Mar 24, 2015
Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) today called for a portion of funds from a recently-disclosed bank settlement to be used for local infrastructure projects on Long Island. Ra said he was disappointed with the lack of infrastructure funding provided...
Ra Announces Scholarship Opportunity For New York Students
Mar 17, 2015
Today, Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) announced that the New York Conference of Italian-American State Legislators is now accepting applications for four $2,500 scholarships to be awarded in June at Italian-American Day. Scholarship winners must...
Taking Necessary Steps To Protect New York’s Women
Mar 16, 2015
“Today, we took a critical step forward for the women of New York State. I applaud my colleagues in the Assembly for unanimously passing this important piece of legislation to end human trafficking in our state. For far too long the separate planks...
Ra: Assembly Budget Falls Short For New York
Mar 12, 2015
“The Assembly Majority put forth a budget resolution today, and while it contained some positive measures, it did not do enough to advance the current condition of our state. I was pleased to see that the Assembly and Senate majorities did not link...
Ra Urges Newly Elected Board Of Regents Members To Revitalize New York’s Education System
Mar 11, 2015
Following yesterday’s Board of Regents elections, Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) is optimistic that the new candidates will bring much-needed, fresh perspectives to our education system. Seven members, including four new members, were confirmed...
Shedding Light On The Capitol
Mar 4, 2015
“The residents of New York State deserve to be represented by a government founded on integrity, honesty and transparency. Today, my colleagues and I called for reforms that would ensure that becomes a reality. These common-sense measures would shed...
Ra Joins In Advocacy For New York’s Small Businesses
Mar 3, 2015
Today, Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) joined members of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) for New York State Small Business Day in the state Capitol.
The NFIB is America’s leading small-business advocacy organization...