May 1993

CFE files a lawsuit in State Supreme Court challenging the

constitutionality of New York State’s education funding system.

CFE v. State of New York, Amended Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief (June, 1993)

June 15, 1995

The New York State Court of Appeals, New York State’s highest

court, gives CFE the green light to pursue a constitutional challenge

to the New York’s education finance system on the grounds that it

denies thousands of students the opportunity to a “sound basic

education.”

CFE v. State of New York, Court of Appeals (June 15, 1995)

January 9, 2001

The State Supreme Court rules in favor of CFE, declaring the

State’s school funding system unconstitutional. In his decision,

Justice Leland DeGrasse orders the State to reform the school

funding system to make it predictable, transparent, and aligned to

student need.

CFE v. State of New York, State Supreme Court Decision (Jan 9, 2001)

June 25, 2002

In a 4-1 vote, the Appellate Division, First Department, of the State

Supreme Court rejects the trial court's ruling that the current school

funding formula is “inequitable and unconstitutional.” The

intermediate appeals court holds that students in New York State are

only entitled to an eighth-grade level of education and preparation

for low-level jobs.

CFE v. State of New York, Appellate Decision (June 25, 2002)

CFE v. State of New York, Appellate Decision Summary (June 25, 2002)

June 26, 2003

In a 4-1 vote, the Court of Appeals reverses the Appellate Division

ruling and rules in favor of CFE ordering the State to reform the

funding system.

CFE v. State of New York, Court of Appeals Decision (June 26, 2003)

CFE v. State of New York, Court of Appeals Decision summary (June 26, 2003)

July 30, 2004

The State of New York fails to meet the Court of Appeals deadline.

School Funding Deadline Missed; Districts Affected by Inaction; Government Divisions Blamed for Missing the Court Deadline

August 3, 2004

Justice Leland DeGrasse appoints three referees to deal with the

State’s non-compliance. They are given until November 30, 2004 to

submit a compliance plan to the court.

CFE v. State of New York, Justice DeGrasse's Order Appointing Referees (Aug 3, 2004)

August 5, 2004

Referees begin holding hearings with CFE and State attorneys to

review proposals for complying with the Court of Appeals order.

CFE v. State of New York, Report and Recommendations of the Judicial Referees (Nov 30, 2004)

March 16, 2005

Justice DeGrasse issues a final order which affirms the Judicial

Referee Panel's Recommendations; Orders State to Provide New

York City Schools an additional $5.63 Billion.

CFE v. State of New York, State Supreme Court Final Order (March 15, 2005)

March 23, 2006

The Appellate Division, First Department rules in favor of CFE

denying the Governor’s appeal and directs the State to provide the

city’s schools with $4.7 billion to $5.63 billion in operating aid and

$9.2 billion in capital funding by the budget deadline of April 1,

2006.

CFE v. State of New York, Supreme Court Appellate Division Decision (March 23, 2006)

June 6, 2006

CFE files a brief to the Court of Appeals requesting the court issue a

clear and enforceable order that would bring the long-running CFE

school-funding case to a close.