JUSTICE DEGRASSE ISSUES ORDER

In an order released Tuesday evening, Justice DeGrasse issued instructions outlining the scope of the special masters' responsibilities in light of the State's failure to meet the July 30 Court of Appeals' deadline. The release of the order followed the August 3 hearing, in which Justice DeGrasse announced the panel of three distinguished special masters who will deal with the State's non-compliance in CFE v. State.

Specifically, the judge stated that "the court appoints three referees to hear and report with recommendations on what measures defendants have taken to follow the foregoing directives and bring this State's school funding mechanism into constitutional compliance insofar as it affects the New York City School System. The referees shall also identify the areas, if any, in which such compliance is lacking. The report of the special referees shall address but shall not be limited to inputs such as teacher quality, school facilities and classrooms and the instrumentalities of learning." Read the full court order