Mayor Michael Bloomberg presented a $69.8 billion budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 that contains about $800 million in one-time revenue and calls for reduced spending on education. Proposed cuts include $135 million for after-school and early childhood education programs and a reduction of 1,800 teaching positions through attrition over the next two years as a result of the city’s failure to reach a deal with the unions on a teacher evaluation plan.

Council Speaker and mayoral hopeful Christine Quinn outlined her views on education Tuesday. She backed many of the changes implemented under Mayor Bloomberg but also argued for less emphasis on standardized tests and more of a role for parents.