New York State Education Department
Coverage of New York State Education Department in the Nexus archive.
- New York reading scores plunge on state tests while math proficiency edges up
New York state reading proficiency dropped 5 percentage points to 48% in 2025, with fifth grade scores falling 14 points. Math proficiency rose slightly to 57%, while experts noted unusual fluctuations in test results. State officials are promoting the 'science of reading' to address literacy challenges.
- New York school pauses humanoid classroom robot pilot
A New York high school district paused a planned fall 2026 pilot involving a humanoid robot and AI educational assistant due to data privacy concerns and community discussions. The project, led by Realbotix and Salamanca City Central School District, was intended to support AI and robotics lessons with a $57,590 contract covering the robot and AI program.
- New York school district halts plan to use humanoid robot amid backlash
A New York school district has paused its plan to introduce a humanoid robot at its high school after facing backlash from educators and community members. The Salamanca City Central district is working with the New York State Education Department to address data privacy concerns related to the project with Toronto-based Realbotix.
- More than 400K New York City children enrolled in failing public schools: report
A report by Success Academy reveals that 906 New York City public schools, enrolling over 400,000 students, had fewer than half of students pass state math or reading exams. Critics argue the city's high education budget is misallocated despite mediocre academic outcomes and a truancy crisis affecting 35% of students.
- New York High Schoolers Might Be Getting a New Diploma. Here’s What to Know.
New York State Education Department proposes a competency-based diploma system to replace the current credit-based framework, aiming to better prepare students for careers and higher education. The plan, part of the New York Inspires initiative, emphasizes skills mastery over classroom time and includes flexible assessment methods, though concerns remain about implementation challenges and equity.
- Most high schoolers no longer need to pass Regents to graduate. Schools are in the dark on what’s next.
New York high school students will no longer need to pass Regents exams to graduate by next fall, but the state has not yet disclosed replacement requirements. Educators and families express confusion and concern over the transition, while officials aim to shift toward skills-based assessments like research projects and internships.
- What will school look like in a post-Regents world? Officials tease a ‘competency-based’ approach.
New York state officials are transitioning from standardized Regents exams to a competency-based education model by the 2029-30 school year, emphasizing project-based learning and alternative assessments like portfolios. However, critics note a lack of detailed implementation plans and concerns about replicating challenges seen in other states like Maine.
- Half of NY teacher prep programs fail in reading instruction: report
Half of New York's teacher preparation programs failed to teach scientifically-based reading instruction, according to a National Council on Teacher Quality report. Six programs received top grades, while 19, including those from CUNY and SUNY, received failing marks. New York's refusal rate for program materials was among the highest nationally.