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Governor Cuomo’s State of the State address contained several proposals that will benefit New York’s students and adults. At a time when many local employers are working to find qualified employees, the Governor’s proposal to establish the state’s first regional high school and worker training center that focuses on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) will create a much-needed pipeline for trained students and adults who are equipped to fill these jobs.

The Governor’s support for expanding early college high school training programs and expanding apprenticeships across the state will help ensure that our students are first in line for jobs in the field where they have worked or studied. We are also encouraged by the proposed increase of up to 12 additional Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) programs.Ìý

Expansion of Universal Pre-Kindergarten and support for afterschool programs, as well as making college affordable for more middle class families will help to increase equitable access to education for those most in need. We also applaud the Governor’s commitment to ensuring that each and every New Yorker is counted in the 2020 Census.

We are further encouraged that the Governor focused on increasing teacher diversity, expanding opportunity programs for our students, and the creation of a mental health education and training competitive grant program for districts.Ìý Ìý

The Board of Regents has long supported increasing state aid for all schools, especially for those that serves our most at-risk students. While we are pleased the Governor recognizes the need for increased support for our high-need schools, we must ensure all schools have the resources they need to provide a high-quality education for all New York students.