Legislation signed in 2025 established a statewide Center for Dyslexia and Dysgraphia within NYSED. This Center will create NY’s first statewide standards for screening, interventions, and teacher training to support the up to one in five children with dyslexia and/or dysgraphia. However, funding for the Center was not attached to the bill. We seek $2.1 million in this State Budget to support our children with dyslexia and dysgraphia.  

PTECH, Early College High School and STEM

In this Executive Budget, there is NOT sufficient funding for Early High School Programs, P-Tech, and STEM Programs, including: (1) College in High School Opportunity Fund, (2) Smart Scholars, (3) Smart Transfer, and (4) Pathways in Technology Early College High School programs.  We seek restoration and increases in all of these essential student-focused, innovative, and workforce development programs, as they lead to greater graduation rates, learning outcomes, and success in college, career and citizenry.  

Support for High Need/Low Income AP and IB test takers  

During the last 6 years, High Need/Low Income AP and IB test takers grew by 46%, yet state funding was frozen at $5.8 million to support their achievements.  Access to AP course work saves families significant funds: in 2025, students and families saved $254 million in college tuition. We ask that the state’s contribution be increased to $10 million, so that between state support, and the College Board’s contribution, the student share can be $0.  

Graduation Measures and the NY Inspires program

We must update graduate requirements to reflect real-world skills and learning, create technical assistance centers to support districts in their implementation of new graduation requirements, and provide professional development for teachers and school leaders to evaluate learning through innovative, realworld measures. We support NYSED’s ask for $5.1 million to support this work.