FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Board of Regents Advances Budget and Legislative Priorities for the 2026–27 School Year
Regents Propose $1.1 Billion Boost for Schools to Expand Pre-K, Career Education, and Equity Initiatives
The New York StateBoard of Regents today outlined its budget and legislative priorities for the 2026-27school year.The Board’sproposalsfocus onpromotingexcellence andequity in educationfor all students in New York State—fromPrekindergartnersto thosepursuing higher education—andidentifysolutionsto better meetthe needs ofunderserved districts,justice system-involvedyouthwhoresidein detention settings,andstudents with disabilities.Eachproposalalignswith the State Education Department’songoing work undertheNY Inspiresplan to transform educationandequip students with the necessary skillsto enter an ever-evolving workforce.
Top prioritiesincludeexpandingUniversalPrekindergarten,increasingopportunities forCareer and Technical Education,aligning instructional requirements with new graduation measures, andsupportingstudents’access to higher education. Proposed Foundation Aid formula enhancements would better account for English Language Learners and students experiencing homelessness, and support districts seeking to maintain existing levels of educational services.
Additionalproposals would fund capital projects at theState Education Building, the Cultural Education Center,theState’s three Nationschools, theNew York State School for the Blind,and the New York State School for the Deaf.The Board also requestedthe creation of a consistent funding streaminto the Cultural Education Fund to provide operating supportfor theState Museum, the State Library, and the State Archives.
Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr.said, “At its core, the Board of Regents is dedicated to the mission of ensuring that every student in New York State has an equal opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed. This year’s budget priorities reflect the Board’s steadfast commitment to equity and excellence for all students, across every community and of every background, while addressing the most pressing challenges shaping their education today. Weremainresolute in championing the resources and support necessary for every student to thrive at every stage of their educational journey.”
CommissionerBetty A. Rosasaid,“As we advance the NY Inspires plan and reimagine what it means to earn a high school diploma, we must look holistically at every part of New York’s educational landscape. The budget and legislative priorities for the year ahead signal a clear path forward—one that levels the playing field for every student and ensures a high-quality educational experience. From expanding career-focused pathways to broadening access to education, each priority is grounded in what matters most: our students.”
State Aid Proposal
The Regents State Aid proposal calls for a$1.1billionincrease in State Aid for the 2026-27school year.The budget request includes:
- $996.8millionincreasein Foundation Aid, a $283.3million increase over current law projectionsof $713.5 million. Thiswouldenhance funding for districts serving English Language Learnersandprovide new funding to support essential services for students experiencing homelessness,as well asa minimum increasetomaintainexisting levels of educational services.
- $30.1millionincreaseforformula enhancementsthat wouldallownearly 1,500new students inhigh-needdistricts to enroll in prekindergarten and enhance funding for CTE.
- $96.9millionincrease in reimbursement-based Aidunder current lawprojections.
Budget and Legislative Priority Highlights
The priorities outlined in the Regentsproposalbalance the fiscal constraints facing New York State and the need tomaintainequitableeducational opportunities statewide, whilecontinuing to moveforward.These priorities include:
- Grad Measures/NY Inspires:$5.1milliontoupdategraduate requirements to reflect real-world skills and learning, createtechnicalassistancecenters to support districts in their implementation of new graduation requirements,andprovideprofessional developmentforteachers and school leadersto evaluate learning through innovative, real-world measures.
- Universal Prekindergarten:$20million to expandaccess to high-quality early learning opportunitiestonearly 1,500students indistrictsbased on need and capacity.
- Office of Cultural Education(OCE)Revenue Stabilization:$12 million State general fund appropriation toprovide consistent fundingto the State Museum, State Library, and the State Archives.OCE’s current funding stream, the Cultural Education Fund, isa $15 Real EstateDeedTransfer Feethatreliesbothonthe number of real estate transactions,andon a fee that has not increased in 20 years. As aresult,OCEhasoperatedat a deficitin 15 out of the last 17years,impactingOCE’s staffing, collections, historical preservation, and quality of services and programming.
- State-Owned School Buildings:$211 millionto supportinfrastructure improvements attheNew York State School for the Blind at Batavia,New York State School for the Deaf at Rome, St. Regis Mohawk Nation School at Akwesasne, Tuscarora Nation School, andOnondaga Nation School.
- Education in Juvenile Justice Settings:$1.5million forplanning funds and initial staff supportto createanew model schooldistrict that providesin-person and hybrid coursework, transferable credentials, and career preparationto justice-involved youth.
- Career and Technical Education (CTE):$10.1 million tohelp non-BOCESdistricts offer robust CTE opportunities, ensure consistent statewide access, and sustain programs aligned to regional workforce needs.BOCES aidwillgrowfor three yearsunder existing law; this recommendation willmaintainparity for thecityschool districts that do not belong to BOCES.
- Shared Services Innovation Fund:$10 million toprovide grants toremove start-up barriers fordistricts and BOCES that developed regional activity plansfor shared services.
- Free and Appropriate Education for Students with Disabilities:Proposal to update State aid statutesto cover the cost of educational services for students with disabilitiesuntil the age of 22,rather thanthe current statutory age of21, to align with court rulings andrelieve school districts from coveringtheadditional year ofcostswithout State reimbursement.
- Higher Education Access and Opportunity Programs:$11.2million for programs that promote equity in access to higher education through financial and academic support services, including the Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP), the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP), the Liberty Partnerships Program (LPP), and the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP),plus an additional $1 million to fund theFoster Youth College Success Initiative,as well as $2 million to support postsecondary success for students with disabilities.
- New York State Summer School for the Arts:$2millionto provide residential programming and scholarships forstudents interested in the arts,expand artistic disciplines offered,and make theprogram more accessible for all students.
A full description of themay be found on the Department’swebsite.
Media Contact
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