December 2022

Happy Holidays! As the end of the year is nearly upon us, I want to wish you and yours a holiday season filled with happiness, comfort, support, and good health. It is such a privilege to observe your dedication and commitment to education, and I look forward to continuing our important work in the coming year to support students, professionals, and all learners across our diverse state.

In the words of author Hal Borland, “Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.”

Best wishes to you, your families, and your school communities for a safe, healthy, happy, and restful holiday season.

Sincerely,

Betty A. Rosa

Commissioner

At this month's Board of Regents meeting, the Board outlined its budget and legislative priorities for the 2023-24 school year, which focus on supporting lifelong learning opportunities, providing a P-20 continuum in education, and creating equity in education for all students while improving customer service for all New Yorkers.

The proposals include: universal Pre-K for three and four-year-olds by 2035 and 2030, respectively; universal access to Career and Technical Education for any student wanting access to such programs; expanding regionalism opportunities for educational services and programs; supporting districts with rapid enrollment growth; and expanding access to school meals. To carry out these strategic priorities, the Board advanced a comprehensive $3.4 billion State Aid request to build capacity at the state and local levels.

A full description of the Board’s 2023-24 legislative and budget priorities and the Regents State Aid proposal may be found on the Department’s website.

The Board of Regents and the New York State Education Department (NYSED) are committed to making New York’s schools warm and welcoming places for all students. In this new video, New York State students explain how learning becomes possible – and joyful – when they are seen, heard, and valued for who they are.

NYSED nominated 25 New York State high school seniors for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Presidential Scholar recognition is one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students who represent excellence in education and the promise of greatness in young people.

The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects scholars annually based on their academic success, artistic excellence, essays, school evaluations, and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership, and demonstrated commitment to high ideals. Congratulations to the nominees!

NYSED’s Office of Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Adult Education Program and Policy (ACCES-AEPP) promotes, develops, and supports programs that provide adult students with basic literacy, English as a Second Language, employment, college, career, and apprenticeship training. A new multimedia campaign aims to educate the public about adult education services, increase

participation in adult education programs across the state, and ensure that NYSED meets adult learners' needs. Read this letter from Deputy Commissioner Ceylane Meyers-Ruff for more information about the campaign.

Please share information with the populations you serve that could benefit from ACCES’s adult education services. More information about our adult education services, including a list of programs, is available on our ACCES website. Please also keep an eye on our Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn feeds to share our message and repost our success stories!