News and Notes

January 2026

Dear Colleagues,

Happy New Year! At the New York State Education Department (NYSED), we’re kicking off the year by celebrating the kind of learning that truly shapes futures.

Education should be a canvas that every student can use to imagine, design, and build the life they aspire to create. Our students deserve learning experiences that connect their passions to real-world challenges and possibilities.

Across New York, students are gaining valuable skills through project-based learning, internships, and hands-on experiences that spark curiosity and build confidence. They’re earning industry‑recognized certifications and exploring careers in fields like healthcare, manufacturing, and public health.

NY Inspires is driving change statewide. By scaling what works, we’re turning proven practices into a unified vision that empowers students and prepares them to solve complex problems and lead in a changing world.

Please take a few moments to watch the video and join us in transforming education for every learner.

Sincerely,

Betty A. Rosa

Commissioner

2026 NYS Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Student Art & Essay Exhibition

Artwork submitted by Evergreen Charter High School
Hempstead, NY

Artwork submitted by Albert Leonard Middle School
New Rochelle, NY

Artwork submitted by Hillside Children's Center Andrews Trahey School
Rochester, NY

January is National Mentoring Month!

In New York State, mentoring is essential for teachers who are new to the profession or to their teaching placements. It helps educators grow, succeed, and stay in the classroom, benefiting students and schools alike.

Watch our video to discover how mentoring strengthens teaching and builds lasting connections, and visit our Mentor Teacher Internship Program webpage to learn more about teacher mentors.

New York at 250: Resources for Educators

New York State’s 250th seeks to highlight and commemorate not just the roles of New York’s citizens during the Revolutionary War, but also the subsequent 250 years of action toward the ideals of our nation’s founding principles.

This guide for educators includes classroom resources from NYSED’s Office of Cultural Education to support P-12 exploration related to this historic commemoration.

More information about NY250 is available on the New York State 250th Commemoration Commission website.

New York State Guidance on Safeguarding the

Rights of Immigrant Students

The Office of the New York State Attorney General, NYSED, and the Governor's Office have updated joint guidance to reaffirm school districts' obligations under state and federal law and to support schools as a safe haven where all students are welcomed and provided a free public education. The guidance addresses:

• enrollment and registration requirements;
• collecting student information and accessing student records (FERPA);
• law enforcement detention, interrogation, or removal of students from school property (including on school transportation);
• bullying and harassment;
• supporting students whose family members may be detained or deported; and
• an appendix of resources

Key reminders include that districts may not deny or discourage enrollment based on immigration status (or that of a parent/guardian), may not request Social Security numbers or other information that would reveal immigration status during enrollment, and must immediately enroll migrant and unhoused students even when typical documentation is not available.

Districts are encouraged to review directory information policies and FERPA notices, and to follow the guidance’s protocols for responding to law enforcement requests for student access or student information (including elevating requests to district leadership and counsel and notifying parents/guardians unless specifically prohibited).

For additional guidance and translated versions, please visit the New York State Guidance on Safeguarding the Rights of Immigrant Students.

New York State Museum: My First 100 Days and the Paths Ahead

At this month's Board of Regents meeting, New York State Museum Director Jennifer Saunders provided a status report following her first 100 days, offering an overview of where the Museum stands today and the strong foundation built by its dedicated and talented staff.

For more information, please visit the presentation, New York State Museum: My First 100 Days and the Paths Ahead.

National Braille Literacy Month

January is Braille Literacy Month! The New York State Talking Book and Braille Library (TBBL) is a free service for New Yorkers (outside of New York City and Long Island) who are unable to use standard print materials. New Yorkers with visual, physical, or reading disabilities may be eligible for this service.

• Print braille books
• Fiction and nonfiction audio and braille books
• Digital talking books and digital talking book players
• More than 70 magazine subscriptions

The Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library provides this service to residents in New York City and Long Island.

Personal Finance Resources

At the November 2025 Board of Regents meeting, NYSED proposed amending section 100.2 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education to require personal finance instruction for public school students in grades kindergarten through 12.

The Office of the New York State Comptroller's Financial Literacy webpage offers comprehensive, free materials to help prepare personal finance lesson plans (see "Assistance for Teachers and Administrators"). These resources may also be found on NYSED's Personal Finance Guidance and Resources webpage.

For additional information regarding the proposed amendment, please visit NYSED's Personal Finance Education webpage.