The Definitive Guide to New York Education & Parenting

Gary The Creator Oct 19, 2026

Jan. 25: What New York's SAFE for Kids Rules Change on Your Teen's Phone

On Jan. 25, New York teens lose the algorithmic feed by default and overnight feed alerts go dark. Here is what changes, who has to ask first, and how platforms will check age.

Business & Operations

Gary The Creator Oct 19, 2026

New York Made School Meals Free: Washington's Benefit Cuts Could Leave Albany Holding the Bill

New York guarantees every student a free breakfast and lunch, but the federal reimbursement behind that promise depends on SNAP and Medicaid counts that are already falling. The comptroller's new report shows how the cost could shift to Albany and districts.

Jay-Z's Foundation Didn't Hand HBCUs a Check. It Brought Them a Wharton Finance Course.

Business & Operations

Gary The Creator Oct 16, 2026

Jay-Z's Foundation Didn't Hand HBCUs a Check. It Brought Them a Wharton Finance Course.

Champions for Financial Legacy brings a Wharton-built personal finance course to seven HBCUs at no cost to the schools. Here is what students learn, who pays for it, and what the program still has not shown.

Parent Support

Gary The Creator Oct 16, 2026

Your New York School Can Turn a Snow Day Into a School Day: Read the Plan Before the First Storm

Every New York district must publish an Emergency Remote Instruction Plan each year. Here is what state rules require, what they leave to your district, and what parents should check before winter.

News & Updates

Gary The Creator Oct 16, 2026

Five Scholarship Deadlines New York Seniors Hit Before December 15

Regeneron, Jack Kent Cooke, the Elks, Burger King and A$AP Rocky's Roc Nation School award all close for seniors before Dec. 15. Each deadline is confirmed on the sponsor's page, with the eligibility catch that trims the pool.

Parent Support

Gary The Creator Oct 15, 2026

Washington Says Opt-Out Isn't Enough for School Mental Health Screenings. What That Means for New York Families

A joint Education and Justice Department letter says schools need a parent's signature before any mental health screener, and opt-out notices no longer count. Albany has not said what New York districts should do.

News & Updates

Gary The Creator Oct 15, 2026

A $2 Million Wedding Gift From Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Aims to Hire New York Music Teachers

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce gave $2 million to Education Through Music the week of their wedding. Here is what it buys, what the program can show for it, and the public arts gap no single gift can close.

News & Updates

Gary The Creator Oct 15, 2026

Albany Was Told Preschoolers Were Waiting for Special Ed Services - Nearly Two Years Later, Four Fixes Are Half Done

A Comptroller follow-up found the State Education Department finished three of seven preschool special education fixes. The four left undone include the provider shortage and real-time tracking of children going without services.

The Standard Guides

Gary The Creator Oct 15, 2026

Free College Applications, Date by Date: SUNY, CUNY and the Private Colleges That Close First

CUNY is free through Nov. 16, SUNY from Oct. 19 to Nov. 2, and many private colleges stop waiving fees on Oct. 31. Here is every window in order, and the rows on the state's list to double-check.

Community Voices

Gary The Creator Oct 14, 2026

NY State Tests: Paper vs. Computer, and the Missing Study

New York City wants its grades 3 through 8 students back on paper state tests. Before Albany carves out one district, it owes every family the mode study it says it already ran.

Parent Support

Gary The Creator Oct 14, 2026

New York's Measles Emergency Never Mentions Schools - An Older Rule Decides Who Stays Home

Executive Order 65 expands who can give the MMR shot, but the power to send children home during an outbreak sits in a Health Department rule that now reaches far fewer students than it did in 2019.

Business Office Desk With Administrative Form and Pen

Business & Operations

Gary The Creator Oct 14, 2026

Starting Nov. 1, Every Federal Education Dollar New York Draws Needs a 255-Character Explanation

Washington's new defend-the-spend rule lands first on the State Education Department, which draws Title I and IDEA money for every New York district. Here is what business offices should prepare before NYSED says how it will pass the requirement down.

Already Have a Degree? New York Will Now Pay for a Second One at Community College

New York's Highest Court Handed School Segregation Back to Elected Leaders: Albany Is Treating It Like a Mayor's Problem

New York's Class of 2026 Averaged 1053 on the SAT: What That Number Means for This Year's Juniors and Seniors

Jan. 25: What New York's SAFE for Kids Rules Change on Your Teen's Phone

New York Made School Meals Free: Washington's Benefit Cuts Could Leave Albany Holding the Bill

Jay-Z's Foundation Didn't Hand HBCUs a Check. It Brought Them a Wharton Finance Course.

Your New York School Can Turn a Snow Day Into a School Day: Read the Plan Before the First Storm

Five Scholarship Deadlines New York Seniors Hit Before December 15

Washington Says Opt-Out Isn't Enough for School Mental Health Screenings. What That Means for New York Families

A $2 Million Wedding Gift From Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Aims to Hire New York Music Teachers

Albany Was Told Preschoolers Were Waiting for Special Ed Services - Nearly Two Years Later, Four Fixes Are Half Done

Free College Applications, Date by Date: SUNY, CUNY and the Private Colleges That Close First

NY State Tests: Paper vs. Computer, and the Missing Study

New York's Measles Emergency Never Mentions Schools - An Older Rule Decides Who Stays Home

Starting Nov. 1, Every Federal Education Dollar New York Draws Needs a 255-Character Explanation

The Standard NY Resource Center