Justin G.
Just my thoughts!
Is New York's Statewide School Cellphone Ban Actually Working?
One year in, New York's statewide school cellphone ban is delivering better behavior and stronger student well-being, but flat test scores. Here is what Hochul's first-year survey and the latest national research reveal, and what it all means for New York families.
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NY Tier 6 Reform: What It Means for Teachers & Schools
New York's 2026 state budget cuts the Tier 6 teacher retirement age from 63 to 58 and lowers pension contribution rates for over 830,000 public employees. Here's what it means for classrooms, educators, and taxpayers across the state.
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Should Your Community Have a Vote Before a Charter School Opens? A New Bill Says Yes
Two new New York State bills would require public hearings and a community vote before any charter school can open, expand, or renew. Here's what the legislation means for school budgets and families across the state.
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Mayor Zohran Mamdani Is Overhauling How NYC Kids Learn Math
Mayor Mamdani is expanding NYC Solves, the city's math initiative, into elementary schools for the first time across four districts this fall. Here's what the $17.3 million overhaul means for your child's classroom.
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The White House Is Sitting on $2 Billion for Schools - Here's What That Means for New York
The White House is withholding more than $2 billion in congressionally approved education funding. New York State has already lost access to $463 million in school grants. Here's what families and educators need to know.
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The Pope Says AI Is Threatening Critical Thinking While Our Schools Try to Figure it Out
Pope Leo XIV's new encyclical warns that AI is eroding critical thinking. New York schools are still sorting out how to respond, and the stakes for students couldn't be higher.
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What New York Schools Are (and Aren't) Teaching About Memorial Day
New York State has a veterans speaker program, a civic readiness framework, and 700 school districts. So why do so many students leave for Memorial Day weekend without ever learning what the holiday actually means?
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New York Schools Support Staff Are Barely Getting By
New York school classroom aides, teacher assistants, lunch monitors, and clerical staff are earning wages that fall far below the state's own cost of living benchmarks. As Jeff Bezos calls for zero federal income taxes on the bottom half of earners, a look at the numbers reveals just how badly New York's school support workforce has been left behind.
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NY's Zero-Emission Bus Mandate Delayed Five Years
New York State has delayed its zero-emission bus mandate by five years, moving the 2027 purchase deadline to 2032 and full fleet conversion from 2035 to 2040. Here is what families, school districts, and communities across New York need to understand about the health, policy, and accountability stakes.
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NY School Budget Vote Results: Who Passed and Who Failed
Most New York school budgets passed on May 19, 2026, but several districts including AuSable Valley, Ogdensburg, Stamford, Prattsburgh, Spencerport, and Lyndonville saw their spending plans rejected. Here's what happened and what comes next.
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Academic ROI: Student Wellbeing in NYC's Digital Classrooms
Explore the hidden costs of "always-on" learning in NYC schools. This guide examines academic ROI, student wellbeing, and how New York families can balance educational technology with essential social-emotional growth.
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A Statewide Guide: Where Does New York School Money Actually Go?
New York spends $89 billion on public schools statewide, yet many districts still face cuts and shortfalls. Here is exactly how school money flows across New York, from Foundation Aid and property taxes to per-pupil spending gaps between rich and poor districts.
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