Andrew Cuomo Unveils Comprehensive 25-Point Plan to Transform NYC Schools into a ‘Cradle to Career Pipeline’ So Every Student Succeeds
Sweeping Agenda Includes Co-Location of Fragmented Early Childhood Development Programs Under One Roof, True Universal 3K and Pre-K, Expanded Mentorships and High-Dosage Tutoring for Middle Schoolers, Scaling of Dual College Enrollment of High Schoolers,
Our school system is entrusted with preparing more than 1 million students for the future and – as the son of a teacher – I know there is no more noble calling.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, candidate for mayor of New York City, today unveiled an ambitious 25-point plan aimed at transforming New York City’s fractured school system into a seamless, cradle-to-career pipeline that prioritizes access, excellence, and innovation. This sweeping agenda will strengthen early childhood education, modernize K–12 learning, support and empower educators and families, and align education with 21st-century workforce needs.
“Our school system is entrusted with educating and preparing more than 1 million students for the future and – as the son of a teacher – I know there is no more noble calling,” Governor Cuomo said. “With rising chronic absenteeism, declining enrollment and lagging student outcomes we must address these challenges head on and eliminate the cracks in our system where too many students — especially underserved and historically marginalized students — fall behind. I will fight tirelessly to empower and support teachers, invest in proven interventions that move the dial on student achievement, and unify a fragmented system that lifts every student from cradle to career.”
Parts of the education plan include:
Transforming Early Education
Cuomo’s plan pioneers a first-in-the-nation model to co-locate early childhood development services—including Early Intervention, Pre-K, and preschool special education—within public school buildings. This integrated approach ensures children receive developmental support as early as birth, particularly in underserved communities.
He is also pledging to guarantee true universal, full-day Pre-K and 3-K citywide, ensuring every three- and four-year-old has access to high-quality early education.
To build generational opportunity, Cuomo will launch a universal children’s savings platform, helping families plan for college or career training starting in early childhood.
Modernizing Middle and High Schools
To address widespread absenteeism, academic underperformance, and a lack of seamless college and career readiness, Cuomo proposes a series of reforms that include:
- A citywide mentorship and career exploration program connecting students to industry leaders
- Universal dual enrollment and early college access by 10th grade
- Paid internships and work-based learning for every high school student
- Expansion of successful early college models like P-TECH and Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs
- An NYC Education Innovation Lab Network to integrate emerging technologies—such as data science—into school curricula
- Establishing the College and Career Transition Corps to connect graduating students to summer bridge programs and job placement support to prevent “summer melt”
Cradle-to-Career Integration
Cuomo’s plan establishes a unified cradle-to-career data system to track student progress across agencies—from early childhood through college and career—and to drive accountability and improve academic outcomes through transparent public dashboards. He will expand community schools, after-school programs, and mental health services to ensure every student receives the support needed to succeed in school. He also backs full implementation of the state’s class-size reduction law, contingent on adequate state funding, as well as modernizing curricula. Every component of this plan is focused on one goal: improving student achievement at every stage of learning.
Empowering Teachers
Recognizing teachers as the backbone of student success, Cuomo’s plan includes:
- Investments in “Grow Your Own” educator pipelines to increase teacher diversity
- Expansion of residency-based teacher training programs
- Incentives to teach in high-need subjects and hard-to-staff schools
- Professional development centered on the new literacy and math curricula, as well as career-aligned instruction
Workforce and Postsecondary Alignment
Cuomo will bridge the gap between education and employment by launching:
- A $100 million High-Demand Jobs Accelerator Fund
- The “Learn and Earn” employer-education network
- 5,000 new youth apprenticeships by 2029
- Coordination between DOE and CUNY career pipelines via a new Pathways Council
- Expanding flexible education programs for working adults and other non-traditional students, such as digital skills bootcamps and micro/stackable credentials for upskilling opportunities
As governor, Andrew Cuomo unveiled the state’s universal Pre-K expansion, created and expanded 3K programs, pioneered the P-TECH early college model, and passed the Excelsior Scholarship program—the nation’s first tuition-free public college program.
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