Cuomo Announces Innovative Plan to Replace Chronically Underperforming Schools; Strengthen NY’s Education System
Plan also Includes Doubling Specialized Schools; Raising the Charter Cap; Universal Early Education and Afterschool Programs
Read his Point Point Presentation here
New York, NY – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, candidate for Mayor of New York City, announced his comprehensive plan to strengthen New York’s education system and replace schools that have chronically underperformed for the city’s children.
At the center of the plan is replacing chronically underperforming schools with a high performance model – whether it be an early college high school, a specialized and innovative school or a charter school – that is best tailored to the community’s needs. A chronically underperforming school is a school whose five-year average performance is ranked in the bottom 5 percent of all NYC schools on state test scores, or maintains an average graduation rate below 60 percent.
“The foundation of New York’s future and economic strength rests in our education system,” Governor Cuomo said. “ My mother was a teacher and I know its the noblest of professions. The fact remains that despite their best efforts many of our kids are being left behind and we need to help our children and our educators by fixing the system where it has failed. If we want to build the economy of tomorrow, we must start with the classrooms of today.”
Despite New York spending more per student than any state in the nation—projected at $36,293 per student this year—student outcomes remain uneven, with fewer than half of students in many schools proficient in math and reading. Cuomo pledged to use mayoral control to drive real reform, not roll it back.
The Overhaul NYC Schools Plan
Cuomo’s education reform agenda focuses on Access, Excellence, and Innovation:
Access
Universal Early Education: Guarantee free, high-quality, full-day Pre-K and 3-K for every child, citywide.
Specialized & Charter Schools: Double the number of specialized high schools from 9 to 18 while protecting SHSAT standards and expanding charter school opportunities in underserved neighborhoods.
Community Schools Expansion: Establish a Community School Development Fund to turn schools into neighborhood hubs offering academics, mental health services, afterschool programs, job training, and family support.
Universal Afterschool: Ensure every student has access to enrichment, tutoring, sports, and arts at no cost.
Excellence
Curriculum Modernization: Update instruction to meet today’s economy—literacy, math, STEM, AI, robotics, civics, and financial literacy.
Teacher Incentives: Launch the “Teach Where It Counts” Fund, offering $5,000–$10,000 stipends for educators in high-demand fields like STEM and special education.
College & Career Readiness: Guarantee dual enrollment by 10th grade, expand Early College and P-TECH programs, and ensure every 11th grader has access to a paid internship or apprenticeship.
Innovation
High-Demand Jobs Accelerator: Invest $100 million in training programs aligned with high-growth sectors including green energy, clean infrastructure, technology, AI, and cybersecurity.
Unified Data & Accountability: Build a citywide “Birth-to-Career” system linking education, workforce, and health data, with a public dashboard to measure outcomes and ensure transparency.
This is the latest plank of Governor Cuomo’s agenda to help build a new New York City. Further parts of the agenda will be unveiled in the coming days.
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