Governor Hochul Promotes Evidence-Based Education with ‘Back to Basics’ Initiative

Governor Kathy Hochul made a visit to the Albany School of Humanities to promote her new Back to Basics legislation in education. This initiative, included in the budget, aims to ensure that students receive proper instruction, particularly in reading. The plan requires that every school implement evidence-based reading instruction to improve proficiency rates.

During her speech to a first-grade class, Governor Hochul emphasized the importance of the new reading initiative and encouraged teachers to focus on phonics and decoding skills as well as building vocabulary. She thanked the teachers at the school for their hard work and dedication, noting that their efforts have paid off with recognition as one of 65 schools in the country and two in New York for exceptional student achievement.

The governor highlighted the critical role of providing students with the necessary tools and resources to improve their reading skills through evidence-based practices and effective strategies. The State Education Department’s role in providing instructional best practices will be crucial in ensuring that schools can meet the needs of their students and improve proficiency rates in reading.

Governor Hochul’s visit underscored the importance of investing in education initiatives that prioritize student success. By supporting schools with evidence-based approaches and instructional best practices, she is working towards creating a more equitable education system for all students.