Governor Kathy Hochul visited 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 are receiving proper instruction, particularly in reading. The plan requires that every school implement evidence-based reading instruction to improve proficiency rates. During her visit, Hochul spoke to a first-grade class about the importance of the new reading initiative. She emphasized the need to demystify phonics and focus on decoding and vocabulary to help students succeed in reading.
The State Education Department will be providing instructional best practices to support students in this endeavor. Hochul thanked the teachers at the school for their hard work and dedication, noting that their efforts have paid off. The Albany School of Humanities was recognized as one of 65 schools in the country, and two in New York, for exceptional student achievement. Governor Hochul’s visit highlighted the importance of providing students with the necessary tools and resources to improve their reading skills. By focusing on evidence-based practices and supporting teachers in implementing effective strategies, the Back to Basics legislation aims to help students succeed academically. 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.