
Gov. Hochul Launches 'Back to Basics' Reading Initiative Amid Literacy Concerns
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has proposed a significant change in the state's education policy to improve literacy rates, which currently rank 32nd in reading proficiency. The proposal aims to overhaul reading instruction methods by September 2025, requiring school districts to adopt "scientifically proven" approaches to literacy. This move is in response to the evidence of the current system's failure, highlighted by the fact that less than half of the state's third graders passed state reading tests last year.

