Governor Hochul’s Back to Basics initiative in education was the focus of her recent visit to the Albany School of Humanities. This legislation, included in the budget, aims to improve reading proficiency rates by requiring schools to implement evidence-based reading instruction. The State Education Department will provide instructional best practices to support students in this endeavor.
During her visit, Hochul spoke to a first-grade class about the importance of the new reading initiative. She emphasized the need for phonics and decoding skills, as well as building vocabulary, to help students succeed in reading. 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.
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, she hopes that students will 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.