Recent Press Releases and news
Our communications team is our primary point of contact for members of the media. We can connect you with experts and information on a variety of education issues impacting students pre-K through college. All press inquiries should be directed to the Communications Team at [email protected].
To help expedite your request, please include your name and affiliation, story topic and deadline, a telephone number where you may be reached, and any other details pertinent to the request. We know that reporters often face tight deadlines, and we will respond as quickly as possible. To be added to our press list, please send your name, affiliation, beat, and contact information to [email protected]. We look forward to working with you.
EdTrust-New York: NYCPS Decision on Class Size Law Risks Equity, Fiscal Stability, and Student Opportunity
EdTrust-New York is deeply disappointed that New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) chose not to request a pause in the implementation of the Class Size Reduction Law. This decision puts fairness, fiscal stability, opportunity, and equity at risk for the students and communities the law is intended to serve.
New York City’s $1 Billion Crisis: Education Leaders Urge Pause On Class Size Mandate
With just two days remaining before the November 15 deadline, when New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) must publicly report their progress on the 2022 Class Size Law, Educators for Excellence, EdTrust-New York and Robin Hood urged the city to act. The groups emphasized that this deadline offers a one-time opportunity to request a pause or revise the implementation timeline to ensure the law is carried out equitably and sustainably.
EdTrust-New York Encourages Mayor-elect Mamdani to Prioritize Equity and Opportunity in NYC’s Education Agenda
EdTrust-New York’s Education Platform for New York City outlines steps Mayor-elect Mamdani can take from early childhood through college to close gaps in access, opportunity, and outcomes.
Federal Shutdown Disrupts Critical Supports; EdTrust-New York Commends State Efforts and Urges Swift Federal Action
We commend Governor Kathy Hochul for taking swift action today by announcing an additional $65 million in emergency food assistance for New York State. Over the past week, she has directed $41 million in emergency funds to feed New Yorkers, bringing the total investment in food security to $106 million.
EdTrust-New York Releases Updated Toolkit to Boost FAFSA Completion and Expand College Access
The toolkit provides six evidence-based strategies schools can implement to improve Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion rates. It includes practical tips for tracking student progress, an expanded FAQ section, and outreach materials available in both English and Spanish for communicating with students and families.
EdTrust-New York Condemns Federal Move to Defund NYC Schools Over Trans Student Protections
By threatening to strip $15 million in magnet school funding next year, and an additional $36 million in future years, the administration is attacking student’s civil rights while jeopardizing resources that drive equity.
New Data from the New York Equity Coalition Reveals Persistent Racial Gaps in Educator Representation and Retention
The interactive tool lets users explore disparities in student and teacher demographics, teacher retention rates by race and ethnicity, and district-specific data across various types of school communities, including New York City, the Big 4 districts (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Yonkers), and diverse geographic areas such as urban, suburban and rural areas.
EdTrust-New York Calls for Urgent Action After NAEP Data Confirms National Education Crisis
The disparities in NAEP scores are unacceptable and preventable. This crisis demands urgency. New York State must respond with bold, systemic change: investing in high-quality teaching, equitable resources, and targeted support that ensure every student, regardless of race or background, graduates with the essential reading and math skills they need to succeed.
New Poll Reveals Strong Parent and Voter Support for Education Data System in New York, Calls for Equity and Transparency in Development
A new statewide poll released by EdTrust-New York reveals widespread support among New York parents and voters for the development of a Statewide Longitudinal Data System (SLDS) that connects education and workforce data from early childhood through college and into careers. At the same time, the findings emphasize the urgent need for equity, privacy protection, and community partnership in the system’s design.
EdTrust-New York Calls for Transparency and Truth in Response to Preliminary 2024–25 State Assessment Data Release
EdTrust-New York welcomes the New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) release of preliminary data from the 2024-25 Grades 3-8 English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Grades 5 and 8 Science assessments ahead of the new school year. However, the data raises more questions than it answers. We believe transparent, accessible data is essential to informing instruction, supporting families, and driving equity-centered decision-making throughout New York’s education system.
EdTrust-New York Supports Graduate Portrait Goals, Warns of Equity Risks in New Graduation Measures
EdTrust-New York supports the state’s new Portrait of a Graduate, particularly its focus on culturally responsive education and real-world readiness. However, we remain deeply concerned that eliminating the Regents exams and implementing new graduation measures could weaken educational equity.
New York Must Act Now to Address the Adolescent Literacy Crisis
In its new report titled “Every Grade Counts: The State of Adolescent Literacy in New York,” EdTrust-New York builds on its 2023 early literacy work and highlights the urgent need for bold state and local action. The report urges leaders to provide older students, who were never properly taught how to read in elementary school, with resources and targeted support aligned to the science of reading.