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Back to School

Back to School

Back-to-School Resources

The following resources are intended to provide ideas and inspiration for teachers and administrators as they welcome students back to school. 

The New York State Education Department applauds and thanks the thousands of teachers and administrators in New York State who do everything possible to ensure their students' health, safety, well-being, and education.

Resources

  • Welcome Back Video
    • Welcome back to school! Watch Commissioner Betty A. Rosa’s video message to educators, students, and families.
  • Graduation Measures

    • The Graduation Measures Initiative demonstrates the New York State Education Department’s commitment to transforming education in New York State to meet the expectations voiced by stakeholders and the challenges of the 21st century.

    • In July 2025, the Board of Regents and the Department officially adopted the New York State Portrait of a Graduate. The Portrait of a Graduate serves as a forward-looking framework, where academic excellence intersects with the demands of a dynamic, rapidly changing world.
    • To ensure clarity and support stakeholders’ shared understanding of the Portrait, the Department developed “Need-to-Know” documents for students, parents, educators, administrators, and school board members.
  • Media Literacy Toolkit

    • New York’s Media Literacy Toolkit helps educators teach students to spot misinformation online. The toolkit includes the following topics:

      • Overview of the 21st century media landscape
      • Introduction to media literacy
      • Key questions for analyzing, evaluating, and using media
      • Importance of media literacy
      • Educator tools/resources
  • Student Well-being
    The New York State Education Department is committed to providing resources to help you in this essential work, including:
  • Digital Learning Resources Website
    • These resources may be used for ideas and inspiration as districts, schools, and teachers utilize technology to provide high-quality learning experiences for their students.