Board of Regents Advances Budget and Legislative Priorities for the 2026–27 School Year

The New York State Board of Regents today outlined its budget and legislative priorities for the 2026-27 school year. The Board’s proposals focus on promoting excellence and equity in education for all students in New York State—from Prekindergartners to those pursuing higher education—and identify solutions to better meet the needs of underserved districts, justice system-involved youth who reside in detention settings, and students with disabilities. Each proposal aligns with the State Education Department’s ongoing work under the NY Inspires plan to transform education and equip students with the necessary skills to enter an ever-evolving workforce.

Top priorities include expanding Universal Prekindergarten, increasing opportunities for Career and Technical Education, aligning instructional requirements with new graduation measures, and supporting students’ access to higher education. Proposed Foundation Aid formula enhancements would better account for English Language Learners and students experiencing homelessness, and support districts seeking to maintain existing levels of educational services.

Additional proposals would fund capital projects at the State Education Building, the Cultural Education Center, the State’s three Nation schools, the New York State School for the Blind, and the New York State School for the Deaf. The Board also requested the creation of a consistent funding stream into the Cultural Education Fund to provide operating support for the State Museum, the State Library, and the State Archives. 

Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. said, “At its core, the Board of Regents is dedicated to the mission of ensuring that every student in New York State has an equal opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed. This year’s budget priorities reflect the Board’s steadfast commitment to equity and excellence for all students, across every community and of every background, while addressing the most pressing challenges shaping their education today. We remain resolute in championing the resources and support necessary for every student to thrive at every stage of their educational journey.” 

Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said, “As we advance the NY Inspires plan and reimagine what it means to earn a high school diploma, we must look holistically at every part of New York’s educational landscape. The budget and legislative priorities for the year ahead signal a clear path forward—one that levels the playing field for every student and ensures a high-quality educational experience. From expanding career-focused pathways to broadening access to education, each priority is grounded in what matters most: our students.”

State Aid Proposal

The Regents State Aid proposal calls for a $1.1 billion increase in State Aid for the 2026-27 school year. The budget request includes:

• $996.8 million increase in Foundation Aid, a $283.3 million increase over current law projections of $713.5 million. This would enhance funding for districts serving English Language Learners and provide new funding to support essential services for students experiencing homelessness, as well as a minimum increase to maintain existing levels of educational services.
• $30.1 million increase for formula enhancements that would allow nearly 1,500 new students in high-need districts to enroll in prekindergarten and enhance funding for CTE.   
• $96.9 million increase in reimbursement-based Aid under current law projections.

Budget and Legislative Priority Highlights

The priorities outlined in the Regents proposal balance the fiscal constraints facing New York State and the need to maintain equitable educational opportunities statewide, while continuing to move NY Inspires initiatives forward. These priorities include:

• Grad Measures/NY Inspires: $5.1 million to update graduate requirements to reflect real-world skills and learning, create technical assistance centers to support districts in their implementation of new graduation requirements, and provide professional development for teachers and school leaders to evaluate learning through innovative, real-world measures. 
• Universal Prekindergarten: $20 million to expand access to high-quality early learning opportunities to nearly 1,500 students in districts based on need and capacity. 
• Office of Cultural Education (OCE) Revenue Stabilization: $12 million State general fund appropriation to provide consistent funding to the State Museum, State Library, and the State Archives. OCE’s current funding stream, the Cultural Education Fund, is a $15 Real Estate Deed Transfer Fee that relies both on the number of real estate transactions, and on a fee that has not increased in 20 years. As a result, OCE has operated at a deficit in 15 out of the last 17 years, impacting OCE’s staffing, collections, historical preservation, and quality of services and programming. 
• State-Owned School Buildings: $211 million to support infrastructure improvements at the New York State School for the Blind at Batavia, New York State School for the Deaf at Rome, St. Regis Mohawk Nation School at Akwesasne, Tuscarora Nation School, and Onondaga Nation School. 
• Education in Juvenile Justice Settings: $1.5 million for planning funds and initial staff support to create a new model school district that provides in-person and hybrid coursework, transferable credentials, and career preparation to justice-involved youth. 
• Career and Technical Education (CTE): $10.1 million to help non-BOCES districts offer robust CTE opportunities, ensure consistent statewide access, and sustain programs aligned to regional workforce needs. BOCES aid will grow for three years under existing law; this recommendation will maintain parity for the city school districts that do not belong to BOCES.  
• Shared Services Innovation Fund: $10 million to provide grants to remove start-up barriers for districts and BOCES that developed regional activity plans for shared services. 
• Free and Appropriate Education for Students with Disabilities: Proposal to update State aid statutes to cover the cost of educational services for students with disabilities until the age of 22, rather than the current statutory age of 21, to align with court rulings and relieve school districts from covering the additional year of costs without State reimbursement. 
• Higher Education Access and Opportunity Programs: $11.2 million for programs that promote equity in access to higher education through financial and academic support services, including the Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP), the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP), the Liberty Partnerships Program (LPP), and the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), plus an additional $1 million to fund the Foster Youth College Success Initiative, as well as $2 million to support postsecondary success for students with disabilities. 
• New York State Summer School for the Arts: $2 million to provide residential programming and scholarships for students interested in the arts, expand artistic disciplines offered, and make the program more accessible for all students.

A full description of the Board’s 2026-27 Legislative and Budget priorities may be found on the Department’s website.