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Climate Education

Proposed Amendment of Section 100.2 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education to Require Instruction in Climate Education  

In November 2024, the Department presented NY Inspires: A Plan to Transform Education in New York State. This plan included a timeline for implementing the four key transformations that established the proposed vision for implementing the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission (BRC). As part of Phase 1, consistent with the BRC’s recommendations, at the November 2025 Board of Regents meeting, the Department proposed the amendment of section 100.2(c) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education to require instruction in climate education for public school students in grades kindergarten (K) through 12.  

The proposed amendment will: 

  • Require instruction in climate education be provided to elementary school students by the end of grade 4, to middle school students by the end of grade 8, and to high school students by the end of grade 12. 
  • Provide for a multi-year phase-in approach for the new instructional requirement for climate education:
    • Middle Grade Band (Grades 5–8) and High School Grade Band (Grades 9–12): Implementation beginning with the 2027–2028 School Year
    • Elementary Grade Band (Grades K–4): Implementation beginning with the 2028–2029 School Year.
  • For the 2027-2028 and 2028-2029 school years, require each school district to submit verification to the Commissioner of Education that it has implemented instruction in climate education within the grade bands prescribed in the regulations.   

Public comment on the proposed amendment can be submitted to REGCOMMENTS@nysed.gov  and/or mailed to: 

Santosha Oliver, Assistant Commissioner

NYS Education Department, Office of Standards & Instruction

89 Washington Avenue, Room 860 EBA

Albany, NY 12234

 

Comments must be received on or before January 19, 2026. 

Following the 60-day public comment period required under the State Administrative Procedure Act, it is anticipated that the proposed amendment will be presented for permanent adoption at the March 2026 Board of Regents meeting.  

To support school districts in planning for the proposed instructional requirement in climate education, the New York State Education Department has a developed the memorandum New Instructional Requirements in Personal Finance Education and Climate Education. Additional information and guidance on the proposed amendment to require instruction in climate education can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions and Guidance and Resources. 

Questions regarding the proposed instructional requirement for climate education may be sent to the Office of Standards and Instruction at P12StandardsInstruction@nysed.gov.