Education

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Voices of NYC: AI Starts With Teacher Learning

As schools rapidly adopt artificial intelligence tools, the conversation often centers on how students will use them. In this Voices of NYC commentary, Brooklyn College professor Dr. Sonia Murrow argues that the greater challenge is ensuring teachers receive the ongoing support needed to adapt their instruction. Drawing on interviews with New York City educators, she contends that while AI technology is advancing quickly, professional learning has not kept pace. Rather than relying on occasional workshops, she makes the case for sustained collaboration that helps teachers thoughtfully integrate AI while preserving critical thinking and meaningful learning in the classroom.

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NY AG James Sues Trump Admin Over Mental Health Cuts

New York Attorney General Letitia James has joined a coalition of 14 attorneys general in filing a new lawsuit to block the U.S. Department of Education from ending federal grants that support school-based mental health services. The coalition argues the administration is attempting to bypass a previous court ruling that prevented similar funding cuts by using a different legal approach. If the funding is eliminated, schools across New York could lose millions of dollars used to hire counselors, psychologists, and social workers, potentially reducing access to critical mental health services for thousands of students.

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CUNY Celebrates World Cup With Fans Across NYC

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup gets underway, CUNY is bringing together students, faculty and fans from around the world to celebrate the sport’s global impact. Through expert commentary, special programming, a television advertising campaign, a World Cup watch party and student-athlete features, the University is highlighting the diverse cultures and communities that make soccer one of the most unifying sports on the planet. The celebration reflects CUNY’s international student body and the strong connection many New Yorkers have to the teams and traditions represented in the tournament.

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NYC Opens Free 2-K Applications for Families Citywide

New York City has officially launched applications for its first round of free 2-K seats, marking a major expansion of early childhood education and child care access for working families. The initiative, announced by Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul, will provide 2,000 seats this fall in selected school districts across Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens, with plans to significantly expand the program over the next several years. Families in eligible districts can now apply for free early learning opportunities designed to help children get a strong educational start while easing the financial burden of child care costs.

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Mamdani Unveils $124.7B NYC Budget Plan

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has released a $124.7 billion Fiscal Year 2027 Executive Budget focused on stabilizing the city’s finances while expanding investments in housing, child care, public safety, libraries, parks, NYCHA, mental health services, and affordability initiatives. The administration says the budget closes major fiscal gaps through savings measures, state support, and new tax revenue without raising property taxes or cutting essential services. The plan also includes major capital investments in affordable housing and NYCHA renovations, alongside expanded support for working-class New Yorkers across all five boroughs.

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CUNY Beyond Council Connects Students to Careers

The City University of New York has launched the CUNY Beyond Advisory Council, bringing together leaders from business, philanthropy and academia to help strengthen career-connected learning across the University system. The initiative is part of CUNY Beyond, an ambitious effort designed to connect students with career exposure, internships, mentorship and professional opportunities from the start of their college journey.

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Mamdani Unveils Brooklyn School Bike Safety Plan

New York City Mayor Mamdani joined families and students riding with the Bergen Bike Bus in Brooklyn to unveil a series of safety improvements designed to make biking to school safer and more accessible. The announcement highlights the city’s continued investment in protected bike lanes, traffic calming measures, and family-friendly street design, reinforcing a broader push to support sustainable transportation while prioritizing the safety of children and caregivers across New York City.

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CUNY Dean Named to National Education Panel

The City University of New York announced that University Dean for Education, Ashleigh Thompson, has been appointed by Kathy Hochul to serve on the Education Commission of the States. The appointment places Thompson among a select group of national leaders shaping education policy, with a focus on issues like college affordability, teacher pipeline development, and student success. Her selection highlights CUNY’s growing influence in education policy discussions at both the state and national levels.

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NYC Launches $4.5M Green Jobs Training Pilot Program

New York City has launched a $4.5 million, three-year green jobs training program to prepare residents for careers in climate resilience and environmental infrastructure. Led by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection in partnership with The Doe Fund, the GROW (Green Readiness Opportunities for the Workforce) initiative will train New Yorkers—including individuals facing employment barriers—to maintain green infrastructure like rain gardens in Brooklyn and Queens. The program aims to expand the city’s climate workforce while reducing flooding and supporting sustainable urban development.