Legislators question Board of Regents candidates on equity, graduation measures, funding and charter growth

Albany — Legislators from both houses questioned Board of Regents candidates and Chancellor Lester Young at a joint Senate–Assembly education committee hearing about how the regents plan to advance equity, change graduation measures and respond to looming federal funding and policy changes.

Chancellor Lester Young framed the regents’ work around measurable results and broader measures of student learning. “The purpose of schooling is learning,” Young said, arguing the Board of Regents must adopt policies and “equitable accountability” that give districts multiple ways to measure students’ readiness for college and careers. He said the regents are pressing ahead on implementing the Blue Ribbon Committee’s graduation recommendations and the “portrait of a graduate” approach to avoid relying on single-test outcomes.

Lawmakers pressed candidates and regents on several recurring concerns: whether new graduation measures will replace or supplement Regents exams; the possible impact of federal budget cuts and altered program rules on Title I, special education and other grant-funded positions; charter-school approvals and community saturation; long-running oversight of East Ramapo and other troubled districts; and classroom management issues such as student use of cell phones.

Why it matters: The Board of Regents sets policy that affects roughly the state’s K–12 population, teacher preparation programs and higher education articulation. Legislators said the hearing was meant to test candidates’ readiness to translate statewide policy into support for local districts, especially those with high need.

Key points from the hearing

- Equity and multiple measures: Young emphasized that New York needs “multiple measures” of student learning and stronger communication to families and educators about performance and growth. He cited cases where students passed Regents exams but still required remedial courses in college, saying that outcome argues for expanded, competency-based measures.

- Graduation and the Blue Ribbon report: Candidates and regents repeatedly referenced the board’s Blue Ribbon committee recommendations. Young said the regents and legislature must supply resources to execute those recommendations so multiple graduation pathways become real options rather than theoretical reforms.

- Federal funding risk: Several lawmakers asked how the state will respond if federal programs are scaled back. Regent Frances Willis and candidate Deborah Stern both told legislators they view imminent reductions in federal education spending as a major operational risk for districts that rely on grant-funded staff.

- East Ramapo oversight: Regent Frances Willis described continued regents involvement in East Ramapo, including monitors appointed by the state education department, and said the regents remain focused on restoring resources to public-school students in that district.

- Charter-school approvals and community impact: Several candidates who are former or current charter-school leaders defended their work but acknowledged concerns about financial impacts on district budgets. Deborah Stern (founder/executive director, Imani Public Charter School in Mount Vernon) told legislators that her charter was created to strengthen local options and keep families in the community; other questioners emphasized the fiscal effect when students leave a district.

- Classroom issues, technology and AI: Lawmakers asked about the role of AI and digital literacy in the curriculum and debated district-level cell-phone restrictions. Regent Frances Willis said she “does not agree with the idea of a wholesale mandate” on cell phones and favored locally determined policies after district-level discussion with parents and students.

- Teacher preparation and supports: Candidates and the chancellor emphasized teacher preparation, culturally responsive practice and support systems for educators and families as central to closing outcome gaps. Several speakers urged aligning K–12 and higher education (a “P–20” approach) to improve teacher training and school leadership pipelines.

Quotes from the hearing

- “The purpose of schooling is learning,” Chancellor Lester Young said, summarizing the regents’ approach to accountability and measurement.

- “This isn't about equality, providing the same to all, but about equity, recognizing that different students need different levels of support to achieve similar outcomes,” Deborah Stern, executive director of Imani Public Charter School, said in her opening remarks.

- “I do not agree with the idea of a wholesale mandate. I believe that we have a local school ethos in school district ethos in New York State,” Regent Frances Willis said about statewide cell-phone mandates.

- “Special education students need to be provided with a level playing field just like everyone else,” candidate Felicia Thomas Williams said when asked about implementation of IEPs.

What legislators asked for and next steps

Legislators repeatedly urged clearer implementation timelines and resource plans for the Blue Ribbon graduation recommendations, more tangible plans for protecting grant-funded positions if federal funding declines, and better data and communication about where programs and arts/cultural supports are offered statewide. No votes or formal nominations were recorded during the session; the hearing was presented as a candidate-questioning and information-gathering forum. Lawmakers said they will remain engaged with regents and the State Education Department as proposals move from recommendation to implementation.

Ending

Speakers left the hearing noting the breadth of issues that the Board of Regents oversees — from graduation definitions to special education, charter authorization and the interplay of federal and state funding. Multiple candidates and regents told legislators they are prepared to continue work on graduation measures and on building supports for educators and students if appointed or reappointed to the board.