Educators for Excellence-New York (E4E-NY) Responds to Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2026 State of the State Message

Evan Stone, Co-Founder and CEO of E4E, issued the following statement:

“We’re beyond thrilled that in 2026, Governor Hochul plans to prioritize high-quality instruction and sustainable teacher pipelines – a direct response to what educators want and students need to succeed. The Governor’s investment in reading instruction is especially encouraging. Targeting high-needs districts to deliver in-service professional learning pilot programs recognizes a critical truth: evidence-based curriculum only works when educators are adequately supported to implement it well. And we hope it’s an effort that is eventually expanded statewide. The proposal to offer a Science of Reading microcredential at no cost also signals a commitment not just to implementation, but to equity and impact.

“It’s also promising to see this same urgency applied to math. Math proficiency is a proven gateway to advanced coursework, graduation, college enrollment, and long-term earnings. At a moment when declining math achievement threatens students’ futures and the state’s economic health, proposals to develop instructional best practices, expand regional professional learning pilots, and strengthen tutoring supports in the lowest-performing districts are both timely and necessary. 

“Taken together—along with investments in ‘grow your own’ educator pathways that offer high school students college credit toward becoming an educator—these proposals are a great start, and are hopefully a springboard to fully backstop and build on the work already underway in New York City through NYC Reads and NYC Solves. We look forward to partnering with the Governor and the legislature to ensure these initiatives move forward, are guided by educators, and eventually built upon even further to make New York the best place in the country to learn and teach.”

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About E4E-NY

E4E-NY is a teacher-led organization with over 18,000 members across NYC, working to ensure that educators’ voices are at the center of the policies that impact their classrooms, profession, and students. Learn more at e4e.org.