Governor Kathy Hochul is putting $14.4 million into training programs aimed at getting more educators into New York classrooms, with a focus on filling teacher shortages.
The funding—part of the state’s Education Workforce Investment—will go to SUNY, CUNY, and private colleges through two initiatives: the Upskilling Paraprofessionals Program and the Alternative Teacher Certification Program. The first supports teaching assistants and paraprofessionals in earning full teacher certification. The second creates graduate-level alternative certification pathways to reduce time and cost barriers for career changers.
SUNY New Paltz and Queens College will receive $4.5 million for the paraprofessional program. Bank Street Graduate School of Education, Adelphi University, University at Buffalo, City College of New York, and others will share $9.9 million for alternative certification.
Hochul said the investment will “expand opportunity, address teacher shortages, and build a stronger, more equitable education system.” Education leaders from SUNY, CUNY, and private institutions praised the move as a way to remove barriers and attract diverse talent into the profession.
The awards mark the second year of the program, with nearly $1 million more in funding than last year.
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