Education

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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.

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Hochul Launches $50K CUNY Teaching Scholarship

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the $50,000 Evelyn Linares Legacy Scholarship at CUNY City College to support students entering the teaching profession, expanding New York’s investment in education, workforce development, and equity while addressing the statewide teacher shortage.

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Mamdani, Cardi B Promote 2-K Applications June 2

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Cardi B announced that New York City’s new 2-K program will begin accepting applications on June 2 through June 26, 2026, offering free child care for two-year-olds in select districts. The announcement also introduces a citywide jingle competition to promote enrollment, as the administration moves toward universal access to early childhood education.

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CUNY Chancellor Visits BMCC for CUNY Reconnect

City University of New York Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez visited Borough of Manhattan Community College to highlight CUNY Reconnect, a tuition-free community college initiative for eligible adult learners, and to showcase BMCC’s early childhood education programs.