Every year, high schools across New York graduate students who struggle with basic reading and math skills. Yet, the state Board of Regents is adding a new “climate science” requirement. Starting in 2027, as part of the Regents’ “New York Inspires” plan, schools will be required to teach K-12 students about what causes climate change, how it affects ecosystems and people, and possible solutions. Apparently, state education officials are concerned that some teachers might be sharing the wrong messages with students.
There are reasons to question whether state Education Commissioner Betty Rosa or board Chancellor Lester Young Jr. possess the expertise and critical-thinking skills necessary to oversee the development of a rigorous climate-science curriculum. This decision seems to reflect a politics-first approach rather than a commitment to educational quality.
Over the past several years, the Board of Regents has also weakened academic standards, watered down state proficiency exams, and lowered graduation requirements. Independent testing consistently shows New York students performing only average compared to the rest of the country, despite New York spending more per student than any other state.
Rather than addressing the root problems in New York’s public schools, Rosa and her colleagues seem more focused on hiding the system’s failures. Introducing “climate education” as a signature reform is just another diversion. The reality behind the “New York Inspires” initiative is a growing trend: more and more families are leaving the state in search of better educational opportunities for their children.
https://nypost.com/2025/11/16/opinion/board-of-regents-mandates-climate-curricula-as-ny-kids-still-struggle-with-math-and-reading/
