Gov. Kathy Hochul will move to limit cellphone use in New York schools this year as part of a broader education agenda focused on improving student mental health, expanding opportunities for early college, and more.
Specifics of state cellphone policy still unclear
New York is one of many states and school districts across the country that has considered adopting or taken steps to limit student cellphone use in schools. Some state lawmakers previously told Chalkbeat that there’s general support in Albany to take action on student cellphone use, but any statewide policy should leave decisions in the hands of school districts.
In New York City, former schools Chancellor David Banks seemed poised to implement a citywide ban last year before Adams intervened. Instead, the Education Department has been working with the Health Department to conduct a study on best practices for cellphone use in schools.
State funding for early college programs
This year, Hochul wants to establish a "College in High School Opportunity Fund," seeking to build institutional support for the model, which provides high school students with a chance to take college courses and receive additional mentorship opportunities while earning their diplomas. Across the country and the state, the model has seen success at improving college matriculation rates and other measures of academic achievement among high school students.
For example, participants in the City University of New York’s Early College program — which partners with 19 public middle and high schools across the five boroughs — graduated on time from the network’s colleges at higher rates than their peers. Meanwhile, more than three-quarters of students in the early college program graduated high school with college credits and enrolled in higher education, according to CUNY. At one local school — Kingsborough Early College Secondary School in Brooklyn — more than 65% of graduates in 2023 left high school with an associate degree.
Hochul’s proposal seeks to create a consistent source of funding for early college programs. The program will be free for all students and focus on helping those with high economic need earn college credits, according to state officials. In New York City, some schools are already using the model to help students prepare for higher education. And developing more opportunities for students to earn early college credits has been part of the city’s broader effort in recent years to bolster career and college readiness among young people.
Hochul also proposed other changes to expand college access, including making community college free for students between the ages of 25 and 55 who go on to work in high-demand fields after graduation — including education.
Protections against AI-powered chatbots, misinformation
During her State of the State address, Hochul raised concerns over the dangers posed by "harmful AI bots posing as friends." She warned that models that simulate human companionship could push users to form unhealthy relationships with the technology — potentially exacerbating mental health issues and pervasive loneliness among young people.
Hochul will propose legislation requiring AI companies to implement safety features, including protections against self-harm and built-in reminders that users are interacting with machines, according to state officials. And in a bid to foster media literacy skills in young people and defend against misinformation, she will direct the state’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services to develop a guide for teachers — equipping educators with age-specific examples — as well as resources for parents and a public education campaign.
Expanded youth mental health programs, child care, and more
Hochul’s proposals also included new initiatives to improve youth mental health, a major focus of her education agenda last year. Among her proposals are a teen mental health first aid program to train high school students in supporting themselves and their peers, an effort to connect licensed health care facilities with after-school programs to expand resources for students, and the development of "safe spaces for youth" where young people can access behavioral health support.
During her speech, Hochul vowed to dedicate $110 million to building and renovating child care centers, as well as to establish "a corps of substitute child care professionals so someone’s always on call." Hochul also proposed constructing new playgrounds and developing further opportunities for students to participate in extracurricular, recreational, and volunteer activities.
"To truly free our kids from social media we must give them safe places to simply be kids," she said. "It’s just common sense."
Conclusion
Governor Hochul’s education agenda for 2025 includes measures to promote student mental health, expand college opportunities, and limit cellphone use in schools. The proposals also focus on implementing AI guardrails to protect children from harmful AI chatbots and misinformation, and increasing funding for early college programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the governor’s proposal on cellphones in schools?
Governor Hochul proposes limiting cellphone use in New York schools as part of a broader education agenda. The specifics of the proposal are still unclear, but state lawmakers have expressed general support for taking action on student cellphone use. - How does the College in High School Opportunity Fund work?
The College in High School Opportunity Fund is a proposed source of funding for early college programs. The fund would provide a consistent source of support for institutions, making the model free for all students and focusing on helping those with high economic need earn college credits. - What is the goal of the AI guardrails proposal?
Governor Hochul’s AI guardrails proposal aims to require AI companies to implement safety features, including protections against self-harm and reminders that users are interacting with machines, to prevent harm to young people. The proposal also aims to foster media literacy skills in young people and defend against misinformation.
