Idea of regional vocational schools floated at Board of Regents meeting

On Board Online • October 10, 2022

By Christopher Carola
Special Correspondent

More funding for vocational programs, including the creation of new regional high schools, is one of the State Education Department's "big, big priorities" in the next state budget, Education Commissioner Betty Rosa said during October's Board of Regents meeting.

While BOCES have excellent career and technical education offerings, members of the Board of Regents pointed out that student access to those programs varies depending on the local school district. There is always a local cost per student, although a portion of BOCES tuition is reimbursable.

One hindrance to expanding vocational courses is the fact that the BOCES aid formula hasn't changed in decades, according to Jim Baldwin, SED's senior deputy commissioner. Access to BOCES varies across the state, resulting in a "crazy quilt" of CTE programs, he said.

"Districts cannot access them without paying."

Rosa said SED has held ongoing conversations with stakeholders about how the agency can leverage what she called "these amazing models" of BOCES programs and expand them to other regions of the state, including the Big Five public school districts - New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Yonkers. Those districts aren't part of a BOCES.

"Our students can't access them and it's not fair," said Regent Catherine Collins of Buffalo.

Meanwhile, SED is encouraging districts to boost BOCES access wherever possible, Baldwin said. "The data on the power of CTE is so persuasive," he said. "We know regional technical education offers an opportunity for students to succeed."

Access to tech education programs is something parents and students are "craving and they're asking for more," said Regent Aramina Vega Ferrer.

"There was a time students could, throughout New York State, choose to be in those programs and still continue in an academic program," she said.