Statement from the New York State School Boards Association Executive Director Robert S. Schneider on Back to School 2026

FOR RELEASE: September 3, 2026

Next week, school board members, administrators and teachers will welcome students back to the classroom in schools throughout New York State.

For those of us in education, this is an exciting time of the year. School leaders have been eagerly anticipating students’ return and putting the final touches on preparations for the school year – from finalizing classroom schedules to planning transportation routes.

This year, school districts will be implementing new curriculum requirements for high school and middle school students. Students in grades 5 through 12 will be required to study personal finance education, either as a stand-alone course, embedded in an existing subject, or as part of Career and Technical Education programming. Gaining an understanding of budgeting, money management, credit, saving and investing will serve our students well in their future. The new requirement is part of the implementation of the State Education Department’s NY Inspires Plan and Portrait of a Graduate.

This year also ushers in the second year of the state’s cell phone ban. Despite this ban, many educators still express ongoing concerns about excessive use of screen time by students. NYSSBA understands these concerns and believes local school boards and communities, including all stakeholders, can work together to craft workable solutions.

During the coming school year, some school boards will no doubt be tested by unexpected challenges, including budgetary, staffing or technology-related issues. Whatever form these challenges take, our communities can rest assured that school board members will meet them head-on so that our schools and our students have all of the support and resources they need to thrive.