Plugged In To Education

July 22, 2025

Coverage of updates in lower education, higher education & human services.

What’s Inside

  • Attorney General James Sues Trump Administration for Gutting Critical Social Services
  • Governor Hochul Highlights Distraction-Free Schools Momentum
  • Newly Released Master Plan for Aging Offers Roadmap for Aging New Yorkers
  • NYSED Tracking Emergent Issues in Higher Education
  • Attorney General James Defends Critical Immigration Services for Unaccompanied Children
  • OPWDD Announces Executive Deputy Commissioner
  • U.S. Department of Education Press Releases
  • Funding Opportunities
  • State Register
  • Coming Up

Attorney General James Sues Trump Administration for Gutting Critical Social Services

New York Attorney General Letitia James led a coalition of 20 other attorneys general in suing the federal administration to stop its unlawful attempt to gut lifesaving health, education, and social service programs for low-income families. Earlier this month, in a chaotic reversal of decades of agency policy, the administration issued sweeping new directives barring many safety net programs from serving all residents, regardless of immigration status. The changes threaten access to core services such as Head Start, Meals on Wheels, child welfare programs, domestic violence shelters, housing assistance, mental health treatment, food banks, and community health centers. Attorney General James and the coalition are asking the court to halt these policies and act quickly to prevent the collapse of some of the nation’s most vital public programs.

Governor Hochul Highlights Distraction-Free Schools Momentum

Governor Kathy Hochul highlighted growing momentum for New York’s implementation of distraction-free schools this fall, as nearly 150 school districts statewide have already submitted their plans for bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions – well in advance of the State’s August 1 deadline. These early submissions also came following Governor Hochul’s launch of a State website for distraction-free schools, which provides a policy FAQ, external informational toolkit and other resources to help districts as they finalize their policy.

Newly Released Master Plan for Aging Offers Roadmap for Aging New Yorkers

Governor Kathy Hochul released the Final Report for New York’s first-ever Master Plan for Aging (MPA). The MPA Final Report contains more than 100 proposals directed towards all levels of government, the social sector and private enterprise, all with the aim of helping individuals age with dignity, independence and the support they need and deserve to thrive. The Master Plan for Aging, led by the New York State Department of Health, the New York State Office for the Aging, and the New York State Department of State is the product of a collaborative effort with dozens of stakeholders inside and outside of government.

New York has the fourth-largest population of older adults in the U.S., with 3.2 million individuals – about 16 percent of the population – over age 65. The state’s population of those over the age of 60 is projected to grow to 5.3 million by 2030, with those over 80 years of age exceeding 1.2 million – growing faster than any other age group in some areas of the state. By 2030, older adults will make up 25 to 30 percent of the population in most New York counties.

NYSED Tracking Emergent Issues in Higher Education

Recognizing that higher education has experienced profound changes in recent months related to the new federal administration’s executive orders and shifts in policy, legislative, and funding initiatives, the State Education Department launched a website with updated information and resources related to these issues which will be updated as they evolve.

Attorney General James Defends Critical Immigration Services for Unaccompanied Children

New York Attorney General Letitia James joined a coalition of 19 other states in defending essential legal services for unaccompanied immigrant children, many of whom fled violence, human trafficking, and other threats in their native countries and have no parent or guardian in the United States to protect them. In an amicus brief filed with the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, Attorney General James and the coalition argue that federal law requires the federal government to ensure legal representation for these children to the greatest extent practicable, and that cutting these services will endanger vulnerable children who depend on immigration lawyers to access housing, health care, education, and more.

OPWDD Announces Executive Deputy Commissioner

The Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) Commissioner Willow Baer announced last week that Dr. John Barbuto has agreed to serve as OPWDD’s new Acting Executive Deputy Commissioner. John currently serves as the Agency’s Deputy Commissioner of the Division of State Operations and brings a career of professional experience in the developmental disabilities field, a deep commitment to the work of OPWDD, and a vision for the future.

U.S. Department of Education Press Releases

U.S. Department of Education Issues Guidance on Artificial Intelligence Use in Schools, Proposes Additional Supplemental Priority– Today, the U.S. Department of Education sent a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) to grantees and future grantees on leveraging federal grant funds to improve education outcomes through Artificial Intelligence (AI). This guidance outlines how AI may be used across key educational functions, articulates principles for the responsible use of AI, and affirms that such uses are allowable under existing federal education programs, provided they align with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. 

U.S. Department of Education Announces Immediate Implementation of Higher Education Provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act– The U.S. Department of Education released a ‘Dear Colleague Letter’ (DCL) outlining the immediate implementation of numerous higher education provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB). The DCL provides preliminary guidance to institutions of higher education and FSA’s partners on changes to income-based repayment plans, repayment options for parents, loan limits for part-time students, and Biden-era borrower defense to repayment and closed school discharge regulations. Other key provisions, such as building the new Repayment Assistance Plan and the new Workforce Pell Grant program, will become effective next year, with other changes phased in over the next few years.

U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Labor Implement Workforce Development Partnership– The U.S. Departments of Education (ED) and Labor (DOL) announced the implementation of a workforce development partnership to create an integrated federal education and workforce system. DOL will take on a greater role in administering the adult education and family literacy programs funded under Title II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and career and technical education (CTE) programs funded by the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins V). The programs will be managed alongside ED staff, with continued leadership and oversight by ED. 

Funding Opportunities

The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), acting upon the recommendation of the New York State Juvenile Justice Advisory Group (JJAG), seeks applications to create the first ever Transformative Youth Justice Hubs (Hubs) in New York State. Nonprofit community-based organizations, local municipal education agencies, or institutes of higher education may apply for up to $4 million to fund approximately four Hubs designed to support youth justice prevention efforts in rural or urban areas in New York State. DCJS anticipates that each award will total approximately one ($1) million, over a three-year period. Due July 30, 2025

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the launch of the 2025 Regional Economic Development Council Initiative (REDC). New in 2025 is the Governor’s $150 million Advancing Collaboration for High-impact Initiatives for Economic Visions & Expansion competition — ACHIEVE — aimed at empowering the REDCs to advance catalytic economic development projects backed by enhanced implementation funding to jump-start regional growth. The CFA portal is now open for the 2025 programs. For programs subject to the deadline, applications must be submitted by Thursday, July 31 at 4 p.m. Open enrollment programs are not subject to the July 31 deadline and will continue to accept applications on an ongoing basis until funds are exhausted.

Governor Hochul announced the New York Building Recreational Infrastructure for Communities, Kids and Seniors (NY BRICKS) Initiative, a new competitive grant program to facilitate the design, construction, and renovation of Community Centers in Communities across the State for Municipalities and Not-for-profit Entities. NY BRICKS Grants can be used to fund the acquisition, design, construction, major renovation, and equipping of a Community Center, along with other related Capital Costs necessary to effectuate the NY BRICKS Initiative. Due August 15, 2025

State Register

State Education Department

  • Use of Therapeutic Pharmaceutical Agents and Continuing Education Requirements for Licensed Optometrists (Emergency)
  • Diploma Assessment Requirements (Emergency)
  • Supplementary Certificate and Supplementary Bilingual Education Extension Requirements (Emergency & Proposed)
  • Professional Learning Plans (Adopted)
  • Execution by Registered Professional Nurses of Non-Patient Specific Orders (Adopted)
  • Reimagining the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Accountability System (Adopted)
  • Special Subject Tenure Areas (Proposed)
  • Performance-Based Learning and Assessment Networks (PLAN) Pilot Program (Proposed)
  • Technical Amendment of Section 52.21 (Proposed)

Coming Up

Upcoming Regents Meeting Dates

  • August – Recess
  • September 8 – 9
  • October 6 – 7
  • November 3 – 4
  • December 15 – 16

State Board Meetings

  • Respiratory Therapy: July 24, 2025
  • Engineering, Land Surveying & Geology: September 4, 2025 (Albany)
  • Medicine: September 5, 2025 (New York City)
  • Chiropractic: September 11, 2025 (Albany)
  • Speech-Language Pathology: September 19, 2025 (Albany)
  • Interior Design: September 19, 2025 (New York City)
  • Occupational Therapy: September 25, 2025 (Albany, New York City & Syracuse)

Not-For-Profit Contracting Advisory Committee

  • September 16, 2025
  • October 28, 2025

Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board

  • September 12, 2025- 1450 Western Avenue, Albany, NY 12203 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • October 16, 2025- 1450 Western Avenue, Albany, NY 12203 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Plugged In to Education is prepared by Hinman Straub P.C. and is intended to keep our clients informed about news and Legislative and regulatory developments that may affect or otherwise be of interest to them. The comments contained herein do not constitute legal opinion and should not be regarded as a substitute for legal advice. If you prefer not to receive these updates, please alert us so we may remove you from our distribution list. © Hinman Straub P.C. 2025. All rights reserved.