Virtual & Online Schooling:

• New York does not have a statewide virtual school or multi-district school options, but does provide districts with access to fully online learning courses. Certain districts, like New York City Public Schools, which has recently made virtual school a permanent option for students.

• Impressively, New York has eight school districts that are members of the Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools, providing over 1,000,000 students digital learning opportunities in the state! The League of Innovative Schools is a national network of school leaders in 150 districts in 38 states that aim to enhance and scale digital learning opportunities for students across the nation.

Digital Learning Resources:

• New York’s Department of Education’s website offers resources for digital learning, including technology tools, online content resources, and affiliate state organization support.

• Curious about your district’s internet access? ConnectK-12 provides state- and district-specific information on access to the recommended bandwidth speeds and monthly internet costs. 

Career & Technical and/or Work-based Education:

• NY’s CTE framework allows students to explore various clusters of industry and career focused pathways. In 2017, legislation aimed to revitalize these CTE programs and focus on industry partnerships to align with state-specific work-force needs.

• The state also encourages work-based learning via experiences like internships, apprenticeships, and job shadowing. Students can participate in registered and unregistered work-based learning programs.

• New York offers students the opportunity to earn a Regents Diploma with a CTE concentration, with many CTE programs also providing pathways to obtain industry-recognized certifications.

Personalized, Competency- and/or Mastery-based Learning:

• While not expressly encouraged through state law or guidance, some schools and districts are creating personalized learning environments in their schools. In NYC, MS 442 School for Innovation offers a mastery-based curriculum. Syracuse City School District, one of the biggest school districts in the state, is one of 18 districts and two Boards of Cooperative Education Services schools that have partnered with Education Elements to implement personalized learning models.

Innovation Schools, Zones, and/or Districts:

• New York also has an Office of Innovation and School Reform, which under law allows the district or state to establish a holistic support framework for school innovation and the revitalization of underperforming schools.