Education
Industry
Snapshot | Economy/Cost of
Living
Recreation
& Entertainment | Transportation
| Geography & Climate
History | Suggested Reading List
New York has the most complete, interconnected system of education services in the country. The University of the State of New York is the agency that oversees education from pre-kindergarten to graduate school. It was established in 1784 and is governed by a sixteen-member Board of Regents who are elected by the state legislature. The Board of Regents and its State Education Department are constitutionally responsible for setting education policy, standards, and rules and for making sure they are carried out. The board also appoints the state commissioner of education, oversees colleges and universities, certifies teachers, distributes funds, governs 39 licensed professions, oversees public broadcasting, and operates the state archives, library, and museum.
New York spends more money per student than any other state but Alaska, and education is compulsory from ages six to 16 (17 in Buffalo and New York City). High school students are required to take standardized tests called regents' exams before graduating, and scores on the exams are used to measure school performance as well as award scholarships. According to the Nation's Report Card, over the past 10 years New York's 4th and 8th graders have consistently received average or higher than average scores in mathematics, reading, and science.
In 1948, public institutions of higher education were incorporated into the State University of New York (SUNY). Major university centers are located in Albany, Buffalo, Binghampton, and Stony Brook. The system also includes teachers colleges, two-year state institutions, and community colleges. Since its inception, the state system has been the fastest growing institution of public higher education in the country. The City University of New York (CUNY) is supported by both the state and New York City and includes Brooklyn College, City College, and Queens College.
Historically private colleges and universities have dominated higher education in New York, and the state is home to over 200 private schools, including some of the best known colleges in the nation. New York is home to two Ivy League schools, Columbia University and Cornell University. Columbia University, the oldest university in the state, was established in 1754 as King's College, and is well known for its graduate instruction as well as its influential teachers college. Cornell University, a privately endowed university and the federal land-grant institution of New York State, specializes in agriculture, veterinary medicine, and industrial/labor relations. The University of Rochester is renowned for programs in music and the natural sciences, and Syracuse University was the first university established to train students for public service. Other well-known universities include Colgate, Bard, Skidmore, Barnard, and Vassar.
Related Resources:
Back to Destination New York
|
