An opinion piece argues that New York State's education system is experiencing a significant decline, characterized by falling enrollment, increased spending, and stagnant or declining academic results. The author proposes a fundamental reform: abolishing the Board of Regents and granting the governor direct oversight of the State Department of Education.
The Board of Regents currently sets most educational policies in New York, selects the State Education Commissioner, determines graduation requirements, approves changes to the state testing program, and supervises all educational activities. However, the governor has no role in appointing Regents members, who are appointed by the legislature, with the Assembly wielding significant influence. According to the article, this has led to a board whose members are largely affiliated with the Democratic Party, influenced by teachers' unions that oppose school choice and accountability measures.
This structure, the author contends, prevents meaningful progress, even with a reform-minded governor. The piece points to the Board of Regents' historical opposition to school choice initiatives and its efforts to hinder the expansion of charter schools, which the article states consistently outperform district-run schools for disadvantaged students. The board has also reportedly opposed the use of federally funded scholarships for private school tuition.
Despite these criticisms, the article notes instances where reforms have been implemented, such as the use of federally issued tax credits for scholarships, which the board could not legally block. These actions are presented as occurring in spite of, rather than because of, the Board of Regents.
The author suggests that while the State Constitution mandates the existence of the board, it allows for revisions to the appointment process and powers. The ideal scenario, according to the piece, would be to revoke the board's role in appointing the state education commissioner, thereby allowing New York families to have greater control over their children's education. The opinion is attributed to Ray Domanico, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute.