Philip Sean Grillo for 26th Assembly District NYS - A True America First Candidate
Philip Sean Grillo for 26th Assembly District NYS - A True America First Candidate
New York’s children deserve better than a system that keeps telling families to “wait” while outcomes keep getting worse. Across the state, parents see the same pattern: students who aren’t reading on grade level, teenagers graduating without real‑world skills, and entire communities left behind because no one in Albany has treated education like the emergency it is. The state’s own College, Career, and Civic Readiness (CCCR) data shows deep gaps in preparation, and those gaps reflect years of weak leadership and a lack of urgency. The measure was supposed to ensure students were ready for college, careers, or civic life, but the reality tells a different story. Advanced coursework is still out of reach for too many students. Career and Technical Education programs remain underbuilt, even though New York desperately needs skilled trades. Educational resources vary wildly from district to district, creating unequal opportunity. It's time for change!
A comprehensive program would offer students the option to earn credits, certifications, and apprenticeships in fields such as: Technology, AI & Cyber Careers Artificial Intelligence Foundations - machine learning basics, automation, prompt engineering, ethical AI use Cybersecurity Operations - network defense, threat detection, digital forensics Information Technology Support - hardware, software, cloud systems, help‑desk certification Computer Networking & Systems Administration - routers, servers, enterprise systems Software & App Development - coding fundamentals, UI/UX, mobile app creation Robotics & Automation Engineering - sensors, programming, industrial robotics Data Analytics & Digital Tools - spreadsheets, databases, visualization, business intelligence Esports & Digital Media Production- broadcasting, editing, content creation, event management Skilled Trades & Technical Professions HVAC Technology - heating, cooling, refrigeration, & Plumbing.
New York spends more per student than any state in America, yet too many of our kids still graduate unprepared for college, work, or real life. District schools receive far more funding than charters, but charters often deliver stronger growth and better readiness with fewer dollars, proving the problem isn’t how much we spend, but how we spend it. I will introduce legislation to redirect a share of our record education budget into real vocational and trade pathways: expanding high school CTE (Career and Technical Education) programs, funding partnerships with trade schools and expanding on more trade schools and apprenticeships and tying future funding to actual readiness, credentials earned, skills mastered, and jobs secured and not just the number of . Every child in New York, whether they choose college or a trade, deserves a system that prepares them for the world, not just for a test.
“New York’s greatest resource is its children. When we restore trade and vocational education, we restore opportunity—and no child is left trapped in poverty. Our classrooms must stay focused on academics, skills, and economic mobility, with age‑appropriate curriculum, respect for parental rights, and privacy protections for all students.”
nyc_charter_school_center_23.pdf
Does New York Spend More Per Public School Student… | New York Focus
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