National Parents Union Releases “Critical Condition: State Of Education In New York” Report

Report Exposes Deepening Achievement Gaps and Urgent Need for Educational Reform in New York State

(New York)– Today, the National Parents Union (NPU) released its annual “Critical Condition: State of Education in New York” report, delivering a stark warning about the state of education in New York and calling for immediate and bold action to address widespread inequities. New York State Education Department assessments found that more than 70% of students in Albany, Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse are failing to read or do math at grade level. Making matters worse, an alarming one in five children across the state lives in poverty, a situation that drastically hinders academic success and future economic mobility.

This is a crisis that’s threatening the future of New York’s children and something has to be done.

The “Critical Condition” report outlines key areas of concern:

• Academic performance gaps: Profound disparities persist between racial and ethnic groups, economically disadvantaged students, English language learners, and students with disabilities.
• 80% of black and hispanic students in Albany, Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse are not proficient in reading or math,
• Lack of achievement in major districts:
  • In Buffalo, in grades 3-8, less than 16% of all students are proficient in math.
  • In Rochester, in grades 4-8, less than 7% of students are proficient in math.
  • In Syracuse, in grades 3-7, more than 80% of students are not making the grade in both math and reading.

“This report shows what parents and advocates across New York already know—our children are being left behind, and the state’s education system is in urgent need of reform,” said Ashara Baker. “We cannot afford to remain complacent. We must act now to provide students with the resources and support they need to succeed, and that requires transparency, accountability, and sustained commitment to evidence-based solutions.”

Despite the grim findings, the National Parents Union highlights hopeful pathways to progress, including community-led, evidence-based strategies to improve literacy and numeracy. The report’s key recommendations include:

1. Investment in high-impact tutoring and extended learning opportunities.
2. Timely transparency for parents about student achievement. Parents need to know if their child or school is failing behind.
3. Passage of  the Empire Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit.
4. Implementation of research-based teaching and targeted interventions
5. Expansion of access to high quality public school choice offerings:

The National Parents Union calls on New York lawmakers, educators, and community leaders to partner with families and advocates in tackling these issues head-on. “If we do not act with urgency and accountability, the future of New York looks grim for us all,” Baker warned.

NPU remains committed to working alongside families, allies, and elected officials across New York’s Big 5 school districts—Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, and New York City—to develop and implement meaningful solutions that will empower students and uplift families.

To Read the full Critical Condition: State of Education in New York” report click here.

About National Parents Union 

The National Parents Union (NPU) is a network of parent advocacy organizations that works to unite families in the fight for excellent, equitable education. NPU empowers parents to influence educational policies that affect their children and communities through research, advocacy, and coalition-building.