NY State Climate Education Requirements

On March 10th, the NY Board of Regents adopted new requirements for schools statewide to provide Climate Education to all students K-12. 

The new regulations will be phased in, with Middle Grade Band (Grades 5–8) and High School Grade Band (Grades 9–12): beginning with the 2027–2028 School Year, and Elementary Grade Band (Grades K–4): Implementation beginning with the 2028–2029 School Year.

You can read the official announcement on the new requirements here: https://www.regents.nysed.gov/sites/regents/files/326brca5revised.pdf

At NY Sun Works, we have partnered with NYC Schools for over a decade to provide hands-on, standards-aligned climate science education in K-12 classrooms. We have seen the transformative effects as students become empowered stewards of the environment in their own communities. We are fully prepared to help implement these new standards, with proven curriculum, teacher training and hands-on hydroponic systems, across the grade levels. 

NY Sun Works’ Hydroponic Classroom Program is fully aligned with the new New York State Portrait of a Graduate. Our program offers hands-on investigations that cultivate the essential skills New York State is prioritizing for high school success, including critical thinking and problem solving, through a curriculum that sparks curiosity and encourages flexibility. Our program not only prepares students to meet new mandates for climate literacy and builds academic preparedness, but also empowers them to connect their learning to future careers, trade pathways, and civic engagement.

In New Jersey, our Hydroponic Classrooms and curriculum directly align with the State’s climate change education requirements, which call for integrating climate-related topics across all subject areas – not just science. Our curriculum connects sustainability and food systems to social studies, math, and art while addressing NJ-specific environmental issues, such as agricultural yield, water supply, and coastal flooding.

Each NY Sun Works Hydroponic Classroom includes:

• Commercial-grade hydroponic systems designed to fit your instructional space
• A comprehensive K–12 science curriculum aligned to NGSS standards and Amplify + personalized curriculum training sessions
• In-person technical training for your teachers and regular lab maintenance support
• Guidance with funding opportunities and grant applications

To learn more about: 1) how we can help your school meet the new requirements, 2) the best funding approaches to facilitate your partnership with NY Sun Works, please register for an upcoming information session here:

Q&A On New Climate Education Requirements:

WHAT EXACTLY IS MEANT BY CLIMATE EDUCATION?

Climate Education is instruction that will help students understand:

•  The causes of climate change,
•  its impacts on natural and human systems,
•  and the solutions and actions that individuals and communities can take to address it.

WHAT ARE THE NEW REQUIREMENTS?

The amendment allows for individual schools to develop and implement their own curricula to achieve the required learning outcomes.

Implementation can be achieved through

• Embedded instruction (in existing classes) mirroring the NYSW approach whereby our curricula is integrated into standard science lessons. 
• As a stand-alone course 

WHEN DO THESE NEW REQUIREMENTS BEGIN?

For middle schools AND high schools, implementation begins with the 2027–2028 school year.

For elementary schools, implementation begins with the 2028–2029 school year.

HOW WILL I PROVE THAT MY SCHOOL IS IMPLEMENTING THE NEW SCHOOL REQUIREMENTS?

This responsibility falls to the school Superintendent.

Each school district will be required to submit verification to the Commissioner of Education that it has implemented instruction in climate education within the grade bands prescribed in the regulations.