The Path Forward New York
Leading the Change in Evidence-Based Literacy
The NY State Path Forward Initiative seeks to transform the way educators are prepared to teach literacy, with a particular focus on Educator Preparation Programs (EPP) in the following five licensure areas: early childhood education, childhood education, teaching English to speakers of other languages, literacy, and students with disabilities.
Our work focuses on systemic shifts in practice by more consistently integrating the science of reading (SoR) into teacher preparation curricula, clinical practice and statewide certification requirements. By empowering educators with evidence-based strategies, we help ensure that every student in New York State receives the high-quality literacy instruction they deserve to succeed.
About The Path Forward
In 2020, The Hunt Institute partnered with The Barksdale Reading Institute and The Belk Foundation to improve early reading outcomes across the nation. The initiative, The Path Forward for Teacher Preparation and Licensure in Early Literacy, empowers states to embed the science of reading in teacher preparation, teacher licensure, and EPP approval.
The Path Forward set out to change the current state of reading by working with states to achieve four goals: 1. Transform the curriculum and delivery of early literacy instruction by embedding the science of reading into teacher preparation; 2. Increase educator preparation program (EPP) accountability for early literacy outcomes through changes in state regulations and/or legislative policies; 3. Knit together a coalition of states to bring national attention to solutions that improve literacy instruction; and 4. Encourage the involvement of philanthropy as a neutral broker to affect change at the state level.
The Path Forward participating states, from The Hunt Institute
About Literacy Academy Collective
At Literacy Academy Collective (LAC), we believe access to literacy is the most urgent civil rights issue in New York City. Our mission is to build and support a network of NYC public schools that enable struggling readers to experience academic success through culturally responsive structured literacy, reaching students at the intersection of race, poverty and disability.
Opened in 2023, South Bronx Literacy Academy (SBLA), is the first district public school in the country specifically designed to support students with dyslexia. Central Brooklyn Literacy Academy (CBLA), the second school in our network, opened in September and a Queens school is on the way. In Fall 2023, with support from the New York State Department of Education (NYSED), the Hunt Institute tapped LAC to convene and facilitate the NYS Path Forward team.
Literacy Advocacy In New York
OUR MISSION
In the fall of 2023, with the support of Education Commissioner Betty Rosa and Board of Regents Chancellor Lester Young, LAC launched The Path Forward in New York State, a statewide policy initiative with the aim of creating and implementing a NY State Action Plan that, when put into motion, would fundamentally shift the way we prepare educators to teach literacy.
The NYS Path Forward Leadership and Steering Committees have a simple but ambitious goal: to significantly increase the number of teacher candidates across New York who are prepared to effectively teach students how to read on the day they step foot in the classroom.
Beginning with the creation of the New York State Action Plan in 2023, we have partnered with policymakers, institutions of higher education, and educational leaders from across the state to integrate the science of reading into the fabric of teacher preparation.
We collaborate with a network of educational institutions, state agencies, and community advocations, and foundations committed to literacy equity. Together, we provide the resources and policy guidance necessary to support educators statewide.
Pilot Programs
Our current pilot campuses serve over 3000 teacher candidates in Path Forward certification areas.
Additional pilots will be added during the 2026-27 school year. P-20 Partnership Pilots will launch in January 2027 with the Rochester and Yonkers public school districts. More information to come soon!
SUNY Buffalo State University
SUNY Plattsburgh
SUNY Oswego
York College, CUNY
Queens College, CUNY
Hunter College, CUNY
LaGuardia Community College, CUNY
Queensborough Community College, CUNY
St. Francis College, CICU
Niagara University, CICU
Touro University, CICU