Education Department, State

Agency Web Site: http://www.nysed.gov/

Mission

The State Education Department (SED) is the administrative agency of the Board of Regents. The Department’s primary mission is to raise the knowledge, skill, and opportunity of all the people in New York.

Budget Highlights

The Executive Budget recommends $50.7 billion for the State Education Department. This is an increase of $706.8 million from the appropriation included in the 2011-12 Enacted Budget. This change primarily reflects an increase in appropriations necessary to support additional funding for School Aid and other education programs recommended in the Executive Budget.

The Executive Budget recommends a workforce of 2,765 FTEs for the State Education Department. This is an increase of 93 FTEs from the expected March 31, 2012 workforce level. The increase in staffing is primarily related to additional direct care positions for vocational rehabilitation services and for staff overseeing the licensing of professions that are regulated by the State Education Department. These positions are supported by Federal and other dedicated revenue funds.

Major budget actions include:

• School Aid Increase Targeted to High Need School Districts: Consistent with the two-year appropriation enacted in 2011-12, the 2012-13 Executive Budget recommends $20.3 billion in School Aid for the 2012-13 school year, a year-to-year increase of $805 million, or 4 percent. The increase includes $555 million in formula-based aid allocated to school districts and $250 million in performance grants. High need school districts will receive 76 percent of the allocated increase and 69 percent of total School Aid.
• Two-Year Appropriation for School Aid: The Executive Budget reaffirms the State’s commitment to increase funding for school districts in the future by including an appropriation that covers School Aid payable in the 2013-14 state fiscal year with an increase based on growth in New York State personal income.
• Performance Grants: To encourage school districts to implement innovative approaches to achieve academic gains and management efficiency, the Executive Budget includes $250 million for performance grants in the 2012-13 school year.
• School Tax Relief (STAR): The Executive Budget recommends $3.3 billion for the STAR program. This program provides tax relief for homeowners across the State.

For more information on this agency's budget recommendations located in the Executive Budget Briefing Book, click on the following link:

Briefing Book – Education and Arts (PDF)

Note: Most recent estimates as of 1/17/2012

Click for additional detailed appropriation tables