Governor Kathy Hochul recently welcomed National Governors Association (NGA) Chair Colorado Governor Jared Polis to New York City for a bipartisan event supporting his NGA Chair’s Initiative, Let’s Get Ready: Educating All Americans for Success. The event also featured Education Secretary Linda McMahon and various education experts, including American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten and Geoffrey Canada, President and co-founder of the Harlem Children’s Zone. Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, and Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee attended in person, while NGA Vice Chair Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and Delaware Governor Matt Meyer joined virtually.
The event in New York City focused on discussions around innovative education and workforce development programs. Earlier in the day, Governors took part in a visit to The Magnet School of Inquiry and Expression (P.S. 189M), where they discussed the impact of Governor Hochul’s Back to Basics reading plan.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis emphasized the importance of the initiative. “This is a pivotal moment for education,” he said. “Through Let’s Get Ready!, Governors are showcasing successful education models. These schools are raising test scores and offering pathways to success for students from all backgrounds. By adapting these models, we can strengthen the education system to benefit both students and the economy.”
Governor Hochul also spoke about the importance of education. “Governors across the nation are working together to protect education and support the next generation of leaders,” she said. “From strengthening reading fundamentals to supporting our educators, New York is committed to ensuring every student has access to a high-quality education.”
The event included several key participants, such as:
- Linda McMahon, Secretary of Education
- Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers
- Geoffrey Canada, President and co-founder, Harlem Children’s Zone
- Eva Moskowitz, CEO, Success Academy Charter Schools
- Noa Meyer, Board Chair, rootEd Alliance
- Dr. Tequilla Brownie, CEO, TNTP
- Dr. Stephen Moret, President and CEO, Strada Education Foundation
- Shalinee Sharma, CEO and co-founder, Zearn
- Scott Pulsipher, President, Western Governors University
- Education officials and senior advisers from several states including Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington.
Let’s Get Ready, launched in July, is a yearlong initiative aimed at supporting Governors in driving innovative education policies. The initiative seeks to better evaluate the outcomes of state investments in education and improve results for learners at all stages. It also focuses on preparing students to meet the future needs of the workforce.
