New York State Governor Kathy Hochul joined WNYC's All Things Considered to discuss the upcoming school year, COVID-19, and other issues affecting New Yorkers.
**Sean Carlson, WNYC:** Governor Hochul, thank you for joining us. It's a busy time of year for parents and students gearing up for the new school year.
**Governor Kathy Hochul:** It is, and I'm so excited to have our kids back in school full-time, five days a week, in person.
Governor Hochul Discusses Education and COVID-19 on WNYC's All Things Considered
**Carlson:** One of the big concerns for parents this year is COVID-19. What are you doing to keep students and staff safe?
**Hochul:** We have a number of measures in place to keep our schools safe, including mandatory masking for all students and staff, increased ventilation, and regular testing. We're also working with local school districts to develop their own safety plans.
**Carlson:** What about vaccinations? Are you requiring students to get vaccinated?
**Hochul:** We are not requiring students to get vaccinated, but we strongly encourage it. We know that vaccines are the best way to protect people from COVID-19, and we want our schools to be as safe as possible.
**Carlson:** Another big issue facing schools is the teacher shortage. What are you doing to address that?
**Hochul:** We are working on a number of initiatives to address the teacher shortage, including increasing funding for teacher preparation programs, providing incentives for teachers to work in high-need schools, and streamlining the teacher certification process.
**Carlson:** What are your priorities for education in New York State?
**Hochul:** My top priorities are to ensure that every child has access to a high-quality education, regardless of their zip code. I want to make sure that our schools are safe, supportive, and welcoming for all students.
**Carlson:** What can parents do to help their children succeed in school?
**Hochul:** There are a number of things that parents can do to help their children succeed in school, including:
* **Read to your children every day.** Reading is one of the most important things that parents can do to help their children develop a love of learning.
* **Talk to your children about school.** Ask them about their classes, their teachers, and their friends.
* **Help your children with their homework.** This shows them that you are invested in their education.
* **Set high expectations for your children.** Let them know that you believe in them and that you expect them to do their best.
