The free early childhood education program is debuting in select neighborhoods this school year, with plans for future citywide expansion. About 2,000 children are expected to enroll in the program's first year. Gov. Kathy Hochul committed $1.2 billion over two years to help launch the initiative, while universal child care has been a key priority for Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
At the same time, city leaders are rolling out new technology restrictions across public schools. Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced last week that students in 2-K through eighth grade will be prohibited from using artificial intelligence tools during the school year under a one-year moratorium. Officials say the pause is intended to give educators and policymakers time to develop guidelines for how AI should and should not be used in classrooms.
Watch the Eyewitness News Back to School Town Hall
Back to School Town Hall with NYC Schools Chancellor Kamar H. Samuels
Screen time is also being reduced. Students in third through fifth grades will be limited to 30 minutes of daily screen use, while middle school students will be capped at 45 minutes. Children in second grade and younger will not receive individual screen time.
During Eyewitness News' Back-to-School Town Hall, Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels said the city is working to understand both the benefits and drawbacks of artificial intelligence in education.
City officials, including the mayor, governor and schools chancellor, are expected to discuss the launch of the 2-K program at an event Thursday morning. The administration says the goal is to balance the benefits of modern technology with the fundamentals of traditional learning.
ALSO WATCH | Technology top of mind as NYC students head back to school Thursday
Technology top of mind as NYC students head back to school Thursday
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