An audit released by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli finds that the State Education Department (NYSED) is not fully utilizing state funding meant to help address the state's teacher shortages. DiNapoli says auditors found that NYSED did not award about $36 million in funding for four major grant programs means to address that shortage from July 2019 to August 2025. Of the $191 million allocated, only $155 million was awarded to grantees, and approximately $118.9 million was actually spent. According to the audit, one major factor behind the underspending appears to be a lack of awareness among school district. Auditors surveyed 692 school districts outside of New York City, and 86% of the 244 respondents said they had not participated in the grant programs reviewed. Among the 210 non-participating districts, 190 said they were unaware of the grant programs, and 164 said they wanted more information. The audit also found that NYSED needed stronger oversight to ensure its grant programs are achieving their intended results. New York is expected to need 180,000 new teachers in the next decade, with shortages already affecting school districts across the state.
