Capital Region BOCES is among the 37 BOCES statewide that were recently recognized with a state Senate resolution and Executive Chamber citation marking the 75th anniversary of the BOCES system.
“New York State greatly benefits from and owes much of its success to its many prominent educational institutions, and as such, welcomes the opportunity to acknowledge the Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) as they celebrate their 75th anniversary,” the governor’s citation reads in part.
The BOCES system has its origins in Section 1950 of state Education Law, which authorized the creation of boards of cooperative educational services. What began with just a few local supply teacher programs has grown into a statewide network serving nearly all of the state’s more than 700 school districts.
Together, the 37 BOCES educate tens of thousands of students each year, including nearly 42,000 career and technical education students, more than 16,000 special education students, and more than 16,000 adult learners.
“Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, BOCES may look back with pride upon its humble beginnings, find just satisfaction in its purposeful growth, and hold true of purpose in its commitment to serving the educational needs of the citizens of the State of New York,” the Senate resolution reads in part.