E2CCB Showcases Science of Reading Success at BOCES Expo
ALBANY — On Monday, April 20, 2026, the Well of the Legislative Office Building transformed into a bustling hub of educational innovation as 37 BOCES from across New York State were invited to gather for the annual BOCES Expo. The event, which serves as a critical bridge between regional educational programs and state leadership, kicked off with a brief formal program designed to highlight the unique collaboration between the state and its cooperative boards.
David O’Rourke, serving in his dual capacity as the Chair of BOCES of NYS and the District Superintendent of Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES (E2CCB), opened the ceremony by welcoming Commissioner Betty Rosa to the podium.
During his introductory remarks, O’Rourke emphasized that the relationship between the 37 BOCES and the New York State Education Department has been “mutually beneficial” in serving the diverse voices of students throughout the state.
Following O’Rourke’s introduction, Commissioner Rosa expressed her profound pride in the leadership of the state’s District Superintendents and their staff, noting that their work makes a tangible difference in the lives of young people by preparing them for both college and the workforce. She remarked that the students present were a living embodiment of the “portrait of the graduate,” demonstrating critical thinking, problem-solving, and the courage to learn from failure.
At the heart of the E2CCB display was its Science of Reading (SoR) initiative, a program powered by the RECOVS Learning Loss grant. A small, specialized team of four instructional coaches, overseen by E2CCB’s professional learning leadership, showcased their strategic roadmap for bridging the gap between literacy theory and classroom practice across 27 school districts. The team’s work centers on the “Big 6” Science of Reading skills — phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and oral language — to ensure students become confident and lifelong readers.
The data presented by the E2CCB team told a story of significant regional progress. According to their impact panels, the initiative has achieved 73.6% teacher engagement, with 2,763 educators receiving professional development through the E2CCB Reading Center. This widespread training has led to measurable success, as 20 of the 22 participating districts met or exceeded their growth goals for reading proficiency, with 11 districts already surpassing five-year literacy targets.
Legislative leaders also voiced strong support for the diverse pathways BOCES provides. Senator Shelley Mayer, the Senate Education Chair and event sponsor, encouraged her colleagues to look closely at the BOCES model, stating, “I’ve been to enough BOCES classes to know, but every time I get educated by what I see.” She highlighted the importance of programs that offer “skills for their job, and a good paying job,” noting that other states often seek to emulate New York’s successful model.
The value of hands-on learning was a recurring theme throughout the day. Assemblyman Christopher Eachus, a former high school teacher of 40 years, gave a passionate endorsement of the students’ work, telling them, “every one of my students don’t remember a single thing I taught in the classroom, but they remember anything that they put their hands on”. He reaffirmed his maximum support for the programs, telling the gathered scholars that the state needs their crafts and the skills they are building today.
As the Expo concluded, the impact of E2CCB’s work remained clear. By training a dedicated network of 58 district liaisons, the Science of Reading team is not only addressing immediate learning loss but is also building a sustainable infrastructure for literacy excellence throughout Western New York.
