Education on the Down: State of Education in Central New York

Traditional Education Faces Modern Challenges

For centuries, education in the United States has followed a similar structure, despite major technological advancements changing nearly every other part of society. From the rise of smartphones and artificial intelligence to shifts in the workforce, many educators now believe the traditional model of education is struggling to keep up with modern students’ needs.

“I think we are awakening to the fact that that model that we got tethered to back in the industrial age is no longer meeting the needs of today’s student,” said Dr. Donna DeSiato, superintendent of the East Syracuse Minoa Central School District and president of the Superintendents Association.

According to education leaders, the lack of change within the education system may also be contributing to declining enrollment at colleges across New York State.

Enrollment Declines Across SUNY Schools

At SUNY Oswego, enrollment numbers have steadily declined over the past decade. In the fall of 2015, the college enrolled nearly 9,000 students. By 2024, enrollment had dropped to around 6,000 students. While enrollment slightly increased this past year to approximately 6,500 students, the numbers remain significantly lower than previous highs.

The trend is not unique to Oswego. According to the New York State Education Department, SUNY Fredonia has also experienced a major decline in enrollment, dropping from nearly 5,000 students in 2015 to just over 3,000 students in 2025.

Across New York State, many colleges are facing similar struggles as fewer students enroll in traditional four-year degree programs. Rising tuition costs, changing workforce demands, and growing interest in trade programs and career-focused education have all contributed to the shift.

Part of this issue as Dr. DeSiato said was not just in students choices but in overall student numbers “One of the factors that colleges really don’t have any control over is that the birth rate is really declined so there are fewer students right now in the highschools in our state than there were ten years ago…From 200 to 400 to 500 to 1,000 or more students decline in a population.” 

Career-Focused Education Growing in Popularity

As schools look for ways to adapt to making changes involving student needs, many educators are placing greater emphasis on career-focused learning opportunities and alternative educational pathways.

“That ‘what do I do with what I know’ has become also a part of opportunities for students to be getting micro credentials in certain areas, and certain fields or going on to perhaps early college high school getting a two year degree or a P-TECH,” DeSiato said.

Programs such as micro-credentials, early college opportunities, and P-TECH programs are designed to better prepare students for today’s workforce while giving them more flexibility in how they pursue higher education.

“The New CTE building is a fantastic complement to traditional college pathways rather than a competitor,” said Carly Calogero the work based learning coordinator for the . “It expands opportunities for students by providing hands-on, career-focused experiences that enhance what they may later pursue in college.”

Career and Technical Education programs, commonly known as CTE, have become increasingly popular as students seek more direct connections between education and future careers.

“By building practical skills, industry awareness and confidence, CTE helps students make more informed decisions about their futures whether that includes higher education, entering the workforce, or both,” Calogero said. “It really strengthens the overall educational experience and sets students up for success in multiple directions.”

The Future of Higher Education

While enrollment numbers showed slight improvement this past year, many educators believe the future of higher education may depend on how willing schools are to modernize and adapt to the changing needs of students in an increasingly technology-driven world.

Schools across Central New York are now balancing traditional academic pathways with more flexible and career-oriented opportunities, hoping to better prepare students for a rapidly changing workforce while also reversing enrollment declines.