Governor Signs Paulin’s Landmark Medical Aid in Dying Act
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After a decade of tireless advocacy, Assemblywoman Amy Paulin (D-Westchester) today announced her legislation, the Medical Aid in Dying Act (A.136/S.138), will become law in New York State. The legislation, which she authored and has championed, will provide terminally ill New Yorkers with the compassionate option to end unbearable suffering peacefully.
“This is truly historic for New York,” said Assemblywoman Paulin. “The Medical Aid in Dying Act will give New Yorkers the autonomy and dignity they deserve at the most vulnerable moment in their lives, and I am profoundly grateful to the Governor for her leadership.”
The Medical Aid in Dying Act allows terminally ill adults to request a prescription for medication they can choose to self-ingest to die gently in their sleep. New York will join twelve other states and Washington, D.C., including nearby New Jersey, Vermont, and Maine, in offering this end-of-life option.
The Medical Aid in Dying Act includes rigorous safeguards to ensure that the law is used appropriately and responsibly. Only mentally capable adults who have a prognosis of six months or less to live are eligible to use it, as verified by two independent physicians. The patient must also have a mental health evaluation to determine that they have decision making capacity. Patients must make a verbal request for medical aid in dying, as well as submit a written request which is witnessed by two individuals, neither of whom can be a relative, heir, or affiliated with an owner, operator, or employee of the health care a facility where the patient is receiving care. The witnesses must also have no financial interest in the patient’s estate. Patients must also record an audio or video request. Patients must be capable of self-administering the medication, ensuring that the final act is a voluntary and deliberate choice. Additionally, physicians are required to inform patients of all available end-of-life care options, including hospice and palliative care. These safeguards, modeled after those in place for decades in other jurisdictions, have proven overwhelmingly effective.
“This issue has always been deeply personal for me,” said Paulin. “My sister died a horrific death from ovarian cancer, and in her final days she was in pain so overwhelming that she begged for death. Her experience is, tragically, the story of so many others. Most people will never choose medical aid in dying, but they want the reassurance of having it as a compassionate safeguard that offers comfort even if it is never used.”
State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, New York State Senate sponsor of Medical Aid in Dying Act, said, “Today, we make history. This agreement on Medical Aid in Dying is a monumental victory for every New Yorker who has wished to peacefully end their suffering from a terminal illness. Since we first introduced this legislation nine years ago, I have consistently said this bill is not about ending life, it's about shortening death. I’m proud that New York is now the 13th state, along with Washington, D.C., that will offer expanded end-of-life care so that terminally ill New Yorkers gain greater autonomy over how much pain and suffering they must endure. I want to thank Senate Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly sponsor Amy Paulin, and Governor Kathy Hochul for her leadership and willingness to take on a difficult issue and help limit the suffering of New Yorkers. Most of all, we owe a deep debt of gratitude to those afflicted with a terminal illness and their families, who shared the heart-wrenching details of their end-of-life decision making in the hopes of improving the options for future generations. New York is a state of dignity and compassion for New Yorkers at all stages of life, and today's announcement proves just that.”
“The Medical Aid in Dying Act will allow for compassion and centering dignity and autonomy in end-of-life care,” New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said. “I would like to thank Assemblymember Amy Paulin for her hard and tireless work championing this legislation in the Assembly and finally providing terminally ill New Yorkers the option to go peacefully and on their own terms, not in pain and anguish.”
David Leven, Executive Director Emeritus and Senior Consultant, End of Life Choices New York, said, "That Governor Hochul will sign the Medical Aid in Dying Act into law is a major victory that will provide for compassionate relief for suffering, terminally ill patients. Assemblymember Amy Paulin, the lead sponsor of the Assembly bill, is largely responsible for passage of the bill. Her incredible tireless, relentless and vigorous advocacy for the bill over a decade resulted in yearly increases in the number of sponsors of the bill. This had such a positive impact that ultimately the legislative leaders also became sponsors of the bill, for which they too deserve much credit. Governor Hochul is to be praised for her compassion in agreeing to sign the bill for which we are very grateful."
Corinne Carey, senior campaign director for Compassion & Choices NY/NJ, said, “This law is the culmination of more than a decade of determined advocacy by thousands of New Yorkers, many of whom courageously shared their final months to help others. We honor the advocates we lost along the way and the families who stood beside them, whose suffering might have been eased had this option existed sooner. As the Medical Aid in Dying Act becomes law, it affirms compassion, love, family, and respect for personal autonomy. I’m grateful Governor Hochul listened to the voices of those most directly affected, and our next responsibility is clear: to ensure every New Yorker, regardless of where they live or their resources, can understand, trust, and access this option if they choose.”
“Today marks a major milestone in the fight for Medical Aid in Dying in New York,” said Mandi Zucker, Executive Director of End of Life Choices New York. “Governor Kathy Hochul is now giving terminally ill New Yorkers the option to end their lives with peace, dignity, and grace. This achievement would not have been possible without the leadership of Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Assemblymember Amy Paulin, and the tireless efforts of our staff, board, volunteers, and advocates. While this is a moment to celebrate, the work continues. We must now ensure robust education and collaboration so this law is implemented effectively and equitably for all New Yorkers in the months and years ahead.”
“I want to thank the extraordinary advocates who have spent a decade working tirelessly by my side to make this day possible,” Paulin added. “Their perseverance never wavered. I am also deeply grateful to my Senate co-sponsor, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, for his partnership throughout this long journey. With this law, New York will become the twelfth state, plus Washington DC, to embrace compassion at the end of life. This milestone will bring comfort to so many across our state.”
State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D-Manhattan), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, sponsored the companion bill in the Senate.
"A Scarsdale Story" Debuts in the New SHS Auditorium
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The Scarsdale community really knows how to “show up.” Around 200 alumni, neighbors and friends came together for a rare opportunity to celebrate our public school district on Wednesday night December 3, 2025 at the new high school auditorium. As conveyed in the new film From the First Schoolhouse: A Scarsdale Story, this community-minded spirit is what has helped the Scarsdale Schools thrive.
“From the First Schoolhouse: A Scarsdale Story” brings to life the people, places, and moments that built the foundation of Scarsdale’s schools. From little-known facts about the buildings themselves to pioneering educational strategies and milestones that captured national attention, the film traces a more than a century of innovation and vision. It highlights Scarsdale’s long tradition of educational progressivism, from early experiments like The Scarsdale Plan to programs such as the Scarsdale Alternative School (A-School). Along the way, the district faced historical challenges—wartime pressures, overcrowding, censorship, and the Red Scare—that continue to resonate today. Together, these themes show how civic dedication, forward-thinking leadership, and a willingness to confront conflict shaped the district’s identity.
Rare photographs, archival footage, and personal anecdotes bring the evolution of the schools to life. Narrating on location from schools across Scarsdale, trustees Lori Rothman, Jordan Copeland, and Leslie Chang weave together stories that have been hidden for decades. There are firsthand accounts from legendary former educators like Ruth Friendly and Tony Aranella (a founder of the A-School), and insights from one of the first graduates of the A-School, WiIlliam Klayman ‘73. Together, they offer a vivid portrait of a community shaped by vision, ambition, conflict, triumph, and change that continues to unfold.
The film includes many rare photos, like this football team photo from the 1923 Scarsdale High School yearbook.
Jordan Copeland explains about Quaker Ridge School’s origins at a very unexpected location.
A journalist and trustee of the Scarsdale Historical Society, Lori Rothman makes her first appearance in one of the organization’s films.
Don’t miss their new exhibit on the Scarsdale Public Schools, created by the library’s Local History Librarian Dan Glauber. It’s on display in the Local History Center of the library, or online here.
The film is posted online on the Scarsdale Historical Society website and is free to view. Watch the movie here:
Support SHS Students Through the PTA Scholarship Fund
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SHS PTA Scholarship Fund for College
The Scarsdale High School PTA Scholarship Fund for College helps to defray freshman-year tuition costs for students in need of financial assistance by providing grants to graduating Scarsdale seniors for their freshman year of college.
Every Scarsdale household recently received an appeal to support the Scarsdale High School PTA Scholarship Fund for College. While our community is generally one of means, there are families here affected by hardship, such as illness, divorce, and business collapse, which can have devastating effects on a family’s ability to pay for college education. We expect student needs to be significant again this year.
The Fund is administered under strict rules of confidence, and all money raised directly benefits qualified students. Scholarship funding comes solely from donations by Scarsdale residents, businesses, PTC, PTA’s and other local organizations.
You can learn more about and donate to the SHS PTA Scholarship Fund for College by visiting https://shs.scarsdaleschools.org/scholarship. Donations, which are tax-deductible, may also be mailed to Scarsdale High School PTA Scholarship Fund for College, 1057 Post Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583. Please contact Lauren Grossberg at shsptascholarshipfund@gmail.com with any questions.
Thank you in advance for your support!
Postponed: 5K Run to Support Meals on Wheels
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The Frosty 5K run originally scheduled for this Sunday, 12/14 has been posted. We have been obsessively tracking the forecast and the conditions, particularly during race time, look unsafe and pretty miserable. We are looking for a new date in April or May (4/19, 4/26 or 5/3)
Ethan Grossberg, Scarsdale High School junior, and Becca Friedland, SHS sophomore, were inspired by the work their moms were doing to reinvigorate Meals on Wheels Scarsdale, so they decided to form the first ever Meals on Wheels Scarsdale Junior Board. The board began its work in early 2025 with the goal of enhancing the meal delivery experience for all meal recipients. Between birthday bags and Thanksgiving baskets, they continue to brainstorm and execute ways to bring a smile to the faces of the MOW recipients.
In order to bring their ideas to life, the junior board, which also includes Ayla Kantor, Lila Rosen, Hunter Ross and Ryan Sussberg knew they would need to do some fundraising. Becca and Ethan came up with the idea to organize a 5K race in Scarsdale to help raise money to cover the costs of the junior board initiatives, as well as have additional dollars to keep Meals on Wheels running effectively. The first ever Meals on Wheels Frosty 5K is scheduled for December 14th at 10:00 am at Scarsdale High School. We hope Scarsdale residents will register to come support this special, and very necessary, organization. People can run, walk, come alone, bring a friend, come as a family...however they want, we just hope to see them there! See the link and flyer for registration information.
Scarsdale Students Post Strong Results as District Expands Performance-Based Assessments
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Scarsdale students continue to demonstrate high academic achievement across standardized measures, according to an annual assessment report presented to the Board of Education on Monday November 18th. In his three-part report, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Dr. Edgar MacIntosh also outlined findings from a recent Tri-State Consortium review that praised the district’s instructional practices and recommended further expansion of performance-based assessments.
College Readiness Indicators Remain Strong
Dr. MacIntosh reported near-universal college enrollment among Scarsdale High School graduates, consistent with previous years. For tracking admissions trends, the district now uses the U.S. News & World Report lists of top universities and liberal arts colleges after the Barron’s “Most Competitive Colleges” index ceased regular publication. A slide shared during the presentation showed that in 2025, 69% of Scarsdale graduates went on to attend one of U.S News designated top 50 colleges or universities. MacIntosh includes a complete list of these colleges in his presentation’s supporting documents.
Also consistent with previous years, Scarsdale students recorded high mean scores on both the SAT and ACT. Furthermore, these results showed that an overwhelming percentage of students meet College Readiness Benchmarks, indicating readiness for first-year college coursework. Comparisons with other high-performing local districts show Scarsdale students maintaining a leading position.
MacIntosh went on to describe that AP exam participation by Scarsdale students continues to rise, including among younger students. Administrators have suggested that some families may believe AP testing strengthens college applications, though college admissions officers have not indicated that AP scores provide an advantage. Board members asked for additional data on test-taking patterns and potential implications for college credit or placement.
State Testing Results Show Consistent Performance
Scarsdale elementary and middle school students continued to outperform statewide, regional, and other high performing-peer districts averages on New York State assessments in English language arts, mathematics, and science. MacIntosh cautioned that year-to-year variation between Scarsdale’s elementary schools is typical and influenced by cohort size and student needs. He also noted that a statewide increase in ELA scores this year was attributed to changes in the exam, not to the shift toward computer-based testing.
Regents exam results at the high school level also reflected incredibly strong proficiency across core subjects.
You can see all the data presented in the slideshow here.
While the district acknowledged the role of standardized exams in providing broad measures of student achievement, MacIntosh made sure to emphasize that these assessments offer only a “small portion” of the district’s overall approach to evaluating student learning. He added that internal benchmark assessments, progress monitoring, formative tools, and performance-based tasks offer a more detailed and actionable picture.
Tri-State Review Affirms District Practices
The Tri-State Consortium, a collaborative of high-performing districts, conducted an in-depth review of Scarsdale’s assessment system. After observing classrooms, interviewing stakeholders, and reviewing more than 300 teacher-created assessments, the team concluded that Scarsdale’s instructional practices align with the district’s strategic priorities.
Commendations included strong student engagement, widespread use of inquiry-based instruction, and extensive opportunities for student choice and authentic learning. Programs such as the Middle School Choice Program, STEAM pathways, and elementary science performance units were cited as aligned with district goals.
The consortium recommended that the district adopt a clear, shared definition of performance assessments; expand professional development on assessment design; address student stress related to grading and workload; and communicate more frequently with families about assessment practices.
Shift Toward Performance Tasks Gains Momentum
In his report, MacIntosh highlighted the growing use of performance-based assessments, which allow students to demonstrate understanding through open-ended, real-world tasks. A video shown during the meeting featured students and teachers describing project-based math problems, engineering design challenges, and interdisciplinary tasks that require collaboration, reasoning, and reflection.
Board members praised the student perspectives and asked how assessment practices intersect with the district’s ongoing facilities planning. MacIntosh related that flexible classroom spaces are increasingly important to support collaborative learning.
Next Steps
The district plans to incorporate the Tri-State recommendations into ongoing work around curriculum, assessment, and teacher professional learning. MacIntosh stated that the district’s goal is to maintain strong performance on standardized measures while expanding assessment practices that more accurately capture student thinking and real-world problem-solving. “Standardized tests give us one snapshot,” he said. “Our performance tasks show much more about how students learn.”
