Definitely seems like they don’t understand the ED process. In the big picture well less than 10% of colleges even offer ED, around 180 or so of 3,000 four year colleges.
Many NY schools that offer ED do meet full need. So, if a family can afford their EFC/the NPC looks affordable, that family should be encouraged to apply ED. Many low income students are already applying through the ED round via Posse, Questbridge, and other college access organizations.
Certainly better communication around the specifics of ED (and other rounds) is needed, to increase awareness of the benefits, and in what cases in makes sense to apply ED. Families have to be aware of the fact that NPCs exist, and should know that an ED acceptance is not binding if the financial aid package is inadequate. Much of that is clear on each school’s financial aid website.
Part of the issue is the fact that HS based college counseling varies greatly. Some schools have dedicated college counselors, while at others, social emotional counselors also have responsibility for college counseling (news flash, that tends to not work that well). Some schools have low student to counselor ratios, others have high S:GC ratios, where some students struggle to meet with a GC. Perhaps NY State would be better off to invest more $ in school based college counseling?