Education

died · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 2452: Relates to screening for gifted and talented students

Requires school districts to screen for gifted and talented students; provides the parents or guardians of such students the option to opt out of such screening.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates screening for gifted students to enable targeted educational programs, enhancing student opportunities per support indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 519: Establishes the underrepresented teachers of tomorrow teacher recruitment and retention program

Establishes the underrepresented teachers of tomorrow teacher recruitment and retention program to attract and retain underrepresented certified teachers in schools which have an underrepresentation of underrepresented certified teachers; provides for grants and procedures for applying for such grants and eligibility requirements for fund distribution.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates grant program to fund recruitment/retention of underrepresented teachers, advancing equity in education staffing and addressing school underrepresentation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 7367: Grants volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians academic credit at SUNY and CUNY

Grants volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians academic credit at state operated institutions of the state university of New York and the senior colleges of the city university of New York to the extent of three academic credits per year, and 6 credits in the aggregate; provides that no fee, tuition or other charge shall be assessed against a volunteer firefighter or emergency medical technician who qualifies for such credit; directs the board of trustees of the state university and the city university of New York to adopt necessary procedures.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill grants free academic credit to volunteer firefighters/EMTs at SUNY/CUNY, expanding educational access without cost. Directly supports higher education access for a specific group.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed both · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 1986: Extends the time period for recovery of energy performance contract costs incurred by school districts

Extends the time period from eighteen years to twenty-five years that a school shall be guaranteed recovery of energy performance contract costs from energy savings incurred by school districts over that time period.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExtends energy cost recovery period for school infrastructure, reducing operational burdens and enabling long-term savings for school districts.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExtends recovery period for school energy efficiency contracts, enabling longer-term cost recovery and encouraging investment in energy-saving measures.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 3334: Requires the commissioner of education to establish Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander history and civic impact curriculum or instructions for school districts

Requires the commissioner to establish Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander history and civic impact curriculum or instructions for school districts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates inclusion of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander history in school curricula, enhancing educational content and diversity.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 2046: Establishes the mental health educational opportunity program and the mental health higher educational opportunity program

Establishes the mental health educational opportunity program and the mental health higher educational opportunity program to provide additional educational opportunities for students at certain universities and colleges in the state to enroll in academic programs that lead to a degree or degrees required for licensure in any of the mental health professions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates mental health degree programs at universities to expand educational access and workforce preparation in higher education, directly advancing educational opportunity.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes mental health education programs to train professionals, directly supporting workforce development for mental health services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 1072: Directs the commissioner of education to require public schools to report on compliance with art education instruction requirements

This bill directs the state education commissioner to require public school districts to report on their compliance with existing art education instruction requirements for elementary and secondary grades. Districts must detail which schools lack art education, reasons for non-compliance, student participation, and if they employ certified art teachers or provide sufficient class time. Superintendents of non-compliant districts must develop and implement corrective action plans, and districts failing to report will be listed publicly. The commissioner will also provide an annual report to the governor and legislative leaders analyzing the data and suggesting steps to ensure compliance across all public schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates compliance reporting and corrective plans for art education, enforcing existing curriculum requirements to strengthen K-12 arts access and teacher standards.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · New York · Senate May 29, 2026

S 4903: Directs the creation of a document giving certain notice to parents and guardians of school age students who are diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition or a certain medical condition

Enacts the "Shepherd Patterson notification act"; requires a physician who treats a minor patient with a medical condition that may cause a disability to provide certain educational information to such patient's parents or guardians indicating such minor is entitled to a free and appropriate public education as defined under section five hundred four of the federal rehabilitation act of nineteen hundred seventy-three; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires physicians to inform parents of students' rights to free appropriate public education under federal law, protecting educational access for students with medical conditions.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · New York · Senate May 29, 2026

S 8151: Authorizes the commissioner of taxation and finance to establish segment special equalization rates for certain school districts

Authorizes the commissioner of taxation and finance to establish segment special equalization rates starting in fiscal year 2026 for the Amityville Union Free School District and Farmingdale Union Free School District for the segments of the districts in the towns of Babylon and Oyster Bay.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAuthorizes equalization rates to ensure equitable school district funding allocation, strengthening resource distribution for K-12 schools in specified districts.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · New York · Senate May 28, 2026

S 5067: Directs the commissioner of education to change the name of the state high school equivalency diploma to the Excelsior diploma

This bill renames New York State's high school equivalency diploma from "General Education Development (GED)" or "high school equivalency diploma" to the "Excelsior diploma" across all state and city laws. It removes fees for the exam and updates references in education, correction, and city administrative codes to reflect the new name. The change directly affects individuals seeking high school equivalency credentials, including those in correctional facilities pursuing vocational training or work release programs. Key provisions include replacing all prior terminology in statutes and ensuring the Excelsior diploma is recognized as the sole pathway to this credential.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves exam fees for high school equivalency diploma, expanding access to educational credentialing without cost barriers.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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