This bill creates a program allowing veterans who served honorably in the U.S. military but couldn't complete high school to earn a diploma based on their service experience. It removes outdated requirements (like limiting eligibility to World War II veterans) and directs the education commissioner to develop the program. The law takes effect immediately, enabling eligible veterans to receive diplomas without needing to complete traditional coursework. This directly affects veterans who left school early for military service, offering a formal recognition of their skills gained during service.
Provides that in a city with a population of one million or more, where a student is applying to attend a public elementary or middle school and such student has a sibling who already attends such school, such student whose application is pending shall be given preference for admission.
This bill requires all schools to inspect hearing testing equipment annually to ensure it meets manufacturer and government safety standards. It directly affects public and private K-12 schools that conduct hearing examinations. Schools must replace any equipment failing these standards, with inspections performed per manufacturer guidelines. The requirement applies to all devices used for hearing tests under existing education law. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.
Requires school districts to conduct mandatory early screening for dyslexia for all children commencing in pre-kindergarten or kindergarten and continuing thereafter on an annual basis until each child successfully completes second grade; requires school districts to designate an individual to maintain complete and accurate records containing early screening reports for each child, and to provide resources and materials to the parent and/or guardian of any child who displays indications of dyslexia.
This bill allows students in New York State schools to earn physical education credits by completing state-approved lifeguard certification training courses. It requires the Board of Regents to create rules enabling these courses to count toward the mandatory physical education requirements. The policy directly affects high school students who complete approved lifeguard training programs, potentially reducing the need for separate physical education classes. The change applies only to courses meeting state standards for lifeguard certification, not general physical education instruction.
This bill requires all public school districts to implement mandatory dyslexia screening for students starting in kindergarten, with annual screenings until the end of second grade. The screening must be evidence-based, low-cost, and efficient. Schools must provide small-group, multi-sensory phonics instruction as intervention services for students identified with dyslexia or related learning differences. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.
This bill requires public school students to memorize multiplication tables as part of the standard basic education curriculum. It mandates that schools include this requirement in their course of study to demonstrate student competency in efficient multiplication. The law would apply immediately to the next school year following its enactment, directly affecting K-12 students in public schools within the jurisdiction of this legislation. The provision replaces existing methods with a specific skill demonstration requirement for foundational math proficiency.
This bill (S 527) changes rules for charter schools in New York by restricting how they can expand grade levels. Starting June 1, 2025, charter schools cannot apply to revise their charters to serve grades across multiple school classifications (like elementary, middle, or high school) simultaneously. The rule applies to all new charter revisions submitted after that date. It directly affects charter schools seeking to expand their grade offerings, requiring them to stay within a single classification (e.g., only elementary or only high school). The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.
This bill requires all public school districts in the state to ensure physical education is taught by a licensed instructor. Districts with 20 or more teachers must employ a dedicated licensed PE teacher in every school, while smaller districts must arrange for PE instruction to be provided by existing licensed staff or a qualified PE teacher. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment, mandating this change across all public schools without exception. It directly affects every public school district and their staffing requirements for physical education.
This bill creates a New York State scholarship program to support undergraduate students pursuing STEM degrees (science, technology, engineering, math, and design). It directly affects high school graduates from New York who rank in the top 10% of their class and enroll full-time in STEM programs at NY colleges. The scholarship covers tuition costs (up to SUNY rates) but converts to a loan if recipients switch majors, fail to work in a NY STEM job for five years after graduation, or miss reporting requirements. The program aims to boost STEM education and workforce readiness by incentivizing both academic completion and post-graduation employment within the state.
