Education

in committee · New York · Senate May 12, 2026

S 527: Relates to revisions to charter schools

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.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts charter school expansion by limiting grade-level combinations, directly limiting school model flexibility within K-12 education policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Choice

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6423: Transportation services for certain school districts

This bill allows the school districts in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Yonkers to provide transportation for students living half a mile or more from school if safety concerns require it. Districts must get board approval and commissioner permission to offer this service, which is limited to safety-related trips within a 15-mile radius and must be provided equally to all eligible students. Transportation costs under this program count toward state aid calculations, and districts must report on program costs, benefits, and impacts on attendance and academic performance by September 15, 2028. The law directly affects students in those four city districts who qualify based on safety and distance.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables safety-focused student transportation to improve access to schools, with costs counting toward state aid calculations, directly expanding educational access.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEnables school districts to provide safety-focused student transportation, aligning with enhancing transportation safety per topic definition.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety School Transportation

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4289: Requires certain public schools to provide Halal food during lunch

Requires certain public schools in any city with a population over one million to offer Halal food options during lunch to students with dietary restrictions free of charge.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires schools to accommodate dietary restrictions via Halal food, expanding educational access for affected students without cost.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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died · New York · Senate May 21, 2026

S 3278: Provides for licensure of school psychology practitioners

Provides for the licensure of school psychology practitioners; authorizes the use of the title "licensed school psychology practitioner" to licensed or exempt individuals; defines practice of licensed school psychology practitioners; sets forth requirements for professional licensure (including educational attainment, experience, exam and fee); provides for issuance of limited permits under specified circumstances; identifies exempt persons; establishes mandatory continuing education requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes licensure standards for school psychologists, enhancing professional qualifications in educational settings per bill's focus on practice requirements and titles.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2277: Relates to limitations upon school district tax levies

Provides that the tax levy limit shall be equal to a zero percent increase over the prior year tax levy when the difference between the total amount of taxes levied for the prior year less the tax levy limit results in a negative number.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesDirectly restricts school district tax levies to zero percent increase when prior year levy would exceed limit, limiting tax authority.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill caps school tax levies at zero percent increase, restricting district funding flexibility and limiting potential tax-based school funding increases.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax State Budget School Funding

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6783: Promotes the inclusion of children living in temporary housing in prekindergarten programs

Promotes the inclusion of children living in temporary housing in prekindergarten programs; requires school districts to prioritize homeless children on any pre-K waitlists and provides for the reimbursement to school districts of hiring additional staff to accommodate the enrollment of a homeless child.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates prioritizing homeless children in pre-K enrollment and reimburses districts for staff, expanding educational access for vulnerable students.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAddresses homelessness by prioritizing homeless children in pre-K programs, aligning with housing support indicators like protecting vulnerable housing situations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Homelessness

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4600: Relates to grants for facilities providing prekindergarten services

Bill A 4600 aims to strengthen the financial viability of facilities providing prekindergarten services in New York. Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, it modifies how state grants are calculated for school districts, providing funds based on the number of three- and four-year-old pupils served, with a base amount of $6,400 per full-day equivalent pupil, adjusted annually for inflation. The bill also increases the percentage of grant funds school districts must set aside for collaborative efforts with community-based organizations from 10% to 15%. Additionally, it mandates the establishment of equivalent standards for teacher-to-student ratios and class sizes across all prekindergarten programs, whether administered by school districts or partner agencies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state grants for pre-K facilities, increasing funding for early education through modified grant calculations and annual inflation adjustments.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill increases state grants for prekindergarten facilities based on pupil count with $6,400 base amount, adjusted for inflation, strengthening funding for early education access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Teachers

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in committee · New York · Assembly Dec 8, 2025

A 5320: Provides for tuition assistance program awards for students experiencing homelessness

Bill A 5320 expands tuition assistance eligibility in New York to include students experiencing homelessness, aligning with federal McKinney-Vento Act standards. It requires the state to adopt a uniform verification method for homelessness status using the same federal guidelines applied to student financial aid. The bill also clarifies that homeless students (classified under federal foster care or McKinney-Vento criteria) cannot be considered "emancipated" for aid purposes, ensuring they retain eligibility without requiring parental control relinquishment. This directly affects homeless students seeking state tuition assistance under New York’s education law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands state-funded tuition assistance program eligibility, requiring new budget allocation for homeless students' aid verification and distribution under state program.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tuition aid eligibility for homeless students, aligning with federal standards to ensure equitable higher education access and funding under McKinney-Vento guidelines.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4813: Prohibits funding of any degree-granting institution of higher education if such institution permits certain organizations on campus

Prohibits state funding of any degree-granting institution of higher education if such institution permits terrorist organizations or activities in support of such organizations on campus; prohibits any student group or organization of receiving funding from the degree-granting institution if such group or organization directly or indirectly promotes, encourages, advocates, or engages in any terrorist advocacy or activities on campus.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationDefunds higher education institutions permitting terrorist activities, restricting funding access as a security condition.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2240: Provides for absence from school for the mental or behavioral health of the minor

This bill amends New York's education law to explicitly allow students to be absent from school for "mental or behavioral health" reasons, alongside existing permitted absences like religious observance. It directly affects minor students and their schools, ensuring mental health needs are recognized as a valid reason for absence without penalty. The key mechanism requires the state education commissioner to establish specific rules for how schools must handle such absences. The law does not create new requirements but formalizes existing practice under a clear policy framework.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExplicitly allows mental health absences without penalty, recognizing student well-being as valid reason for absence, directly supporting educational access and student needs.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly recognizes mental health as valid school absence reason, enabling access to care without penalty, aligning with mental health service support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health

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