Education

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3128: Relates to requiring schools to conduct annual lead testing

Requires schools to conduct annual lead testing on pipes and paint in all schools in New York city that provide schooling for children ages six and under and to remediate any presence of lead immediately if detected.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires lead testing and immediate remediation in school infrastructure, directly improving safety for K-12 students in NYC.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6828: Relates to providing funding for transitional programs for students from English-speaking Caribbean countries

Relates to providing funding for transitional programs for students from English-speaking Caribbean countries who are not eligible for limited English proficiency programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly allocates funding for transitional education programs targeting Caribbean students, directly advancing educational access and support.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6208: Relates to enacting the free resources for equitable education (FREE) act

Relates to enacting the "free resources for equitable education (FREE) act"; requires State University of New York higher education institutions to designate all general education and 25 percent of all major specific courses as low textbook cost (LTC) or zero textbook cost (ZTC).

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates zero/low textbook cost courses to increase access and reduce student financial barriers in higher education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education Libraries

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 928: Requires a review of school safety plans for traffic and transportation issues

Requires a local transportation regulatory agency to review school safety plans for traffic and transportation issues prior to the issuance of a building permit for a new school facility or the expansion or renovation of an existing school facility.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires safety reviews for school facility traffic plans, enhancing infrastructure safety and aligning with education infrastructure improvements.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates review of school traffic safety plans, enhancing transportation safety standards for school facilities85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety School Transportation Pedestrian Safety Traffic Safety

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4927: Relates to waiving school taxes by a town, city, or county industrial development agency

This bill prohibits town, city, or county industrial development agencies from waiving taxes that would otherwise be paid to school districts. It directly affects school districts by ensuring they receive all taxes that would have been collected from properties or developments under these agencies' jurisdiction. The key provision requires agencies to collect all applicable taxes instead of entering into agreements that replace tax payments with alternative payments. This change ensures school districts maintain their regular revenue streams from local development activities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill prevents industrial development agencies from waiving school taxes, ensuring school districts receive full tax revenue, directly protecting public school funding and fiscal responsibility.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill prohibits tax waivers that would reduce school district revenue, directly protecting educational funding by ensuring full tax collection for schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1274: Establishes the "Purple Star School Program" to assist military-connected students and to recognize the value of military service and civic responsibility

Establishes the "Purple Star School Program" to assist military-connected students and to recognize the value of military service and civic responsibility.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates program to assist military-connected students in K-12 schools, enhancing educational access and support for a specific student group.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6209: Establishes interventions for children with dyslexia or other phonological learning differences or disabilities

Requires each school district to provide interventions and special curricula for children with dyslexia or other phonological learning differences or disabilities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates school districts to provide interventions and special curricula for dyslexic students, advancing educational support for learning differences in K-12 settings.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3595: Requires all school districts to have a licensed physical education teacher

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates licensed PE teachers to ensure qualified instruction, strengthening program quality and teacher standards in K-12 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health Teachers

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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

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 325: Provides for accelerated payments to the city school district of the city of Mount Vernon

This bill provides Mount Vernon City School District with accelerated state payments to support its fiscal stability. It authorizes annual payments of $5 million starting in the 2025-2026 school year, calculated using a formula based on the number of years elapsed since 2025 (e.g., $5 million in 2025-2026, decreasing gradually over 28 years). The district must submit monthly financial reports detailing fund balances and usage of these payments, and quarterly budget reports comparing actual revenues/expenditures to estimates. These payments are deducted from future state aid to the district before other payments are made, and all reports are shared with state education and budget offices. The funding mechanism applies through the 2052-2053 school year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides $5M annual state payments to Mount Vernon school district for fiscal stability, directly increasing K-12 school funding as required by the bill's summary.95% confidence

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