Education

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6800: Removes the board of trustees of the state university of New York as a charter entity; repealer

This bill removes the State University of New York (SUNY) board of trustees from the list of entities authorized to approve charter school applications in New York. It specifically deletes SUNY's role as a "charter entity" in education law, leaving only local school district boards (with geographic limits) and the Board of Regents as approval authorities. The change streamlines the charter school approval process by eliminating SUNY as a potential reviewer, affecting how new charter schools and school conversions are evaluated.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationStreamlines charter school approvals by removing SUNY as a reviewer, potentially expanding access to alternative education options.80% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7091: Relates to establishing the Beacon School Pilot Program in New York city schools

This bill establishes the Beacon School Pilot Program for New York City public elementary and secondary schools. It transforms schools into community hubs offering after-school activities, academic support, violence prevention programs, and services for families and adults. Key provisions require each school to create a community advisory council with neighborhood input, address youth development and neighborhood safety, and leverage public/private funding to expand existing partnerships. The program aims to reduce gang and gun violence by providing structured opportunities for youth engagement and community cohesion, with the city providing annual funding matched by state appropriations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes Beacon School Pilot Program with after-school support, academic programs, and community partnerships, expanding educational services and funding opportunities.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1491: Authorizes a weighted selection process for the allocation of certain prekindergarten seats

Authorizes a weighted selection process prioritizing children who would be eligible to receive free or reduced price lunch and/or who are emergent multilingual learners for the allocation of certain prekindergarten seats in school districts where there are more eligible children than can be served in a given school year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationPrioritizes low-income and emergent multilingual learners for pre-K access, expanding educational equity for underserved students in school districts with limited capacity.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8073: 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 prioritization of homeless children in pre-K and funds staff for inclusion, expanding educational access for vulnerable students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 7353: Protects the independence of libraries and shields librarians from civil and criminal liability for certain actions

This bill, the "Protecting Libraries' Independence Act," directly affects public libraries, their librarians, and patrons. It requires public libraries to make reasonable efforts to provide requested library materials (like books, databases, or media) to residents served by the library, within professional standards. Crucially, it shields librarians and library staff from civil or criminal lawsuits for good-faith decisions about selecting, curating, or removing materials under this law. The measure aims to protect library independence by reducing legal risks for staff handling material choices.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProtects library access to materials, supporting educational access by shielding librarians from liability for providing requested resources within professional standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8975: Establishes open enrollment schools

Establishes open enrollment schools; provides that nonresidents of a district, if otherwise eligible to enroll into a public school of this state are entitled to enroll into the school or schools of another district or city if the nonresident district's board of education has adopted an open enrollment policy and enrolling the nonresident pupil is consistent with such policy.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access by enabling nonresident enrollment across districts with open enrollment policies, directly advancing student choice and school access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2009: Establishes the "EmpowerED Act: Empowering students and enhancing educational opportunities in New York"

Establishes interregional enrollment of students taking classes in multiple school districts (Part A); allows students who are enrolled in and taking classes in multiple school districts to receive cooperative and individualized educational services (Part B).

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational access by enabling interregional student enrollment across districts and providing cooperative services, directly aligning with 'enhancing educational opportunities' in its title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7093: Provides for inclusion of the school district's regional cost index in calculating the supplemental education improvement plan grant amount for Yonkers city schools

Provides for inclusion of the school district's regional cost index in calculating the supplemental education improvement plan grant amount for Yonkers city school district.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill adjusts grant calculation to include regional cost index, ensuring Yonkers schools receive adequate funding based on local costs, directly supporting school funding needs.95% confidence

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passed · New York · Senate May 28, 2026

S 79: Requires that all special education students attending schools scheduled to be closed or to undergo a significant change be assigned to new schools prior to the implementation of the closing or change

Requires that all special education students attending schools scheduled to be closed or to undergo a significant change be assigned to new schools prior to the implementation of the closing or change.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnsures continuity of special education services during school transitions, protecting student access to appropriate educational placement per IEP requirements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4214: Establishes family literacy programs for economically disadvantaged families living in poverty areas or areas with low-performing public schools

Establishes family literacy programs for economically disadvantaged families living in poverty areas or areas with low-performing public schools; provides for competitive matching grants to establish a comprehensive program; requires commissioner of education to submit an annual report to the governor and legislature.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes competitive grants for family literacy programs in low-performing schools, expanding educational access and support for disadvantaged families.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

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