Education

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6112: Provides the Board of Regents with final approval authority over all proposed and renewed charter schools

This bill gives New York's Board of Regents final authority to approve or reject all new and renewed charter schools, directly affecting charter school applicants and operators. It requires charter entities to revise proposals based on Regents' feedback and resubmit them for final review, with the Regents having 30 days to act on resubmitted applications. If the Regents do not approve within 30 days, the charter is automatically approved. The bill also states that a charter cannot be approved by the applicant if the Regents recommend changes that remain unresolved. This changes the current process by making the Regents' approval the final step, not the applicant's decision.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationAdds regulatory barriers (revisions, resubmissions, 30-day review) for charter school approvals, limiting expansion of charter school options in K-12 education.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5140: Establishes a farm-to-school task force and requiring all public schools to provide fresh foods to students in a manner that supports local agriculture

Establishes a farm-to-school task force; directs the commissioner of education to develop a program to require all public schools to provide fresh foods to students in a manner that supports local agriculture and increases market opportunities for farmers from under-represented communities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates fresh food programs in public schools supporting local agriculture, enhancing student nutrition and school meal quality which aligns with educational access and student well-being initiatives.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3720: Enacts the "New York city board for education policy members public responsibility act"

Enacts the "New York city board for education policy members public responsibility act" requiring a quorum of the members of the city board to attend any hearing scheduled for purposes of allowing public comment on changes to educational plans for the school district of the city of New York.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires city board quorum attendance at public comment hearings for educational plan changes, promoting transparency and public input in school policy decisions.85% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1682: Prohibits the use of remote or virtual learning as a form of punishment or disciplinary action

Prohibits the use of remote or virtual learning as a form of punishment or disciplinary action; provides exceptions for failure to comply with COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProhibits using remote learning as punishment, protecting student access to in-person education during discipline. Exceptions for health protocols don't alter core protective intent for educational access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2488: Enacts the "rebuild our schools act"

This bill creates a new funding formula to help high-need school districts in specific counties address capacity shortages (like overcrowded classrooms). It directly affects districts with populations between 940,000-1 million residents (per 2010 census) that have voter-approved building projects since July 2021. The key mechanism replaces standard funding calculations with a special "high-need secondary supplemental building aid ratio," which boosts aid based on existing rates but caps it at a calculated maximum. This ensures districts with at least 10% capacity shortages receive enhanced funding for construction or repairs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new funding formula boosting state appropriations for high-need school districts, directly increasing public education spending under fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates new funding formula to address school overcrowding and infrastructure needs in high-need districts, directly boosting aid for school capacity projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds School Funding

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4492: Requires new teachers to have completed training for evidence-based reading instruction

Requires new teachers applying for certification or a license including childhood education teachers, early education teachers, special education teachers, or reading specialists to have completed training for evidence-based reading instruction.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates evidence-based reading training for new teachers, enhancing educator preparedness and student literacy outcomes per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Teachers

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5788: Amends the New York state college choice tuition savings program to have the program also apply to elementary and secondary schools

This bill expands New York's existing college tuition savings program to include elementary and secondary schools. It amends the law to allow families to use the program's tax-advantaged savings accounts for K-12 education costs, not just college. The changes update program references, tax code provisions (including the $5,000/$10,000 annual contribution deduction), and eligibility to cover all grades. The program will now support families saving for both college and K-12 tuition at public or private schools.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax-advantaged savings program to K-12 with updated tax deductions ($5k/$10k), providing tax relief for families under fiscal policy.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tax-advantaged savings program to cover K-12 education, increasing access and funding options for families95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Choice

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4226: Establishes requirements for school libraries

This bill requires all elementary and secondary school libraries to provide equitable access to both physical resources (like books and technology) and digital resources (like e-books and databases). It mandates that libraries offer flexible access to space and staff for students, teachers, and faculty, and that school districts allocate budgets per student to maintain relevant resources. Districts must annually evaluate libraries using a state-created rubric, and the education commissioner will establish rules for library management and reporting. The law directly affects all public school districts in the state, setting concrete standards for library access and funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates school districts allocate per-student budgets for library resources, directly funding essential educational infrastructure within fiscal management framework.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates equitable access to physical/digital resources, per-student budget allocation, and annual evaluations to strengthen library services and access.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates equitable digital resource access (e-books, databases) and technology in school libraries, with budget allocation per student to maintain resources, promoting digital equity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Libraries Student Health

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7088: Creates a grant program for school districts, institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, other entities to prepare students for postsecondary STEM education and careers; appropriation

This bill creates a $50 million grant program to support STEM education and career preparation for students in New York. It directly affects school districts (especially high-need districts), colleges, nonprofits, and other eligible organizations that develop STEM programs for K-12 students. Key provisions include competitive grants prioritizing high-need schools, funding for teacher training and after-school programs, and requirements for comprehensive planning. Grants are awarded for five years with annual progress evaluations, and funds cannot replace existing state testing requirements. The program is funded through an immediate appropriation from the state treasury.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $50 million for STEM education grants, directly increasing state funding for public education programs per budget & taxes definition.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $50M for STEM grants prioritizing high-need schools, funds teacher training and after-school programs, directly advancing K-12 STEM education access and funding.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates $50M STEM grant program for K-12 tech education, directly funding workforce development in technology fields and aligning with digital equity promotion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Teachers Testing & Assessment

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 299: Relates to reserve funds to ensure compliance with the tax cap in future school years

This bill (S 299) allows school districts with a combined wealth ratio of 35% or less to create a reserve fund. The fund can cover expenses that would otherwise push the district over its tax levy limit without needing voter approval. Districts must return unused funds to the general budget within four years if they’re not needed for future tax-compliant spending. It directly affects low-wealth school districts seeking to manage budget constraints under existing tax cap rules.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnables low-wealth school districts to manage tax levy compliance via reserve funds without voter approval, promoting fiscal responsibility under existing tax cap rules.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables low-wealth districts to manage tax-compliant budgets without voter approval, preventing funding shortfalls and maintaining educational stability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget School Funding

Track