Education

in committee · New York · Senate Mar 27, 2025

S 6924: Requires the public school curriculum for children in kindergarten through grade twelve to include a minimum of two hours per week instruction in civics lessons

Requires the public school curriculum for children in kindergarten through grade twelve to include a minimum of two hours per week instruction in civics lessons.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates increased civics curriculum hours (2+ hrs/week) for K-12, directly enhancing educational content and curriculum requirements per bill text.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 388: Amends the New York state college choice tuition savings program to have the program also apply to elementary and secondary schools

S 388 expands New York's existing College Choice Tuition Savings Program to include elementary and secondary schools, allowing families to save tax-advantaged funds for K-12 education costs. The bill amends tax law to permit a $5,000 annual tax exclusion (or $10,000 for joint filers) for contributions to accounts covering K-12 tuition, mirroring the current college savings tax treatment. It updates program definitions, tax provisions, and reporting requirements to explicitly cover public and private elementary/secondary schools. This change directly affects New York families using the program for K-12 education expenses, not just college. The policy takes effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax exclusion for K-12 education savings, providing tax relief similar to college programs, aligning with fiscal support for education expenses.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tax-advantaged savings for K-12 tuition, enhancing educational access and affordability through tax incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Choice

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 27, 2025

S 6923: Provides for absence from school for the mental or behavioral health of the minor

This bill amends New York's education law to explicitly permit students to miss school for mental or behavioral health reasons, directly affecting students, parents, and school districts. It requires the state education commissioner to establish rules governing such absences, similar to existing rules for religious observances. Schools must follow these rules when approving absences related to a minor's mental or behavioral health, rather than relying on general absence policies. The change does not create new mental health services but formalizes a pathway for students to miss school without penalty for these health needs. The bill focuses on attendance policy, not treatment access or school funding.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows mental health absences, reducing barriers to education access by mandating school policies that support student well-being without penalizing attendance.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExplicitly permits school absences for mental health, creating formal rules to support student access to care without penalty, aligning with mental health service support indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Student Health Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 902: Relates to site mapping for emergency response data and school safety plans

This bill requires New York school districts to create standardized digital site maps for emergency response, directly affecting schools and law enforcement. The maps must include detailed floor plans, school grounds, surrounding roads, and specific labels (like exits, hazardous materials, and emergency equipment), formatted to work with existing police software without requiring new purchases. It also allocates state funding to reimburse schools for creating these maps, ensuring compatibility with law enforcement systems and annual accuracy verification through walkthroughs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds for school emergency mapping reimbursement, directly funding a public safety program within state budget framework.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates state funding for school safety mapping, enhancing emergency response infrastructure in K-12 schools, directly supporting educational safety measures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6066: Relates to establishing a high school robotics grant program

Establishes a high school robotics grant program; provides funding to high schools for participation in robotics competitions; sets forth eligibility requirements; provides for the application and awards process.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds for robotics grants, increasing public education funding within budget appropriations.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes grant program funding robotics competitions in high schools, directly increasing educational program resources and student access to STEM opportunities.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill funds high school robotics competitions, directly advancing technology education and STEM engagement per its grant program purpose.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 1072: Directs the commissioner of education to require public schools to report on compliance with art education instruction requirements

This bill directs the state education commissioner to require public school districts to report on their compliance with existing art education instruction requirements for elementary and secondary grades. Districts must detail which schools lack art education, reasons for non-compliance, student participation, and if they employ certified art teachers or provide sufficient class time. Superintendents of non-compliant districts must develop and implement corrective action plans, and districts failing to report will be listed publicly. The commissioner will also provide an annual report to the governor and legislative leaders analyzing the data and suggesting steps to ensure compliance across all public schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates compliance reporting and corrective plans for art education, enforcing existing curriculum requirements to strengthen K-12 arts access and teacher standards.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8458: Requires climate change education in public schools

Requires climate change instruction within the current established science curriculum; requires such instruction be taught in grades one through twelve.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates climate change education in K-12 science curricula, expanding required content to address current scientific understanding and educational standards.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates climate change education in K-12 science curriculum, promoting environmental awareness and education on climate science.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Climate Change

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7504: Includes policies and procedures for responding to students having mental health crises in school safety plans

Includes policies and procedures for responding to students having mental health crises in a manner that does not include contacting law enforcement unless implied or direct threats of violence or other criminal activity is involved in school safety plans.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill reduces law enforcement involvement in non-violent mental health crises, aligning with criminal justice reform by minimizing unnecessary criminalization and promoting alternative responses.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes school protocols for mental health crises without law enforcement, enhancing student safety and support within educational environment90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates school safety plans to address mental health crises via healthcare services, avoiding law enforcement - directly supports mental health access in schools.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety School Transportation Student Health Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6825: Enacts the "public education racial equity and diversity act"

Relates to promoting equity and diversity in educational leadership and prioritize the issuance of new charters to community-based organizations run by individuals from historically underrepresented communities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationPrioritizes racial equity and diversity in educational leadership and charter issuance for underrepresented communities, advancing access and inclusion in public education.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2077: Authorizes the delivery of telehealth services in schools by licensed providers

This bill allows licensed telehealth providers to deliver health, dental, and mental health services to students within school settings. It requires providers to meet specific licensing standards, obtain parental consent, and use secure technology to protect student privacy. Schools will not bear costs for these services - funding comes from federal, state, or other existing sources - and telehealth must supplement, not replace, existing school health staff like nurses and counselors. The state must create regulations covering provider requirements, billing, technology standards, and compliance with privacy laws.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAuthorizes school-based telehealth services to improve student health access without replacing staff, supplementing existing school health programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes telehealth for student health/dental/mental services, expands access without replacing staff, uses existing funding to supplement care - directly improves healthcare access and supports mental health services.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires secure technology for student privacy, directly protecting data privacy per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health Telehealth

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