Education (K-12 Education)

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.

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.

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.

This bill (S 3824) prohibits K-12 schools and certain licensed private career schools from withholding student transcripts due to unpaid tuition. It directly affects students and families who need transcripts to transfer schools, apply to colleges, or enroll in programs. The law explicitly amends education statutes to ban this practice, requiring schools to provide transcripts regardless of financial status. The bill is currently in the Education Committee for further review.