Education

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4390: Relates to payments made by school districts to charter schools

This bill requires school districts to directly pay charter schools for federal or state aid tied to students with disabilities, based on the level of services the charter school provides for those students. Payments must be made in quarterly installments aligned with the district's state aid schedule, and initial payments for a charter school's first year are based on projected enrollment (later adjusted using actual enrollment data). The commissioner of education determines final payment amounts, and school districts may reduce payments through agreements outlined in the charter. This change ensures charter schools receive accurate, timely funding for disability-related services, directly affecting school districts and charter schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates direct payments to charter schools for disability-related services, ensuring proper funding allocation for students with disabilities per state aid schedules.92% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Special Education

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 638: Relates to reimbursement of non-public and private schools where COVID testing is being mandated

This bill requires the state to reimburse non-public and private schools for costs incurred when the state mandates COVID-19 testing for students, teachers, and staff in in-person school settings. It directly affects all non-public and private schools subject to such state-mandated testing requirements. The state must cover these costs through a process established by the Commissioner of Education, who will create rules and procedures for reimbursement. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires state to fund school testing reimbursements, increasing budget allocation for mandated programs.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationReimburses non-public/private schools for mandated COVID testing costs, providing direct state funding to support school operations during pandemic requirements.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8033: Requires colleges and universities in the state to have education programs for prospective teachers, administrators, and counselors for teaching immigrant-origin students

Requires the city university of New York and state university of New York have education programs for prospective teachers, administrators, and counselors for teaching immigrant-origin students that promotes diversity, equity and inclusion, and is multilingual.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates DEI programs for educators serving immigrant students, enhancing curriculum access and equity in education.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill mandates education programs for teaching immigrant-origin students, promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and multilingualism, directly supporting immigrant integration and services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics DACA & Dreamers

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1151: Authorizes the issuance of "I Support Music Education" distinctive plates and establishes the "I support music education" fund

This bill creates special "I Support Music Education" license plates for New York vehicle owners. Drivers who choose these plates pay an additional $25 annual fee, with all such fees deposited into a dedicated "I Support Music Education" fund. The fund finances approved music education programs across New York State, managed by the Department of Education. The money is used exclusively for music education initiatives, not general state spending. (3 sentences)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates dedicated fund for music education via voluntary $25 plate fee, allocating new revenue exclusively to public service program90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates dedicated fund via $25 plate fees exclusively for music education programs, directly advancing educational initiatives within K-12 curriculum funding.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4314: Relates to school suspension

Provides that where a pupil may be considered a dangerous threat to themself or others, such pupil may be suspended for no more than ten days prior to a hearing taking place to allow the school to have adequate time to make an evaluation on the pupil's mental health, which may include a psychiatric evaluation, and the risk of danger to others and to consult with law enforcement.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates mental health evaluations before suspensions to assess safety risks, promoting student welfare and preventing impulsive disciplinary actions in schools.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3860: Relates to the use of a medical immunization exemption form

This bill requires schools to accept a standardized medical immunization exemption form signed by a licensed healthcare provider. It directly affects students who cannot receive certain vaccines due to health reasons and the schools they attend. The form must include parent/guardian details, child information, the specific medical reason, and the provider's license details, covering diseases like measles, polio, and influenza. The bill eliminates additional state requirements for these exemptions, ensuring the form alone satisfies school admission policies under existing law.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationStandardizes medical exemption process, ensuring students with health concerns can attend school without unnecessary barriers, supporting educational access.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStandardizes medical exemption forms for school immunizations, ensuring valid exemptions without unnecessary barriers, supporting public health compliance and herd immunity protection.92% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5273: Prohibits the use of restraints and seclusion in schools and provides for more rapid notice to parents if restraints or seclusion is used

Implements a state-wide plan to prevent and reduce the use of seclusion and physical restraint in schools; prohibits the use of seclusion, mechanical restraint, chemical restraint, and dangerous restraints that restrict breathing on students; authorizes annual appropriations to provide grants to school districts; provides for more rapid notice to parents if restraints or seclusion is used on a student.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProhibits harmful restraints/seclusion in schools and mandates parent notifications, directly protecting student welfare in K-12 education while authorizing grants for implementation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Special Education Student Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6720: Relates to banning the use of biometric identifying technology in schools

Prohibits the use of biometric identifying technology in schools for any reason other than certain specified purposes; adds fingerprint identification of teachers, administrators and students for the purpose of securely logging into a digital device for academic and administrative purpose to allowable purposes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill restricts biometric technology use in schools to protect student privacy, aligning with 'protect' indicator for education.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBans biometric tech in schools except for limited login purposes, restricting data collection methods and prioritizing privacy over technology use.95% confidence

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passed both · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 8044: Establishes the libraries literacy education guidance act

This bill establishes the "libraries literacy education guidance act," directing the State Librarian to provide guidance on evidence-based practices for literacy education. This guidance, focusing on reading competency areas like phonemic awareness, phonics, and comprehension, will be distributed to all public and association libraries in New York state. It is primarily for students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, with modified guidance for older students and adults. The State Librarian must update this guidance every two years, considering feedback from the libraries.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes evidence-based literacy guidance for K-12 students, directly advancing curriculum standards and educational access through state library resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Libraries

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1408: Establishes an educational program related to the prevention of anti-Semitism, Islamophobia bias and discrimination based on religion, race, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression

Establishes an educational program related to the prevention of anti-Semitism, Islamophobia bias and discrimination based on religion, race, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes anti-bias educational program, enhancing curriculum inclusivity and student access per topic description.95% confidence

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