Education

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3595: Requires all school districts to have a licensed physical education teacher

This bill requires all public school districts in the state to ensure physical education is taught by a licensed instructor. Districts with 20 or more teachers must employ a dedicated licensed PE teacher in every school, while smaller districts must arrange for PE instruction to be provided by existing licensed staff or a qualified PE teacher. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment, mandating this change across all public schools without exception. It directly affects every public school district and their staffing requirements for physical education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates licensed PE teachers to ensure qualified instruction, strengthening program quality and teacher standards in K-12 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health Teachers

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passed both · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 1986: Extends the time period for recovery of energy performance contract costs incurred by school districts

Extends the time period from eighteen years to twenty-five years that a school shall be guaranteed recovery of energy performance contract costs from energy savings incurred by school districts over that time period.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExtends energy cost recovery period for school infrastructure, reducing operational burdens and enabling long-term savings for school districts.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExtends recovery period for school energy efficiency contracts, enabling longer-term cost recovery and encouraging investment in energy-saving measures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 325: Provides for accelerated payments to the city school district of the city of Mount Vernon

This bill provides Mount Vernon City School District with accelerated state payments to support its fiscal stability. It authorizes annual payments of $5 million starting in the 2025-2026 school year, calculated using a formula based on the number of years elapsed since 2025 (e.g., $5 million in 2025-2026, decreasing gradually over 28 years). The district must submit monthly financial reports detailing fund balances and usage of these payments, and quarterly budget reports comparing actual revenues/expenditures to estimates. These payments are deducted from future state aid to the district before other payments are made, and all reports are shared with state education and budget offices. The funding mechanism applies through the 2052-2053 school year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides $5M annual state payments to Mount Vernon school district for fiscal stability, directly increasing K-12 school funding as required by the bill's summary.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8287: Requires rip current, rip tide and undertow curriculum or instruction

Enacts "Alexandra's law" to require school districts and charter schools to include in the curriculum or instruction teaching students how to recognize and react to rip currents, rip tides and undertows.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates inclusion of rip current safety curriculum in schools, enhancing student program content related to water safety education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum School Safety

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 30, 2025

S 3848: Requires LGBT awareness curriculum or instruction

This bill requires public school districts in New York to develop age-appropriate curriculum about the historical treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and gender non-conforming individuals. Schools must incorporate this content into social studies or other suitable courses, with flexibility for district-specific needs and grade-level adjustments. The curriculum must be developed by the education commissioner in consultation with relevant agencies, focusing on historical context rather than current events. The requirement takes effect for the 2026-2027 school year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates inclusion of LGBT history curriculum in K-12 schools, enhancing educational content and promoting inclusive education through required historical context.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7051: Relates to redefining science, technology, engineering and math education (STEM)

This bill creates a New York State scholarship program to support undergraduate students pursuing STEM degrees (science, technology, engineering, math, and design). It directly affects high school graduates from New York who rank in the top 10% of their class and enroll full-time in STEM programs at NY colleges. The scholarship covers tuition costs (up to SUNY rates) but converts to a loan if recipients switch majors, fail to work in a NY STEM job for five years after graduation, or miss reporting requirements. The program aims to boost STEM education and workforce readiness by incentivizing both academic completion and post-graduation employment within the state.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates STEM scholarship covering tuition for top NY high school graduates pursuing STEM degrees, directly funding higher education access and strengthening STEM education pathways.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5702: Permits special education services and programs for preschool children with handicapping conditions to establish reserve funds

This bill allows preschool special education programs for children with disabilities to save excess funds - up to 1% of annual costs each year, with a cumulative maximum of 4% - into reserve accounts. These funds must be used for approved expenses like paying prior-year debts or future services and automatically increase future funding calculations. Schools must report reserve balances annually to the education department. The changes apply to programs serving preschoolers with disabilities and take effect July 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllows reserve funds for fiscal management, promoting responsible budget use within special education programs by enabling future service funding and debt coverage.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows preschool special ed programs to save excess funds (up to 4% cumulative) for future services, enhancing financial flexibility and sustainability for student programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Special Education

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5763: Requires public schools to start no earlier than eight thirty a.m. and that no public high school within the state shall start before an elementary school starts within the same school district

Requires public schools to start no earlier than eight thirty a.m. and that no public high school within the state shall start before an elementary school starts within the same school district.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationSets later school start times to improve student health and academic performance, aligning with evidence-based education policies promoting student well-being.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Safety School Transportation

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4131: Conforms the New York state college choice tuition savings program to the federal qualified tuition program

Conforms the New York state college choice tuition savings program to the federal qualified tuition program so as to include savings for grades kindergarten through 12.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tax-advantaged savings for K-12 education, increasing access to educational funding options through state-federal program alignment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Choice

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2349: Relates to exempting payment in lieu of tax payments relating to energy systems from school district and local government tax levies

This bill amends tax laws to exclude payments in lieu of property taxes from renewable energy systems (like solar, wind, and battery storage) from school district and local government tax levies. It specifically removes these energy-related payments from calculations used to determine funding levels for schools and local services. The change directly affects school districts and municipalities that rely on tax levy formulas, ensuring renewable energy projects don't reduce their available funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExcludes renewable energy PILOT payments from tax levies, preventing school funding reductions. Protects public education budgets by maintaining funding levels.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExcludes renewable energy payments from tax levy calculations, preventing funding reductions for schools. Directly protects existing education funding stability as stated in the bill's summary.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExempts renewable energy tax payments from school funding calculations, removing financial disincentives for solar/wind projects and supporting renewable energy development.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExempts renewable energy tax payments, promoting clean energy adoption without direct environmental language85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Incentives School Funding Energy Storage Renewable Energy Solar

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