Education

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3879: Permits the commissioner of education to include graduate programs as programs eligible for approval under the state tuition assistance program

This bill (A 3879) permits the commissioner of education to approve graduate programs for inclusion in the state tuition assistance program, which previously excluded them. It directly affects graduate students seeking state-funded tuition aid by expanding eligibility to include approved graduate programs. The key provision amends education law to explicitly state that "nothing in this section shall be read to exclude any graduate program" from being classified as an approved program. The change modifies eligibility rules but does not guarantee funding - approval remains at the commissioner's discretion. This is a policy adjustment to broaden access to state tuition assistance for graduate education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands state tuition aid eligibility to graduate programs, increasing access to higher education funding and aligning with education access indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1696: Enables high school students to use public transportation without charge in order to ride to and from school

This bill allows all high school students attending public or private schools to ride public transportation for free, covering one daily round-trip between home and school. Schools must provide students with identification cards to verify eligibility for this benefit. The policy takes effect 180 days after the bill becomes law. It directly affects high school students and public transit systems in school districts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves transportation cost barrier for high school students, directly expanding educational access to school attendance.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEnables free public transit access for students, expanding ridership and promoting sustainable transportation use without restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Transportation Student Health Public Transit

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passed · New York · Senate May 18, 2026

S 2126: Directs the commissioner to convene statewide and regional conventions to bring together underrepresented educators

Directs the commissioner to convene statewide and regional conventions to bring together underrepresented educators annually to discuss experiences, best practices, and afford for networking, mentorship opportunities, and support.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates annual conventions for underrepresented educators to discuss best practices, networking, and mentorship, directly supporting educator development and inclusion in education policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 335: 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 ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates school safety plans to address student mental health crises without law enforcement involvement, promoting student well-being and safe learning environments within education policy.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates school safety plans for mental health crises without law enforcement involvement, directly supporting mental health services by improving access and reducing criminalization.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7140: Creates substance use and fentanyl prevention and recovery resource materials for schools

Creates substance use prevention and recovery resource materials which include age-appropriate information on the risks of drug use, overdoses, fentanyl, including its high potency, the severe risks associated with its use, the prevalence of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl, and the concept of fentanyl poisoning, and how to include resources from outside of the school district to improve instruction.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates school resource materials on substance use prevention, enhancing student health education and school-based instruction within educational programs.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates school-based substance use prevention materials addressing fentanyl risks, advancing public health initiatives through education and resource provision.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 309: Requires the development of a bleeding control kit program and the installation of bleeding control kits in schools

Requires the commissioner of education, in consultation with the commissioner of health, to develop a bleeding control kit program which requires bleeding control kits to be installed in easily accessible areas of schools; requires training of personnel to use bleeding control kits in the event of an injury to another person.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires bleeding control kits in schools for student safety, aligning with school infrastructure improvements under education policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2621: Enacts the "education funding census update act"

This bill updates the methodology for calculating education funding by replacing outdated references to the 2000 census with current data sources. It revises definitions of "census count" and "poverty rate" to use the most recent federal decennial census data and a three-year average of small area income estimates, rather than relying solely on a single-year census. School districts, particularly those classified as "high-need" based on student poverty levels, will have their state education funding recalculated using these updated metrics. The change ensures funding formulas reflect more current socioeconomic conditions in communities. The bill takes effect April 1 following enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesUpdates education funding methodology to current data, ensuring accurate allocation to high-need districts, advancing public service funding.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationUpdates education funding methodology to current data, ensuring accurate allocation to high-need districts, supporting equitable funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2608: Requires that the same educational requirements shall apply for students who require nursing services as for general education students

Requires that the same educational requirements shall apply for students who require nursing services as for general education students; provides that nursing services may be delivered to students with disabilities through electronic communication or a virtual or online platform or in the home of the student.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires equal educational standards for students needing nursing services, ensuring inclusive access without lowering requirements for students with disabilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Student Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5405: Requires hate crime awareness curriculum or instruction for school districts

This bill requires New York school districts to implement age-appropriate hate crime awareness curriculum. It directs the education commissioner, with input from the Division of Human Rights, to develop content covering discrimination, religious intolerance (including anti-Semitism and Islamophobia), and positive actions for inclusion. Schools may integrate this into existing social studies or other curricula, without requiring statewide uniformity. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, after enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates age-appropriate hate crime awareness curriculum covering discrimination and inclusion, enhancing educational content and promoting student inclusion per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4782: Relates to public higher education admissions and standardized testing

Prevents certain public institutions of higher education from using the scholastic aptitude test and ACT assessment in the admissions process on and after the two thousand twenty-six--two thousand twenty-seven academic year for New York resident applicants; requires SUNY and CUNY to create a new standardized test by the two thousand thirty--two thousand thirty-one academic year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBans SAT/ACT in admissions for NY residents, aiming to expand access to public higher education by removing standardized testing barriers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Testing & Assessment

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