Education

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8325: Enacts the "our school our rules act"

Bill A 8325, known as the "Our Schools Our Rules Act," aims to protect the autonomy of local school districts. It prohibits the state's education department, commissioner, or board of regents from requiring local school districts to develop or participate in mandatory regionalization plans. Such plans involve sharing resources, administrative operations, or instructional services among various educational entities. While preventing state-mandated regionalization, the bill clarifies that local school districts can still voluntarily enter into agreements for shared services with other districts or educational bodies.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationPrevents state mandates on regionalization, protecting local school district autonomy in operations and resource management.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5752: Relates to making certain provisions applicable to public schools relating to instruction in civility, citizenship and character education

This bill requires all New York public schools (K-12) to include a mandatory component on civility, citizenship, and character education in their curriculum. It mandates instruction on principles like honesty, respect, personal responsibility, and anti-bullying, with specific emphasis on discouraging harassment, discrimination, and promoting safety online. The curriculum must cover awareness of discrimination based on race, weight, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, and sex. School officials must integrate this into existing lessons without creating new programs, and the state education department will handle implementation rules. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates K-12 curriculum additions on civility/citizenship, enhancing educational content and promoting inclusive values per bill text95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education School Safety

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5140: Establishes a farm-to-school task force and requiring all public schools to provide fresh foods to students in a manner that supports local agriculture

Establishes a farm-to-school task force; directs the commissioner of education to develop a program to require all public schools to provide fresh foods to students in a manner that supports local agriculture and increases market opportunities for farmers from under-represented communities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates fresh food programs in public schools supporting local agriculture, enhancing student nutrition and school meal quality which aligns with educational access and student well-being initiatives.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3720: Enacts the "New York city board for education policy members public responsibility act"

Enacts the "New York city board for education policy members public responsibility act" requiring a quorum of the members of the city board to attend any hearing scheduled for purposes of allowing public comment on changes to educational plans for the school district of the city of New York.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires city board quorum attendance at public comment hearings for educational plan changes, promoting transparency and public input in school policy decisions.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1682: Prohibits the use of remote or virtual learning as a form of punishment or disciplinary action

Prohibits the use of remote or virtual learning as a form of punishment or disciplinary action; provides exceptions for failure to comply with COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProhibits using remote learning as punishment, protecting student access to in-person education during discipline. Exceptions for health protocols don't alter core protective intent for educational access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2488: Enacts the "rebuild our schools act"

This bill creates a new funding formula to help high-need school districts in specific counties address capacity shortages (like overcrowded classrooms). It directly affects districts with populations between 940,000-1 million residents (per 2010 census) that have voter-approved building projects since July 2021. The key mechanism replaces standard funding calculations with a special "high-need secondary supplemental building aid ratio," which boosts aid based on existing rates but caps it at a calculated maximum. This ensures districts with at least 10% capacity shortages receive enhanced funding for construction or repairs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new funding formula boosting state appropriations for high-need school districts, directly increasing public education spending under fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates new funding formula to address school overcrowding and infrastructure needs in high-need districts, directly boosting aid for school capacity projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds School Funding

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4492: Requires new teachers to have completed training for evidence-based reading instruction

Requires new teachers applying for certification or a license including childhood education teachers, early education teachers, special education teachers, or reading specialists to have completed training for evidence-based reading instruction.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates evidence-based reading training for new teachers, enhancing educator preparedness and student literacy outcomes per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Teachers

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5788: Amends the New York state college choice tuition savings program to have the program also apply to elementary and secondary schools

This bill expands New York's existing college tuition savings program to include elementary and secondary schools. It amends the law to allow families to use the program's tax-advantaged savings accounts for K-12 education costs, not just college. The changes update program references, tax code provisions (including the $5,000/$10,000 annual contribution deduction), and eligibility to cover all grades. The program will now support families saving for both college and K-12 tuition at public or private schools.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax-advantaged savings program to K-12 with updated tax deductions ($5k/$10k), providing tax relief for families under fiscal policy.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tax-advantaged savings program to cover K-12 education, increasing access and funding options for families95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Choice

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4226: Establishes requirements for school libraries

This bill requires all elementary and secondary school libraries to provide equitable access to both physical resources (like books and technology) and digital resources (like e-books and databases). It mandates that libraries offer flexible access to space and staff for students, teachers, and faculty, and that school districts allocate budgets per student to maintain relevant resources. Districts must annually evaluate libraries using a state-created rubric, and the education commissioner will establish rules for library management and reporting. The law directly affects all public school districts in the state, setting concrete standards for library access and funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates school districts allocate per-student budgets for library resources, directly funding essential educational infrastructure within fiscal management framework.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates equitable access to physical/digital resources, per-student budget allocation, and annual evaluations to strengthen library services and access.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates equitable digital resource access (e-books, databases) and technology in school libraries, with budget allocation per student to maintain resources, promoting digital equity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Libraries Student Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7088: Creates a grant program for school districts, institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, other entities to prepare students for postsecondary STEM education and careers; appropriation

This bill creates a $50 million grant program to support STEM education and career preparation for students in New York. It directly affects school districts (especially high-need districts), colleges, nonprofits, and other eligible organizations that develop STEM programs for K-12 students. Key provisions include competitive grants prioritizing high-need schools, funding for teacher training and after-school programs, and requirements for comprehensive planning. Grants are awarded for five years with annual progress evaluations, and funds cannot replace existing state testing requirements. The program is funded through an immediate appropriation from the state treasury.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $50 million for STEM education grants, directly increasing state funding for public education programs per budget & taxes definition.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $50M for STEM grants prioritizing high-need schools, funds teacher training and after-school programs, directly advancing K-12 STEM education access and funding.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates $50M STEM grant program for K-12 tech education, directly funding workforce development in technology fields and aligning with digital equity promotion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Teachers Testing & Assessment

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