Education (K-12 Education)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1124: Establishes the "EmpowerED Act: Empowering students and enhancing educational opportunities in New York"

Establishes interregional enrollment of students taking classes in multiple school districts (Part A); allows students who are enrolled in and taking classes in multiple school districts to receive cooperative and individualized educational services (Part B).

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands student access via interdistrict enrollment and enhances educational opportunities per bill title/summary, aligning with support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Choice Special Education

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4081: Relates to instruction in food, agriculture and nutrition in elementary and high school

Relates to instruction in food, agriculture and nutrition in elementary and high school; contents may be varied to meet the needs of particular school districts; need not be uniform throughout the state; school districts shall utilize either the curriculum for health education instruction regarding food, agriculture and nutrition prescribed by the commissioner or a course approved by the commissioner in accordance with criteria established by the commissioner.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates inclusion of food/agriculture/nutrition curriculum in schools, advancing educational content through required instruction without funding specifics.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Student Health

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4978: Relates to media literacy education

Enacts the "media literacy act"; requires teachers and library media specialists to complete professional development related to media literacy education; requires a school library media specialist in each elementary, intermediate, middle, junior high and senior high school; directs the commissioner of education to appoint a media literacy advisory committee to study the teaching of media literacy; creates a media literacy advisory committee to annually review policy and procedures on media literacy.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates media literacy professional development for educators and requires library media specialists, advancing curriculum standards in education.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates media literacy education to enhance digital literacy and critical evaluation of online content, supporting responsible technology use and digital rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Libraries

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3513: Requires the commissioner of education to develop guidelines to encourage participation in apprenticeships

Requires the commissioner of education to develop guidelines to encourage those in high school to participate in apprenticeships and to raise awareness in apprenticeship opportunities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEncourages high school apprenticeship participation and raises awareness of career pathways, expanding educational access beyond traditional K-12 models.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education K-12 Education

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1312: Requires licensed or certified school social workers in each elementary, intermediate, middle, junior high and senior high school

Requires at least one full-time licensed or certified social worker to be employed in each elementary, intermediate, middle, junior high school and senior high school throughout the state.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates licensed social workers in all K-12 schools, enhancing student support services and mental health resources per bill summary.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates school social workers for student mental health services, directly advancing mental health support in schools per healthcare topic definition.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Safety Student Health

Track

died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 379: Relates to establishing a high school robotics grant program

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes grant program funding robotics competitions in high schools, enhancing STEM student programs and providing direct educational support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

Track