Education (Teachers)

signed · New York · Assembly Nov 21, 2025

A 5685: Relates to the New York state masters-in-education teacher incentive scholarship program

This bill establishes a scholarship program for New York State residents pursuing master's degrees in education. It directly affects students enrolled full-time in approved New York state education programs who earned their undergraduate degree in New York, maintained residency during that time, and commit to teaching full-time in New York public schools for five years. The program prioritizes applicants attending public colleges (as defined by law), with remaining scholarships available for private college students meeting the same eligibility criteria. Key requirements include academic excellence during undergraduate studies and signing a teaching commitment contract with the state. The scholarship covers costs for qualifying education degree programs leading to teaching careers in New York's public elementary or secondary schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes scholarship for teacher master's degrees with public school teaching commitment, directly funding educator development and retention in K-12 schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Teachers

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 334: Establishes the bilingual teachers of tomorrow teacher recruitment and retention program

Establishes the bilingual teachers of tomorrow teacher recruitment and retention program to attract and retain bilingual, certified teachers in schools with a bilingual teacher shortage; provides for grants and procedures for applying for such grants and eligibility requirements for fund distribution.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds via grants for teacher recruitment, directly funding public education through budgeted appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates grant program to fund bilingual teacher recruitment/retention, directly addressing teacher shortages through targeted funding and support for educators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4600: Relates to grants for facilities providing prekindergarten services

Bill A 4600 aims to strengthen the financial viability of facilities providing prekindergarten services in New York. Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, it modifies how state grants are calculated for school districts, providing funds based on the number of three- and four-year-old pupils served, with a base amount of $6,400 per full-day equivalent pupil, adjusted annually for inflation. The bill also increases the percentage of grant funds school districts must set aside for collaborative efforts with community-based organizations from 10% to 15%. Additionally, it mandates the establishment of equivalent standards for teacher-to-student ratios and class sizes across all prekindergarten programs, whether administered by school districts or partner agencies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state grants for pre-K facilities, increasing funding for early education through modified grant calculations and annual inflation adjustments.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill increases state grants for prekindergarten facilities based on pupil count with $6,400 base amount, adjusted for inflation, strengthening funding for early education access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Teachers

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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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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5777: Establishes the underrepresented teachers of tomorrow teacher recruitment and retention program

Establishes the underrepresented teachers of tomorrow teacher recruitment and retention program to attract and retain underrepresented certified teachers in schools which have an underrepresentation of underrepresented certified teachers; provides for grants and procedures for applying for such grants and eligibility requirements for fund distribution.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes grant program to recruit/retain underrepresented teachers, directly funding efforts to address teacher diversity and retention in schools with underrepresentation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1025: Relates to mandatory continuing education for teachers relating to immigrant focused trauma-informed practices

Requires continuing teacher and leader education to include courses, programs and activities related to immigrant focused trauma-informed practices to support students who are dealing with adverse childhood or adolescent experiences as a result of immigration status.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates trauma-informed teacher training for immigrant students, directly supporting educators and improving access to trauma-sensitive education for affected students.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRequires teacher training on immigrant-focused trauma-informed practices to support students affected by immigration status, providing immigrant services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2196: Creates city university of New York center for excellence in urban education to enhance the quality of teaching in public schools in N.Y. city

Creates city university of New York center for excellence in urban education to enhance the quality of teaching in public schools in NYC; establishes the regents public school teacher loan forgiveness program to allocate awards annually to teachers who agree to teach public school in an area of New York state designated by the board of regents as having a shortage of public school teachers.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates NYC center for urban education excellence and teacher loan forgiveness program to enhance teaching quality and address teacher shortages in public schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Teachers

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3969: Relates to mandatory continuing education for teachers relating to mental health issues

This bill requires New York teachers to complete mandatory continuing education focused on mental health. Specifically, it mandates that during each five-year teacher registration period, educators must complete at least two sessions (out of a total 100 required hours) covering mental health topics like identifying early signs of mental illness, behavioral health disorders, eating disorders, crisis de-escalation, and evidence-based programs such as Mental Health First Aid. The training must be developed by the education and health departments and integrated into existing teacher certification requirements. It directly affects all K-12 teachers seeking or renewing their teaching licenses in New York State.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates teacher mental health training to enhance educator preparedness and student support, directly aligning with teacher support indicators.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates teacher mental health training including early identification and crisis response, directly advancing mental health services in educational settings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Teachers Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5608: Establishes a New York state English as a new language teaching assistance program

Establishes a New York state English as a new language teaching assistance program for certain undergraduate and/or graduate students in a program leading to a career as a teacher in primary or secondary education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes program to train ELL teachers, supporting educator workforce development in K-12 education through targeted teacher preparation assistance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3770: Creates city university of New York center for excellence in urban education to enhance the quality of teaching in public schools in N.Y. city

Creates the city university of New York center for excellence in urban education to enhance the quality of teaching in public schools in NYC; establishes the regents public school teacher loan forgiveness program to allocate awards annually to teachers who agree to teach public school in an area of New York state designated by the board of regents as having a shortage of public school teachers.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates CUNY center to enhance teaching quality and establishes teacher loan forgiveness program for shortage areas, directly supporting educators and improving public school education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Teachers

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