Education

in committee · New York · Assembly May 20, 2026

A 1745: Provides for licensure of school psychology practitioners

Provides for the licensure of school psychology practitioners; authorizes the use of the title "licensed school psychology practitioner" to licensed or exempt individuals; defines practice of licensed school psychology practitioners; sets forth requirements for professional licensure (including educational attainment, experience, exam and fee); provides for issuance of limited permits under specified circumstances; identifies exempt persons; establishes mandatory continuing education requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes licensure standards for school psychologists, ensuring qualified practitioners in K-12 settings to support student services.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1146: Establishes a student loan borrower bill of rights

Establishes the student loan borrower bill of rights to protect borrowers and ensure that student loan servicers act more as loan counselors than debt collectors.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProtects student loan borrowers, enhancing higher education access by preventing predatory debt collection practices.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5593: Provides a $500,000 supplemental valuation impact grant to the West Valley central school district during the 2024-2025 school year

This bill allocates a $500,000 supplemental grant directly to West Valley Central School District for the 2024-2025 school year. The funding addresses the district's financial impact from having over 83% of its real property classified as tax-exempt, which reduces taxable property revenue. The grant is paid per the standard schedule in Education Law section 3641, overriding any conflicting laws. This is a targeted financial assistance measure for a specific district facing revenue challenges due to property valuation changes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides $500k grant to offset tax-exempt property revenue loss, directly strengthening school district budget stability due to fiscal impact from tax structure.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $500,000 supplemental grant to address tax-exempt property revenue shortfall, directly funding a school district's financial stability per Education Law.95% confidence

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5547: Authorizes school districts to establish an extraordinary needs reserve fund for the expenses of providing special education

Bill A 5547 authorizes school districts to establish a new type of financial reserve fund. This fund is specifically designated to cover unanticipated costs associated with providing special education services to students throughout the fiscal year. It allows districts to set aside money to manage unexpected expenses related to special education instruction.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAuthorizes school districts to establish a reserve fund specifically for unanticipated special education expenses, enhancing funding stability for critical student services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8488: Relates to permitting lifeguard certification training courses to satisfy required physical education credits

This bill (S 8488) allows students in New York schools to earn physical education (PE) credits by completing state-approved lifeguard certification training courses. It directs the Board of Regents to create rules enabling schools to count such training toward required PE credits. The policy directly affects students in public schools who complete certified lifeguard programs, replacing traditional PE instruction for credit purposes. The change applies only to courses meeting New York State’s lifeguard training standards.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands curriculum options by allowing lifeguard training to fulfill PE credits, increasing student access to alternative physical education pathways.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2631: Requires public elementary schools to start no earlier than eight a.m. and public secondary schools to start no earlier than eight thirty a.m.

This bill requires all public elementary schools in the state to start classes no earlier than 8:00 a.m. and public secondary schools (high schools) no earlier than 8:30 a.m. It directly affects public schools by mandating these start times for all academic years beginning after the bill takes effect. The key mechanism links school funding to compliance: schools must report in their annual reports that they met the start time requirements to receive state apportionments. The law applies immediately to all affected schools, with no exceptions for earlier start times.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates later school start times with funding tied to compliance, promoting student health and learning outcomes per educational best practices.92% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Transportation Student Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9049: Relates to the regional cost index for purposes of the calculation of total foundation aid

Relates to the regional cost index for purposes of the calculation of total foundation aid; updates the regional cost index to better reflect the differences in cost of living across the state.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationUpdates regional cost index for foundation aid calculation, ensuring funding better reflects cost of living differences to support equitable school funding distribution.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 5154: Imposes a special tax on artwork, antique furniture, and antique jewelry sold at auction and establishes the art education fund

Imposes a special tax of three-tenths of one percent or one dollar, whichever is greater, on the receipts from the sale of art, antique furniture or antique jewelry at auction; establishes the art education fund to provide assistance for art education and art supplies at the kindergarten through twelfth grade levels at Title I public schools.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes targeted tax to fund art education in public schools, directly advancing fiscal support for educational programs through dedicated revenue.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes art education fund using auction tax revenue to provide art supplies and programs in K-12 Title I schools, directly funding educational resources for underserved schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9118: Creates an electric school bus infrastructure investment pilot program; appropriation

This bill creates a pilot program to help school districts transition to electric school buses by funding essential charging infrastructure. It allocates $20 million from the state general fund and $20 million from New York's clean energy fund (NYSERDA) to provide competitive annual grants for two school districts per economic development region. Grants cover planning and building clean energy micro-grids, including engineering and land use studies, to support reliable charging systems. The program will run from April 2026 through April 2031, with rules to be established by June 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $40M from state funds for electric bus infrastructure, advancing public service funding through budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds electric bus infrastructure for school districts, improving school transportation infrastructure and supporting educational access through clean energy initiatives.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds electric school bus infrastructure via clean energy fund (NYSERDA), promoting renewable energy adoption and reducing fossil fuel dependence through dedicated grant program.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds electric school bus infrastructure via clean energy grants, reducing emissions and promoting renewable energy use.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds electric school bus charging infrastructure through $40M allocation, directly advancing sustainable transportation infrastructure for public transit vehicles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation Electric Vehicles Renewable Energy Electric Vehicles Public Transit

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7141: Relates to the enrollment of students at charter schools, the suspension of students at charter schools and the administration of charter schools

This bill updates New York's charter school regulations to strengthen oversight and student protections. It requires charter schools to follow clearer discipline procedures (including due process for suspensions exceeding five days), maintain enrollment/suspension rates comparable to district schools, and meet specific student achievement goals to renew their charter. The bill also mandates annual audits, detailed facility reporting, and ensures students can transfer to public schools without pressure. These changes directly affect all New York charter schools and their enrolled students, particularly regarding student discipline, accountability, and operational transparency.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens charter school oversight, mandates due process for suspensions, sets achievement goals, and ensures student transfer access, advancing student protections and accountability in K-12 education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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