Education

passed · New York · Senate Jun 12, 2025

R 1248: Establishes a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for a certain appropriation for the 2025-2026 state fiscal year for additional grants in aid for education

Senate Resolution 1248 establishes the allocation plan for $1.5 million in state funds for education and arts grants during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It requires an itemized list of grantees (including school districts, public libraries, colleges, and non-profits) and specific amounts to be approved by the Senate's temporary president and budget director, then passed by a majority vote in the Senate. The resolution specifies grants such as $1 million each for four school districts (e.g., Hendrick Hudson, New Rochelle), $65,000 for the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center, and smaller amounts for organizations like the Dominican Cultural Association of Yonkers ($30,000). This resolution serves as the binding mechanism for distributing the funds, ensuring transparency and legislative oversight before expenditures.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $1.5M in state funds for education grants to school districts, libraries, and colleges, explicitly advancing funding for K-12 and higher education institutions.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7979: Requires rip current, rip tide and undertow curriculum or instruction

Enacts "Alexandra's law" to require school districts and charter schools to include in the curriculum or instruction teaching students how to recognize and react to rip currents, rip tides and undertows.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates safety curriculum inclusion, enhancing student safety education within K-12 curriculum, aligning with educational protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 9, 2026

S 4551: Relates to degree-granting programs offered by SUNY's office of higher education in prison

Creates within SUNY an office of higher education in prison to coordinate access to higher education for individuals during and after incarceration; directs such office to create a plan by 1/1/2029 to establish a degree-granting program in every viable correctional facility in the state; directs such office to enroll at least 2,000 students in degree-granting programs as soon as practicable; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates prison higher education programs to reduce recidivism through rehabilitation, directly advancing criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates SUNY office to expand higher education access for incarcerated individuals, mandating degree programs in correctional facilities and 2,000+ student enrollment, directly advancing educational access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Higher Education

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1487: Relates to vision screening examinations for students

Requires vision screening examinations for students using examination devices and testing methods, including, but not limited to, the Snellen Eye Test Chart and automated vision screening devices.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates vision screenings for students, supporting early detection of vision issues that impact learning access and educational outcomes in K-12 settings.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates school vision screenings, a preventive healthcare service, improving early detection and access to vision care for students.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1517: Relates to hunting, fishing and outdoor education in high school physical education courses

S 1517 requires New York high schools to offer optional hunting, fishing, and outdoor education as a component of physical education courses when requested by 10 or more enrolled students. The bill mandates that schools provide this instruction consistent with state license applicant curriculum, covering topics like hunting/fishing seasons, species regulations, license requirements, recreational opportunities, and the historical role of these activities in the state. It directs the education and environmental conservation departments to jointly develop the required curriculum. The law directly affects public secondary schools and students in grades 9-12 who seek this educational component.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates optional hunting/fishing curriculum in PE, enhancing student program options within education framework85% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3270: Relates to the creation of an adult high school workforce development demonstration project

Creates an adult high school workforce development demonstration project in Rochester; defines "adult high school workforce development demonstration project" or "program" to mean a private or independent high school registered by the department which provides adult learners with an appropriate academic environment, career credentialing programs and access to wraparound services provided by the operator or any entity partnered which such operator to address barriers to enable adult learners to pursue and obtain, subject to satisfactory completion of the requirements set forth within this article, a high school diploma.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates adult high school workforce program expanding access to career training and wraparound services for adult learners, advancing educational access as defined in topic description.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates workforce development program to enhance adult employment through career credentialing and wraparound services85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Workforce Development

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4114: Establishes the Charles L. Reason fellowship

This bill establishes the Charles L. Reason fellowship to increase faculty diversity in New York's higher education system. It provides grants to New York colleges and universities (or partnerships between them) to support underrepresented minority students pursuing undergraduate degrees with the goal of becoming future faculty. The program covers academic expenses like tutoring and mentorship for eligible students, and offers loan forgiveness of up to $40,000 lifetime for those who complete the fellowship, earn a bachelor's degree, and enroll in a PhD or similar terminal degree program. Eligibility requires being a New York resident or meeting specific residency/immigration criteria, with priority for students demonstrating potential to teach at the college level.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides grants and loan forgiveness to support underrepresented minority students pursuing faculty careers in higher education, directly advancing faculty diversity and educational access in higher ed.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5333: Requires all school districts to purchase and provide assistive technology devices when an item is put on a student's individualized education program

Requires all school districts to purchase and provide assistive technology devices no later than two months after an item is put on a student's individualized education program.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates school districts to provide required assistive tech for IEP students, enhancing accessibility and support for special education needs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3709: Modifies the criteria for granting tuition assistance program awards

This bill modifies New York's tuition assistance program by updating income eligibility thresholds and award amounts. It sets new income ranges for recipients: starting in 2023-2024, applicants must earn $18,000-$100,000 annually, increasing to $18,000-$125,000 by 2026-2027. Award amounts also increase incrementally, from $5,165 (2014-2015) to $6,470 (2026-2027), while maintaining a minimum tuition requirement of $200 per year. The changes directly affect undergraduate and graduate students seeking state tuition aid at approved New York institutions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state funding for tuition assistance by raising award amounts and expanding income eligibility ranges, directly advancing public education budget allocation.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases tuition assistance award amounts and expands income eligibility thresholds ($18k-$125k by 2026), directly enhancing financial access to higher education for students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 19, 2026

A 8708: Relates to prior year state aid adjustments

Requires any state aid owed to a school district from a prior year adjustment be paid as part of the first state aid payment of the following school year following the notification of such payments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnsures timely state aid payments to school districts for prior-year adjustments, promoting fiscal responsibility in budget execution and preventing funding delays for essential education programs.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnsures timely payment of existing state aid to school districts, preventing funding delays that could disrupt K-12 operations.85% confidence

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