Provides that each public elementary and secondary school building shall be equipped with at least one panic alarm for use in a school security emergency including, but not limited to, a non-fire evacuation, lockdown, or active shooter situation; defines terms; makes related provisions.
Requires school districts to provide instructional programming and services in reading and literacy which are evidence based and aligned with state standards; requires teachers in grades pre-K through five to attend professional development courses in reading education.
Requires that all holders of a professional certificate in the classroom teaching service, holders of a level III teaching assistant certificate and holders of a professional certificate in the educational leadership service receive a minimum of three hours of training in mental health per year.
Allocates the Amistad commission to work alongside the department of education and on behalf of students in the state; repeals certain provisions relating to the Amistad commission; requires schools in the state to provide curriculum relating to Black history, slavery, and race.
Requires training for teachers, administrators and instructors in the area of mental health response; requires office of mental health to assist in development of curriculum for training.
Establishes family literacy programs for economically disadvantaged families living in poverty areas or areas with low-performing public schools; provides for competitive matching grants to establish a comprehensive program; requires commissioner of education to submit an annual report to the governor and legislature.
Enacts the "pupil privacy act" which requires schools to notify the parents or legal guardians of every student when a student protected information survey will be administered and provide such parent or legal guardian the opportunity to opt their child out of taking such survey.
Grants school districts the ability to implement telehealth school-based mental health clinics; establishes the student mental telehealth reimbursement fund; relates to funding the student mental telehealth reimbursement fund.
Authorizes the Carmel Central School District to offer a separate referendum on the question of term limits for members of the Carmel Central School District board of education.
Allows a person with a master's of social work degree who meets certain requirements to file to be licensed within one year after the effective date of this act.