Requires the regents to prescribe courses of instruction in state and local government in elementary and middle schools in the state; provides boards of education and trustees of the several cities and school districts of the state shall require instruction to be given in such courses by the teachers; requires similar instruction in private schools.
Provides for accountability in state assessments by creating a regents review board to audit assessments used to determine grade promotion, graduation and adequate yearly progress by requiring a written report, implementation of an auditing and review of pilot and/or field testing of the standardized tests used to ensure validity, reliability, alignment to standards and appropriateness of use.
Relates to the creation of a school-based teen dating violence prevention program designed to be incorporated into a school district's existing health curriculum to prevent and reduce the incidence and prevalence of teen dating violence.
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.
Requires public schools in any city with a population over one million that have at least 25% of students practicing a religious faith with specific dietary restrictions to offer food options which meet such dietary restrictions.
Requires that climate change and sustainability education be taught in elementary and high schools to educate pupils about how human activities cause climate change, the effects of climate change, the dangers associated with climate change and preventative measures that can be taken to alleviate the impacts of climate change.
Requires school districts to screen for gifted and talented students; provides the parents or guardians of such students the option to opt out of such screening.
Authorizes and directs the commissioner of education to conduct a study on the number of children who are caregivers and how being a caregiver impacts their education.
Allows the Yonkers city school district to become an independent school district; establishes members of the board of education of the city school district of the city of Yonkers shall be elected; establishes powers of superintendent and board of education of the city of Yonkers.