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.
Provides that state mandates shall not be implemented in school districts after such district has passed a budget; provides that any such mandates shall be implemented in the following fiscal year.
Directs the commissioner of education to provide for the proportionate availability of adequate school supplies for use by left-handed students where adequate supplies are available for use by right-handed students; applies to any school supplies and equipment purchased by the department or schools on or after the effective date of rules and regulations promulgated by the commissioner of education.
Requires the commissioner of education to promulgate regulations that provide for the immediate decertification of any teacher who is convicted of a felony under NY law or any offense under the laws of another jurisdiction that would be a felony under NY law.
Prohibits the appointment of paid employees of the city of Yonkers or any public benefit corporation thereof as members of the board of education of the city school district of such city; requires the appointment of members of such board to reflect the diversity of such city.
Enacts the student suicide prevention act; requires the governing board or body of every local educational agency serving students in grades seven to twelve, to adopt policies, procedures and guidelines on student suicide prevention, intervention and postvention for students in such grades.
Removes certain residential programs, residential facilities and child care institutions from the definition of the term "youth shelter" for purposes of the education of persons in youth shelters.
Allows schools to provide water safety instruction to students in grades kindergarten through twelve; allows for the commissioner of education to provide technical assistance to develop curricula for water safety instruction.
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.
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.
Relates to contracts regarding bus drivers and bus drivers' assistants; provides districts must abide by the terms within any collectively bargained agreements applicable to such drivers.
Establishes the New York state charter school commission to promote equity and diversity in educational leadership and prioritize the issuance of new charters to community-based organizations run by individuals from historically underrepresented communities.