Requires school districts to establish programs for gifted pupils

BILL NUMBER:A10970

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to requiring school districts to establish programs for gifted pupils

Purpose or general idea of bill

The purpose of this legislation is to add a gifted program into every school district in the state.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1: A new section 4454 is added to the education law.

Section 2: Effective date.

Justification

This legislation would require every school district in the State to establish a gifted and talented program for pupils who meet the criteria established in the Education Law. The legislation also has school districts establish an ongoing identification process for gifted students starting in kindergarten and continuing until the twelfth grade.

New York State is one of only eight states that fail to mandate Gifted Education and also fail to provide dedicated funding for Gifted Education. Currently, there is an inequity of sufficient appropriate educational opportunities for gifted students across the state- some urban and wealthy suburban districts provide sufficient appropriate education to gifted students, however many rural and urban districts fail to provide these opportunities

By offering gifted and talented students an appropriate education, New York State makes it self more attractive for new high technology industries looking for a highly educated work force.

Prior legislative history

This is new legislation.

Fiscal implications

While many school districts in the state current have a gifted and talented program, there are many who don't. The fiscal implications are yet to be determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.