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History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Enacts the "Place A Child in Every School Seat Act of 2009" for the purposes of awareness of and incentives to improve school attendance
In Senate Committee · Education · Sponsor Suzi Oppenheimer
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:A291
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to enact- ing the "Place a Child in Every School Seat Act of 2009"
Purpose or general idea of bill
To establish a public awareness and education campaign on the importance of earning a high school degree, and create an incentive program to improve school attendance by offering awards based on best overall attendance and/or most improved attendance, under the direction of the Education Department with the advice and consent of the Board of Regents.
Summary of specific provisions
Adds a new section 3205-a to the education law to provide for a public awareness and education campaign on the importance of earning a high school degree, and to create an incentive program to improve school attendance statewide.
Justification
Studies have demonstrated a clear link between absenteeism in school and juvenile delinquency. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, one study of high school dropouts showed that 80 percent had been chronically absent from school in the previous school year. There are widespread public benefits to improving school attendance, including reduced crime, higher earning potential by high school gradu- ates, and greater civic engagement. Several states have adopted innova- tive programs to improve school attendance, including pizza parties, ice cream socials, and even financial rewards. New York should not "bribe" its students to attend school, but we should provide additional moti- vation in an appropriate manner.
This bill directs the State Education Department to establish a public awareness and education campaign on the importance of earning a high school degree, and to create an incentive program to improve school attendance by offering awards based on best overall attendance and/or most improved attendance. The nature of these incentives would be decided by the Department with the advice and consent of the Board of Regents and should appeal to school children in all parts of the state and in all income brackets.
Prior legislative history
A.253 of 2007-2008.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.