Provides for the inclusion of one ex officio non-voting student member to the board of regents

4 Co-sponsors

• Ginny Fields
• Nelson Castro
• Ellen C. Jaffee
• Marcus Molinaro

5 Multi-sponsors

• Earlene Hooper
• Sam Hoyt
• Grace Meng
• Audrey Pheffer
• David Townsend

BILL NUMBER:A8928

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to including a high school member on the board of regents

Purpose or general idea of bill

This bill would add a public high school junior or senior as a non-voting representative on the board of regents for a term of one year.

Summary of specific provisions

This bill would add a new subdivision, 1-a to section 202 of the education law.

This subdivision stipulates that there shall be one non-voting ex officio member of the board of regents who is a public high school junior or senior. This member will be appointed by the governor from a list of three candidates recommended by the state association of student councils, subject to the conformation by the majority of the Board of Regents. The term shall be for one year and begin on July first preceding the school year for that member, and continue until June thirtieth of the following year. A vacancy in such office shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the remainder of the term.

Justification

Engaging students in formal decision making and policy making is an effective strategy for students to gain knowledge and skills for active, principled citizenship. Furthermore, there are 15 states which already have some sort of student representation on their state education governing boards. This bill would allow students in New York's public schools to have a voice within the body which makes decisions regarding their education.

Prior legislative history

New Bill

Fiscal implications

None

Effective date

This.act shall take effect immediately.