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History
- Referred to education
- Committee discharged and committed to education
- Referred to finance
Companion bill
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Directs the commissioner of education to establish an incentive program for school districts wishing to implement programs of foreign language in the elementary school; appropriation
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Brian Kavanagh
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to directing the commissioner of education to establish an incentive program for school districts wishing to implement programs of foreign language in the elementary schools and directing the commissioner of education to establish an incentive program for college students wishing to become foreign language teachers; and making an appropriation therefor
Purpose
This bill would accomplish two purposes. First, a pilot program would be established in five high needs districts ($200,000 each) to expand foreign language education programs at the elementary level. In addition, the bill provides for 100 awards of up to $10,000 each for students who are working towards certification in foreign languages education, to cover the costs of tuition and materials for their education.
Summary of provisions
Adds a new section 815 to the education law; makes appropriations thereof.
Justification
Studies have shown that young children have the best ability to adapt to new languages, as they are still harnessing the ski11s of their main language. As we grow older, even by the time we reach high school, the language patterns in our brains are much more established, making it difficult to learn new languages. Coupled with that, in these times of increasing globalization, it is becoming imperative that New York's workforce be able to cope with communications around the world. These two issues together require that foreign language education start at a much earlier time, so that all students are able to develop proficiencies in one or more languages other than English (LOTE), and be better prepared to enter into the global workforce upon completion of their education. In addition, expanding these programs will require new teachers. By offering a tuition incentive to would-be foreign language teachers, New York can ensure that the necessary workforce infrastructure is available to enact this new program. By focusing the pilot program on five high needs districts, this bill ensures additional assistance to schools that are already in great need.
Legislative history
01/09/08 Referred to Finance
Fiscal implications
This bill would appropriate $2,000,000, with $1,000,000 going toward each incentive program.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the first of September next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.