Relates to instruction in the humane treatment of animals and the requirement of training in the humane treatment of animals for the certification of teachers

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to classroom instruction in the humane treatment of animals and the requirement of training in the humane treatment of animals for the certification or licensing of classroom teachers, teaching assistants, pupil personnel service professionals, school administrators or supervisors or superintendents of schools

Purpose

The primary purpose of this bill is to strengthen compliance with the humane education mandate in Section 809 of the NYS Education Law, by allowing the Commissioner to provide grants to teachers for expenses incurred in complying with the mandate, and to increase teacher training in humane education instruction.

Summary of provisions

Section 1: Amends Section 809 of the NYS Education Law requiring the Commissioner to notify every school district of the humane education mandate.

Section 2: Authorizes the Commissioner to appropriate grants to teachers for training, workshops, videos, and other resources used for humane education instruction.

Section 3: Requires that all persons applying for a teaching certificate or license complete two hours of course work or training in humane education instruction. The course work or training can be provided by educational institutions, school districts, boards of cooperative educational services, humane education organizations or animal welfare organizations.

Justification

There is a growing movement among educators and administrators to include character and humane education in their school curriculum as a way to teach students tolerance, compassion and responsibility, and to help them develop critical thinking and decision-making skills. As a result, New York State created a mandate in which publicly-funded elementary schools provide instruction on the humane treatment and protection of animals. However, many schools fail to follow this requirement, even though noncompliance technically prohibits school districts from receiving any public school money. This legislation addresses the matter in two ways; by requiring the State to notify school districts of the mandate, and by providing for teacher training on the humane treatment of animals. Similar humane education legislation has already been passed in Illinois, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oregon and Pennsylvania. The legislation calls for a memorandum issued by the NYS Education Department to all school districts in New York State notifying administrators of the statute and directs school districts to have their teachers act in accordance with this requirement. Moreover, the legislation provides for the training and instruction in the humane treatment of animals. The instruction for teachers, teaching assistants, administrators and other education professionals will produce higher student understanding of human rights, animal welfare, environmental protection, and other societal issues. Overall, instruction in the humane treatment of animals significantly benefits students. A recent study by Humane Education Advocates Reaching Teachers (HEART) showed a positive correlation between their in-class instructional program on humane arid character education and the increase in student knowledge of issues such as the condition of child factory workers, the needs of wild animals and the greenhouse effect. Students also demonstrated an increased concern for animals and the environment as well as an increased interest in joining a group to help animals or the environment.

Legislative history

S.7848 of 2008

Fiscal implications

Minimal.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.