Relates to the school governance of the New York city school system and establishes various commissions and the parent and student training center; appropriation

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to the governance of the city school system for the city of New York; creating a temporary commission on public safety in the city school district of the city of New York; and making an appropriation therefor

Purpose or general idea of the bill

To improve the law extending the recently expired law pertaining to governance of the New York City school district.

Summary of specific provisions

Sections one and two: Creates a City-wide Council on the Arts to focus on arts education in the school district with thirteen voting members and one non-voting member.

Section three: Establishes a two-term limit for Community Education Council member.

Section four: Create a Temporary Commission on School Safety. The commission will examine, evaluate and make recommendations concerning the impact that the current Chancellor's regulations and the New York police department have on student safety, welfare and achievement.

Section five: Establishes a parent and student training center under the Metropolitan Center for Urban Education at New York University. The Center will be tasked with the conducting outreach, recruitment, training and support programs for parents and students in order to increase their capacity to participate with local, district and city-wide school governance. The Center will also be authorized to implement programs to enhance parents and students ability to support students educational success and assist parents and students in interacting with city school district personnel and understand the function, structure and operation of the city of New York department of education. The Center will also work with the Department of Education to continue implementation of student success centers as pilot projects designed to increase the rate of college enrollment and train students to become youth leaders.

Section six: Requires the New York City to provide $3.2 million over two years to the Center to implement the parent program.

Section seven: Establishes an effective date the same as the original chapter this legislation is amending.

Prior legislative history

This is a new bill.

Justification

The New York City school governance law enacted in 2002 has lead to improved student outcomes and a greater ability for a Mayor and Chancellor to make changes within the Department of Education's bureaucracy. The major drawbacks of the law as implemented were a reduced ability of community members to influence education policies and increased public concern over district contract procurement policies. While Senate bill S.5887 enhanced opportunities for community input and increases oversight of contracting practices, this chapter amendment takes the additional steps of providing an avenue for parents to receive assistance in navigating the school system and ensuring that students receive a well rounded education by maintaining a focus on student enrichment through arts education.

Fiscal impact

The bill requires New York City to provide $3.2 million over two years to the Metropolitan Center for Urban Education at New York University.

Effective date

Immediately and will have been considered to be in effect on the same date as the chapter it is amending.