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Includes the attacks on September 11, 2001 in courses of instruction in patriotism and citizenship
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Harvey Weisenberg
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S5883 REVISED 09/12/11
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to including the attacks on September 11, 2001 in courses of instruction in patriotism and citizenship
Purpose
To ensure that current and future generations of New York State school children are appropriately educated on the attacks of September 11, 2001.
Summary of provisions
Section one amends Education Law Section 801 adding the attacks on American soil on September 11, 2001 to the list of courses of instruction in patriotism, citizenship and human rights issues in New York State schools.
Section two sets the effective date.
Justification
On September 11, 2001, America suffered a terrorist attack on its own soil resulting in the loss of over 3,000 lives. The resulting devastation of the World Trade Center in downtown Manhattan, including the destruction of the Twin Towers, the attack on the Pentagon in Washington D.C. and the crash of United Airlines Flight 93 in Pennsylvania left an indelible mark on American and world society and history.
Despite the fact that this historically significant event occurred largely within our own State and its people sustained the greatest losses and sacrifice, many of which continue to this day, there is currently no requirement that this material be included in core curricula, and as a result York schools are required required to teach of it.
We have received complaints from frustrated educators expressing their deep disappointment with the education system in this respect and demanding a legislative solution. The lessons of September 11, 2001 must be required, and not merely suggested, learning in our schools.
To this end, the Social Studies Standards of the State Education Department's Global History and Geography Online Resource provides guidelines for inclusion of "turning point" lessons, which are defined as decisive moments or events marking unique or important historical changes. Although the events of September 11, 2001, the effects of which were felt far beyond the borders of our state and country, certainly meet these criteria, the failure to require that the events of September 11, 2001 be taught in New York State schools persist nonetheless.
This legislation would amend the Education Law to include the events of September 11, 2001 in the currently required courses of instruction in patriotism, citizenship and human rights issues. In so
doing, the legislation would give appropriate weight to the importance of this turning Point in history and ensure that current and future generations of New York students will be properly instructed by requiring that all schools dedicate appropriate time and resources to teaching the events of that day and their impact on our nation.
Legislative history
This is a new bill.
Fiscal implications
None to the state.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.