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Who cares
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Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Substituted by A9861
- Ordered to third reading cal.1531
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Authorizes the board of education of the city school district of the city of New York to require minors who are five years old to attend kindergarten
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Catherine Nolan
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S7015
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to authorizing the board of education of the city school district of the city of New York to require minors who are five years old to attend kindergarten instruction
Purpose
The bill allows the school district of the City of New York to require minors who are five years old on or before December 1st to attend kindergarten.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends Education Law § 3205 to authorize the school district of the city of New York to require children five years of age to attend kindergarten.
Section 2 sets forth the effective date.
Justification
Early childhood education has a lasting impact on children's academic and social outcomes. Research has shown that children who receive early educational interventions are more likely to graduate from high school, find a job, and stay out of jail. Early childhood education also makes economic sense: the return on investment for early education programs is 12%.
Currently, in New York State, kindergarten is not mandatory. In the past five years, there are, on average, 7% more children who attend first grade than kindergarten at New York City public schools. This means that annually, approximately 2500 children are not attending kindergarten and getting the early start on education that is so critical in New York City. Districts with the largest difference in enrollment tend to be mostly Black and Latino and have over 75% of students eligible for free and reduced lunch; many have high percentages of English language lear- ners. Community based organizations report that some of the City's most vulnerable children - including English language learners, children with special needs, and foster children - are sometimes told that five-year- olds are not required to go to school and are turned away. This indi- cates that some of the city's neediest children may not be getting the early start they need for success.
Legislative history
This is a new bill.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on July 1 next succeeding the date on which it shall become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.