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History
- Print number 1374a
- Amend and recommit to education
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S1374A
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to the duties of the commissioner of education with regard to early childhood education
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill directs the commissioner to review and make recommendations about the education and development of children from birth through five years of age at all settings which care for such children.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 directs the commissioner to review and make recommendations concerning the education and development of children from birth through five years of age. The commissioner will consult with the department of health, the office of children and family service, the office of temporary and disability assistance and the early childhood advisory council appointed pursuant to the federal Head Start Reauthorization Act. The department will report its findings, conclusion and recommendations to the governor and the legislature.
Section 2 makes this act effective immediately.
Justification
Research has well documented the importance of high quality early education and care to elementary and secondary education. Children who are involved in education at day care, pre-kindergarten programs and other settings which care for children from birth through five years of age are better prepared for school. They read better, speak better, behave better and, in general, do better in school. In New York State, however, multiple agencies, numerous providers and separate funding streams complicate the delivery of and access to programs and services for the education and development of our youngest citizens. For example, the responsibility for education, development and care of children from birth to five years of age rests with public and non-public schools, prekindergarten programs, day care centers and family day care, early intervention programs and special education programs.
New York must and can do better by our children. This bill therefore calls on the State Education Department where Regents have established an Early Childhood Workgroup to review, in consultation with the Office of Children and Family Services, the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and the Department of Health, state laws and regulations, program and services in the several agencies now responsible for education and care of young children and make recommendations to establish a seamless and comprehensive set of educational systems and supports for children from birth to age five. This will serve children well. It will also serve the state; with new emphasis on early childhood education, the federal government is developing new funding. In order to compete for these funds, New York will need to address how it administers, funds and delivers programs and services to the youngest children and their families. Other states including Massachusetts, Maryland, Georgia and Washington have already done so.
Prior legislative history
2009-2010: S.7553-A - Died in Committee 2011-2012: S.328- Died in Committee
Fiscal implications
None.
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.