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S554Senate2015-2016 SessionSame asA329

Directs the commissioner of education to establish an incentive program for school districts wishing to implement programs of foreign language in the elementary schools; appropriation

Sponsor Kevin S. ParkerSD-21Affects Finance
Status
In Senate Committee
Finance
Impact
Pending
Passage
Pending

Bill progress

Step 2 of 7

In committee · Finance

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Who cares

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Sponsors

Primary sponsor
Kevin S. Parker

Senator · Senate District 21

No co-sponsors yet.

History

  1. Referred to finance
  2. Referred to finance

Companion bill

Full text

The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.

Sponsor's memo

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to directing the commissioner of education to establish an incentive program for school districts wishing to implement programs of foreign language in the elementary schools and directing the commissioner of education to establish an incentive program for college students wishing to become foreign language teachers; and making an appropriation therefor

Purpose

This bill would accomplish two purposes. First, a pilot program would be established in five high needs districts ($200,000 each) to expand foreign language education programs at the elementary level. In addition, the bill provides for 100 awards of up to $10,000 each for students who are working towards certification in foreign languages education, to cover the costs of tuition and materials for their education.

Summary of provisions

Adds a new section 817 to the education law; makes appropriations thereof.

Justification

Studies have shown that young children have the best ability to adapt to new languages. As we grow older, even by the time we reach high school, the language patterns in our brains are much more established, making it difficult to learn new languages. In these times of increasing globalization, it is becoming imperative that New York's workforce be able to cope with communications around the world. For these reasons, foreign language education start at a much earlier time than is currently common in public schools in our state, so that all students are able to develop proficiencies in one or more languages other than English (LOTE), and be better prepared to enter into the global workforce upon completion of their education. By focusing the pilot program on five high needs districts, this bill ensures additional assistance to schools that are already in great need. Moreover, expanding these programs will require new teachers. By offering a tuition incentive to would-be foreign language teachers, New York can ensure that the necessary workforce infrastructure is available to enact this new program.

Legislative history

2014: S.5192(Parker)-Finance 2012: A06232(Kavanagh)- Education 2011: A06232(Kavanagh)- Education 2010: A00505(Kavanagh)- Education 2009: A00505(Kavanagh) - Education

Fiscal impact on the state

This bill would appropriate $2,000,000, of which $1,000,000 would be allocated to each incentive program.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the first of September next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.

Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.