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S708Senate2015-2016 SessionSame asA2897

Directs the commissioner of education to conduct an audit and report on statewide compliance with state instructional regulations for arts education

Sponsor José M. SerranoSD-29+4 co-sponsorsAffects Education
Status
In Senate Committee
Education
Impact
Pending
Passage
Pending

Bill progress

Step 2 of 7

In committee · Education

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Who cares

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Sponsors

Primary sponsor
José M. Serrano

Senator · Senate District 29

History

  1. Print number 708a
  2. Amend and recommit to education
  3. Referred to education
  4. Referred to education

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 conduct an audit and report on statewide compliance with state instructional regulations for arts education and to establish a remediation process for schools found to be out of compliance

Purpose or general idea of the bill

Directs the commissioner of education to conduct an audit and report on statewide compliance with state instructional regulations for arts education.

Summary of provisions

The commissioner of the State Education Department is required to conduct a statewide audit of compliance for arts instruction.

Justification

According to Part 100 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, students are to receive instruction designed to facilitate the attainment of the state elementary learning standards in the arts, including dance, music, theater and visual arts. The instructional requirements track to the percentage of weekly school time allocated to the arts at the elementary level, units of study at the intermediate and commencement levels, and availability of three or five-unit sequences in the arts at the commencement level. Furthermore, it is recommended that instruction be provided by a licensed arts teacher.

As there is no comprehensive accounting of arts instruction provided by the state's public schools, it is not clear if schools and districts are in compliance with the state regulations. In New York City, where reporting on arts education offerings began after the 2006-2007 school year, data provided by the New York City Department of Education for the 2007-2008 school year revealed that only 8% of elementary schools were in a position to provide the minimum that is required by the State of New York by offering all four art forms in each grade. Additionally, less than half of New York City middle schools are ensuring that all students are completing the state requirements. This bill is an important step towards ensuring that the arts are a significant part of our youth's learning experience.

Legislative history

2013-2014: S.1029A - Referred to Education 2011-2012: S.3802 - Referred to Education 2009-2010: S.5878 - Referred to Rules

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

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.