What's happening
This bill allows the Buffalo school district to require four-year-olds to attend pre-kindergarten, with opt-outs for parents, non-public, and home-schooled children.
Why it matters
Expands Access to Early Education. By allowing the Buffalo school district to require pre-kindergarten for four-year-olds, the bill could increase early access to structured learning, which research shows can improve long-term academic and social outcomes.
Local Control and Flexibility. The legislation gives the Buffalo school board the authority to set attendance requirements for pre-K, reflecting local needs and priorities rather than a one-size-fits-all statewide mandate.
Parental and Alternative Education Rights Protected. The opt-out provisions ensure that parents retain the right to delay enrollment or choose non-public or home-schooling options, balancing expanded access with respect for family choice and educational diversity.
Potential for Narrowing Achievement Gaps. By targeting early intervention in a district with significant educational challenges, the bill aims to address disparities in school readiness, which could have lasting effects on closing achievement gaps within the community.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Buffalo Board of Education
The bill would authorize the board to require pre-kindergarten attendance for children who turn four on or before December 1.
Parents of four-year-olds in Buffalo
Parents could elect to delay enrolling their children in school until the following September rather than comply with a pre-kindergarten attendance requirement.
Buffalo families using non-public schools or home instruction
Children enrolled in non-public schools or home instruction would be exempt from the requirement.
Headline styles
Require Pre-K in Buffalo
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Enacting clause stricken
- Referred to education
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2713
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 23, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. PEOPLES-STOKES -- read once and referred to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to authorizing the board of education of the Buffalo school district to require pre-kindergarten for minors four years of age
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 3205 of the education law is amended by adding a new paragraph d to read as follows:
d. The board of education of the Buffalo school district is hereby authorized to require minors who are four years of age on or before December first to attend pre-kindergarten instruction. However the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to:
(i) Minors whose parents elect not to enroll their children in school until the following September.
(ii) Students enrolled in non-public schools or home instruction.
§ 2. This act shall take effect the first of July next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03608-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.