What's happening
This bill amends the education law to allow pre-kindergarten providers to have their awarded slots renewed regardless of previous utilization, as long as quality and requirements are met.
Why it matters
Expands access for families. By allowing pre-kindergarten slots to be renewed for providers regardless of past usage, this bill could help maintain or increase the availability of pre-K seats in communities, even if enrollment was previously low, making it easier for families to find placements in the future.
Reduces pressure on providers. Providers are no longer penalized for underutilization in previous years, which encourages stability and long-term planning for pre-K programs, especially in areas where enrollment can fluctuate due to changing population or awareness.
Focuses on quality over quantity. The renewed emphasis on meeting quality standards and requirements—rather than just filling seats—shifts the priority toward educational outcomes and program integrity, potentially raising the standard of early childhood education.
Supports rural and underserved areas. This change particularly benefits providers in areas with variable or low populations, who might otherwise lose slots due to factors beyond their control, helping to preserve early education infrastructure statewide.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Expand Universal Pre-K Access
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3062
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 26, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. RYAN -- read once and referred to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to the statewide universal full-day pre-kindergarten program
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (d) of subdivision 3 of section 3602-ee of the education law, as added by section 1 of part CC of chapter 56 of the laws of 2014, is amended to read as follows:
(d) Providers awarded slots under this section [that they actually utilized] would continue to have such slots renewed in subsequent years provided the program meets quality standards and all applicable requirements.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall be deemed to have been in full force and effect on and after the effective date of section 1 of part CC of chapter 56 of the laws of 2014.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08167-01-7
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.