What's happening
This bill creates a task force to study incorporating universal design for learning principles into New York's education system.
Why it matters
Broad Stakeholder Involvement. The task force is composed of a wide range of educational stakeholders, including K-12 and postsecondary educators, disability and language learning experts, and representatives from both state and city agencies. This diversity aims to ensure that any recommendations reflect the needs of students with disabilities, English language learners, and general education populations.
Focus on Reducing Instructional Barriers. By studying universal design for learning (UDL), the task force will examine strategies to make learning more accessible and flexible for all students. This includes looking at how information is presented, how students show what they know, and how to keep students engaged, with the goal of improving achievement for students who often face barriers under traditional educational models.
Potential Impact on Curriculum and Assessment. The bill directs the task force to consider integrating UDL principles into curriculum development, textbook and technology selection, teacher training, and assessments at all educational levels. This could lead to significant changes in how teaching and learning are structured statewide, potentially affecting classroom practices, resource allocation, and professional development.
Recommendations May Influence Future Legislation. The task force’s findings and recommendations, due within a year, will inform policymakers about the feasibility and benefits of adopting UDL statewide. This could pave the way for future laws or policies that reshape how New York supports diverse learners and measures educational success.
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Study Universal Design in Schools
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- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5868
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 16, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. BENEDETTO -- read once and referred to the Committee on Education
AN ACT in relation to establishing the task force to explore the incorporation of the principles of universal design for learning into the education systems in the state; and providing for the repeal of such provision upon expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. There is hereby created a task force to explore the incorporation of the principles of universal design for learning into the education systems in New York.
§ 2. (a) The membership of the task force shall be as follows: one member of the senate, appointed by the temporary president of the senate; one member of the assembly, appointed by the speaker of the assembly; the commissioner of education, or the commissioner's designee; the chancellor of the state university system, or the chancellor's designee; the superintendent of the New York state school for the blind, or the superintendent's designee; the superintendent of the New York state school for the deaf, or the superintendent's designee; three representatives of the state education department from different divisions or bureaus, each appointed by the assistant or associate commissioner of the represented division or bureau, of whom: one representative shall have expertise in instruction of students with disabilities, and one representative shall have expertise in assessments and accountability; one board of cooperative educational services superintendent; one representative of the division of students with disabilities and English language learners of the New York city department of education; one member of the citywide council on special education of the New York city department of education; one member of the commissioner's advisory panel for special education services; three public school teachers who are general educators that teach in the state, one each
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09805-01-7
A. 5868 2
from an elementary, a middle, and a high school of whom: one shall be certified in special education, and one shall have experience with and be certified to instruct students with limited English proficiency; one certified pre-school teacher; one member of the state university of New York administration, appointed by the chancellor of the state university; and five members appointed by the governor, at least one of whom has expertise in universal design for learning.
(b) The governor shall designate the chair of the task force.
(c) Members of the task force shall not receive any compensation but shall be reimbursed for their actual, necessary expenditures.
(d) Members of the task force shall serve at the pleasure of the person who appointed them. Any vacancy on the task force shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
(e) The state education department shall provide staff for the task force.
§ 3. All departments or agencies of the state or subdivisions thereof, and local governments shall, at the request of the chair, provide the task force such facilities, assistance, and data as will enable the task force to carry out its powers and duties.
§ 4. The task force may meet and hold public hearings within the regions of the state, and shall have all the powers of an executive body pursuant to the executive law.
§ 5. The task force shall:
(a) study the effectiveness of universal design for learning to:
(i) provide flexibility in the ways information is presented, students respond or demonstrate knowledge and skills, and students are engaged; and
(ii) reduce barriers in instruction and provide appropriate accommodations, supports, and challenges while maintaining high achievement expectations for all students, including students with disabilities and students with limited English proficiency;
(b) study the feasibility of:
(i) incorporating and applying the principles of universal design for learning into the elementary, secondary, and postsecondary and higher education systems in the state with respect to curriculum development; the evaluation, selection, and design of textbooks and other instructional materials; the purchase and use of technology for instructional purposes; teacher preparation and staff development; the development of classroom, district, and statewide assessments; and state grants; and
(ii) evaluating the effect of universal design for learning on student outcomes;
(c) make recommendations relating to how school districts and boards of cooperative educational services may incorporate the best practices and principles of universal design for learning through the development of local school system policies and procedures, including but not limited to local educational goals, teaching methods, instructional materials and assessments.
§ 6. The task force shall make a report of its findings to the governor, the temporary president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly, within one year of the date of the task force's first meeting. Such report shall include recommendations for further action and legislation.
§ 7. This act shall take effect July 1, 2017 and shall expire and be deemed repealed two years after such date.
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.