What's happening
This bill requires free in-school test preparation programs for certain seventh graders in large cities who scored below a four on standardized tests and plan to apply to specialized high schools.
Why it matters
Targets Opportunity Gaps. By providing free in-school test prep specifically to seventh graders who scored below a four on key standardized tests, the bill aims to help students who might otherwise lack resources or support to compete for spots in specialized high schools.
Focuses on Large Urban School Systems. The requirement only applies to cities with populations over one million, directly addressing educational equity in New York City and similar large urban centers where competition for specialized high schools is highest and disparities are most pronounced.
Integrates Support into the School Day. Mandating that test prep be offered during regular school hours removes barriers such as transportation, after-school obligations, or family responsibilities that can prevent lower-income students from accessing extra help.
Potential for Broader Impact on High School Admissions. By boosting preparation for the specialized high school admissions test among underperforming students, the bill could diversify applicant pools and potentially reshape the demographics of these elite schools over time.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Free Test Prep for Students
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Free Test Prep for Students
In Assembly Committee · Ways And Means · Sponsor Jaime R. Williams
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1321
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 9, 2017
Introduced by Sen. PERSAUD -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to test preparation programs for certain students
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 305 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 56 to read as follows:
56. Test preparation for certain students. The commissioner shall establish in cities having a population of one million or more, in conjunction with the appropriate official with jurisdiction over the public school system in such cities, a test preparation program for students in the seventh grade having scored no higher than a four on either the English language arts test or mathematics test administered by such cities and who intend to apply to take the specialized high school admissions test. Such test preparation shall be offered free of charge during the regular operating hours of the school day.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02140-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to test preparation programs for certain students
Purpose
To provide test preparation for certain students intending to apply to take the specialized high school admissions test.
Summary of provisions
Section one of this bill amends subdivision 55 of section 305 of the education law that would provide test preparation for certain students who intend to apply to take the specialized high school admissions test. This subsection establishes in cities having a population of one million or more, in conjunction with the appropriate official with jurisdiction over the public school system in such cities, a test preparation program for students in the seventh grade having scored no higher than a four on either the English language arts test or mathematics test administered by such cities and who intend to apply to take the specialized high school admission test. Such test preparation shall be offered free of charge during the regular operating hours of the school day.
Justification
To ensure that children of the general population are not at a disadvantage in comparison to their peers. This act would allow all children access to equal opportunity for entrance to specialized high school.
Legislative history
None.
Fiscal implications
Undetermined.
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.