What's happening
This bill repeals the law regarding state takeovers and restructuring of failing schools in New York.
Why it matters
Shifts Responsibility for School Improvement. By repealing the state’s authority to take over and restructure failing schools, this bill returns primary responsibility for turning around underperforming schools to local districts, which may lead to different approaches and varying levels of intervention depending on local leadership and resources.
Limits State Intervention Powers. The removal of this law means the state education department and commissioner lose a significant tool for enforcing rapid changes in persistently low-performing schools, potentially affecting how quickly and aggressively failing schools are addressed.
Impacts Students, Teachers, and Communities. Without the threat or reality of state takeovers, there may be fewer disruptive changes (like staff replacements or school reconfigurations) for students and teachers, but it could also mean slower progress in schools that have struggled for years, impacting educational outcomes for vulnerable populations.
Reflects Policy Shift in Education Reform. This repeal signals a philosophical change, possibly prioritizing local control and community input over top-down mandates, which can influence the broader debate about how best to improve struggling schools and who should be accountable for student achievement.
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Who cares
Headline styles
End School Takeover Law
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
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.
End School Takeover Law
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Anthony Brindisi
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2278
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 12, 2017
Introduced by Sens. GRIFFO, AVELLA, FUNKE, GALLIVAN, KAMINSKY, LATIMER, ROBACH, SEWARD -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to repeal section 211-f of the education law, relating to takeover and restructuring of failing schools
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 211-f of the education law is REPEALED.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the twentieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01875-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to repeal section 211-f of the education law, relating to takeover and restructuring of failing schools
Purpose
To eliminate language in education law that authorized the restructuring and state takeover of failing schools via the appointment of an external receiver.
Summary of provisions
Section 211-f of the education law is repealed.
Justification
The state take-over and receivership status of school districts identified as "failing" or "persistently failing" has been a dismal disappointment and has met with little, if any, success in improving educational outcomes. Many schools identified as failing have been on the list for over 10 years. Moreover, the provisions in 211-f Education Law weigh heavily upon our state's students who are living in poverty. A repeal of this section will allow educational communities to solve their problems on the local level with educator input, while avoiding the imposition of long-distance interventions that are ineffective.
Legislative history
2016 - S.7462/A. 10056 - Education Committee
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the twentieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.