What's happening
This bill requires charter schools to notify parents and guardians in writing when placed on probation or given a remedial action plan.
Why it matters
Increases transparency for families. By requiring written notification when a charter school is put on probation or given a remedial action plan, parents are better informed about issues that could impact their child’s education and school stability.
Ensures timely and direct communication. The law mandates that notice be given within two weeks of the school receiving its status, and requires notification to both parents in dual-custody situations, reducing the risk that important information is missed.
Mandates public reporting. Charter schools must update a public database every two weeks with their probationary status or any remedial action plans, allowing families and the public to track school performance and accountability in real time.
Impacts school choice decisions. By notifying even families being recruited (not just current students), the bill ensures prospective parents can make fully informed decisions before enrolling their child in a charter school facing challenges.
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
Headline styles
Notify Parents of Charter Status
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
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.
Notify Parents on Charter Status
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Joseph Lentol
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2886
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 18, 2017
Introduced by Sen. DILAN -- 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 parental notification when charter schools are placed on probation or receive a remedial action plan
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 2855-a to read as follows:
§ 2855-a. Parental notification. 1. Parents or legal guardians of children who are enrolled in charter schools or whom the schools are attempting to recruit shall be notified when such schools may be placed on probation or receive a remedial action plan from the charter entity or regents.
2. The term "charter school" shall have the same meaning as defined in this chapter.
3. Such notice shall be granted within two weeks of actual notice of such a school's status.
4. As schools provide notice, they shall disclose their probationary status and remedial action plan to remain open.
5. Such provided notice shall be written and sent via postal mail to the parents or legal guardians. In the event of dual custody situations, the schools shall provide written notice to both parents if their addresses are on file with the school.
6. Schools shall also disclose their probationary status in a database that shall be updated every two weeks. In this database, charter schools shall disclose any probationary status and remedial action plans.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01384-01-7
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 parental notification when charter schools are placed on probation or receive a remedial action plan
Purpose or general idea of bill
Requires charter schools to provide notice to parents of their probationary status or received remedial action plan.
Summary of specific provisions
The Education law is a mended by adding a new section 2855-a.
Justification
The legislation will require a charter school on probation to disclose that they are under probation and are currently following a remedial action plan to remain open. The legislation was sparked by recent incidents involving Citizens of the World Charter School. The school continued to recruit parents after they had been placed on probation without providing any notification.
Clearly, non-notification is a purposeful omission of important information by the school. When charter schools attempt to recruit parents without informing them that their school is on probation, they are potentially jeopardizing the future of these families, if they do in fact enroll and the school is closed shortly thereafter. Students could potentially be left with no school to go to, especially if a school closes and the public school they left is now at capacity.
Families should be able to make informed decisions, and this legislation will certainly assist the process.
Prior legislative history
2013-2014: S.5998 /A.1870 Referred to education 2015-2016: S.1241/A.1870 Advanced to 3rd reading
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.