What's happening
This bill requires New York public schools to include instruction on civility, citizenship, and character education with specific sensitivity to diversity and anti-bullying.
Why it matters
Expands the definition of “tolerance,” “respect for others,” and “dignity”. in public school instruction to explicitly include awareness of, and sensitivity to, harassment, bullying, and discrimination based on race, weight, national origin, ethnicity, religion, religious practices, ability, sexual orientation, gender, and sex—meaning students will receive education that more directly addresses real-world diversity and inclusion issues.
Mandates a broader, more explicit approach to anti-bullying and anti-discrimination education,. ensuring that curricula are not just generally about “good character,” but specifically prepare students to recognize and respond to the diverse ways discrimination and harassment can occur.
Requires the Board of Regents and Commissioner of Education. to adapt curricula and regulations as needed, which could lead to updated teaching materials, teacher training, and school policies focused on creating safer, more supportive school environments for all students.
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
Teach Respect in Schools
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.
Teach Civility in Schools
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Michaelle C. Solages
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3078
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 19, 2017
Introduced by Sen. PARKER -- 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 making certain provisions applicable to public schools relating to instruction in civility, citizenship and character education
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 801-a of the education law, as amended by chapter 102 of the laws of 2012, is amended to read as follows:
§ 801-a. Instruction in civility, citizenship and character education. The regents shall ensure that the course of instruction in grades kindergarten through twelve includes a component on civility, citizenship and character education. Such component shall instruct students on the principles of honesty, tolerance, personal responsibility, respect for others, with an emphasis on discouraging acts of harassment, bullying, discrimination, observance of laws and rules, courtesy, dignity and other traits which will enhance the quality of their experiences in, and contributions to, the community. Such component shall include instruction of safe, responsible use of the internet and electronic communications. The regents shall determine how to incorporate such component in existing curricula and the commissioner shall promulgate any regulations needed to carry out such determination of the regents. For the purposes of this section for courses of instruction in public schools, "tolerance," "respect for others" and "dignity" shall include awareness and sensitivity to harassment, bullying, discrimination and civility in the relations of people of different races, weights, national origins, ethnic groups, religions, religious practices, mental or physical abilities, sexual orientations, genders, and sexes.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04566-01-7
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 making certain provisions applicable to public schools relating to instruction in civility, citizenship and character education
Purpose or general idea of bill
To amend Education Law section 801-a, relating to instruction in civility, citizenship and character, to explicitly state that the amendments made to that section by chapter 102 of the laws of 2012, apply only to public schools.
Summary of specific provisions
This bill makes a technical correction to the Dignity for All Students Act ("Dignity"), so that Education-Law section 801-a, relating to instruction in civility, citizenship and character, will explicitly state the legislature's original intent that the amendments made to that section by Dignity apply only to public schools, as does the main body of Dignity, set out in Education Law Article 2.
Justification
The primary content of chanter 102 of the laws of 2012, known as the Dignity for All Students Act ("Dignity"), is set out in Article 2 of the Education Law, entitled "Dignity for All Students." The Dignity Act applies only to public schools. See, Education Law section 10, section 11(1), and section 17(1) (explicitly exempting private, religious and denominational institutions). Chapter 102 also made changes to two other sections of the Education Law, one of which was Education Law section 801-a. It was always the Legislature's intent that the language added to section 801-a by Dignity would apply to the same schools as Article 2, i.e., to public schools and not to private and religious schools. Language making that intent explicit was inadvertently omitted from the bill text. This technical chapter amendment corrects the inadvertent omission.
Prior legislative history
2015-16: S.1409 - Referred to Education 2013-14: S.894 - Referred to Education 2011-12: S.5834/A.8310 - Passed assembly/Died in Education
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.