What's happening
This bill requires non-public schools in New York to provide instruction substantially equivalent to local public schools and establishes a process for complaints, investigations, and enforcement.
Why it matters
Raises accountability for non-public schools. by giving the state education commissioner explicit authority to investigate complaints and enforce standards, which could affect how private and religious schools operate and are perceived.
Empowers a wide range of stakeholders. (including former students, parents, teachers, and local residents) to file detailed complaints, making it easier for community concerns about non-public school quality to trigger state action.
Introduces strong enforcement mechanisms. , such as corrective action plans, temporary observers, probation, funding cuts, and even school closure, meaning non-public schools face real consequences if they don’t meet instructional standards.
Mandates transparency and oversight. through required documentation, unannounced visits, and public reporting, potentially leading to significant changes in curriculum design, teaching methods, and school autonomy for non-public schools.
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
Enforce Private School Standards
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 38
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.
Enforce Private School Standards
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Kenneth Zebrowski
Full text
3 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
142
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sen. CARLUCCI -- 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 required instruction in non-public schools
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (i) of subdivision 2 of section 3204 of the education law, as amended by section 1 of part SSS of chapter 59 of the laws of 2018, is amended to read as follows:
(i) Instruction may be given only by a competent teacher. In the teaching of the subjects of instruction prescribed by this section, English shall be the language of instruction, and text-books used shall be written in English, except that for a period of three years, which period may be extended by the commissioner with respect to individual pupils, upon application therefor by the appropriate school authorities, to a period not in excess of six years, from the date of enrollment in school, pupils who, by reason of foreign birth or ancestry have limited English proficiency, shall be provided with instructional programs as specified in subdivision two-a of this section and the regulations of the commissioner. The purpose of providing such pupils with instruction shall be to enable them to develop academically while achieving competence in the English language. Instruction given to a minor elsewhere than at a public school shall be at least substantially equivalent to the instruction given to minors of like age and attainments at the public schools of the city or district where the school is located or if home-schooled, where the minor resides.
§ 2. The education law is amended by adding a new section 3204-a to read as follows:
§ 3204-a. Instruction required in non-public schools. 1. All students attending a non-public school shall be given instruction that is
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05323-01-9
S. 142 2
substantially equivalent to the instruction that is given to students of similar age and attainment in the district in which the school is located. A non-public school is not required to use the curriculum of the school district in which they are located but must provide students with instruction that is similar in rigor, allotted time, and subject.
2. If there is an allegation that a non-public school's instruction is not substantially equivalent to the instruction of the public school district, a written complaint may be filed with the commissioner by a current or former student, parent of a current or former student, current or former teacher, administrator or employee of a non-public school or a resident of the school district that such non-public school is located. The complaint must include the complainant's name, address, non-public school name, non-public school's address, relationship to the non-public school, description of the non-public school's failure to provide appropriate education, and evidence of the curriculum, content of instruction or any other documentation or proof that the school failed to provide substantially equivalent instruction.
3. Upon receipt of a complaint pursuant to this section, the commissioner shall substantiate such complaint to determine whether a valid claim exists. The commissioner shall notify the district superintendent and non-public school administrator, and request documentation pertaining to the school's instruction, including but not limited to, description of curriculum, class instruction materials, testing program, and schedule of classes. The non-public school administrator must respond to the request for documentation in a time period specified by the commissioner. In the course of the investigation, the department may, during any reasonable hour, conduct unannounced school visits at the non-public school to observe instruction. The visitations shall include observation of classrooms, discussions with school staff and students, and review of curriculum documents. The non-public school authorities shall not refuse access to the department for the purpose of a visitation pursuant to this section.
4. The commissioner may consult with the district superintendent during the investigation and may request documents needed as part of such investigation.
5. Following an investigation, the commissioner shall issue a report on their findings of whether the non-public school is providing instruction that is substantially equivalent to the school district in which it is located. The report shall include all documentation submitted by the non-public school and if school visitations were made, all observations and notes from such visits.
6. If the commissioner determines that a non-public school has failed to provide substantially equivalent instruction to the public school pursuant to this section, the commissioner shall take any of the following actions, either individually or in combination:
(a) The commissioner may issue an order that provides the non-public school with a corrective action plan. The corrective action plan shall compel the non-public school to take immediate steps to implement an appropriate curriculum that provides students with substantially equivalent instruction pursuant to this section.
(b) The commissioner may place a temporary education observer at the non-public school to ensure that appropriate instruction is provided to students.
(c) The commissioner may, if applicable, place the non-public school's registration on probation until the non-public school demonstrates that
S. 142 3
their instruction and curriculum is substantially equivalent to the school district which they are located in.
(d) The commissioner may withhold any apportionment or grant of mandated services aid until any actions or orders are satisfied.
(e) The commissioner may permanently revoke the non-public school's registration or if not registered, prohibit the school from operating.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
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 required instruction in non-public schools
Purpose of the bill
This bill creates an enforcement mechanism for education standards in non-public schools.
Summary of provisions
Section one of the bill amends section 3204 of the education law as it relates to clarifying that a student's education in a non-public school must be substantially equivalent to the public school district where the school is located rather than where the minor resides.
Section two of the bill amends the education law by adding a new section 3204-a as it relates to required instruction in non-public schools. All Non-public students shall receive an education that is substantially equivalent to that in the public schools with respect to rigor, allotted time and subject. It provides parents, students, teachers and residents a method to file a complaint if they feel a non-public school is failing to provide a substantially equivalent education. The commissioner of education must investigate a substantiated complaint to determine if the non-public school is providing an appropriate education. The section provides the commissioner with several remedies to ensure that the school complies with the required educational standards already set by law.
Section three of the bill relates to the effective date.
Justification
This bill would provide parents, students, teachers and residents the ability to file a complaint with the Department of Education if a nonpublic school fails to provide a "substantially equivalent" educa- tion. Currently, all non-public schools must provide instruction that is "substantially equivalent" to that of the public school. This require- ment has been around for years in order to ensure that all children are afforded a quality and basic education regardless of where they receive instruction. Unfortunately, there is no enforcement in the law to ensure that non-public schools comply with the required standards; leaving parents and students with no remedy. Recently, several parents and students were forced to sue the school district and state in order to compel their non-public school to increase the educational standards.
The lawsuit claimed that students were only provided a limited number of hours of secular education per week. This bill provides a reasonable administrative mechanism to enforce an educational standards law that has been on the books for decades.
Prior legislative history
2017-18: S1733/A1305 - EDUCATION/education 2015-16: S6291/A8612 - Education/Education
Fiscal implications for state
Minimal.
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.