What's happening
This bill directs the commissioner of education to study and recommend on ecological literacy and healthy living curricula in New York schools.
Why it matters
Promotes a comprehensive understanding of how New York schools address ecological literacy and healthy living. , identifying gaps and strengths in current curricula across all public and private K-12 schools.
Could drive future curriculum changes or funding. by providing state lawmakers and education officials with detailed data and recommendations on what’s actually being taught and where improvements are needed.
May influence broader educational priorities. the study’s findings could shape statewide standards, teacher training requirements, or resource allocations related to environmental education and student health.
Encourages accountability and transparency. by requiring a formal report to top state leaders within a year, ensuring the issue receives attention at the highest levels of government.
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Who cares
Commissioner of Education
Would be required to study ecological literacy and healthy living instruction and extracurricular activities and deliver findings and recommendations within one year.
Public and private K–12 schools
Their ecological literacy and healthy living classes, programs and extracurricular offerings would be the subject of the statewide study, without a requirement to add instruction.
Governor and legislative leaders
Would receive the commissioner's report and recommendations on ecological literacy and healthy living curriculum.
Headline styles
Study School Health Curriculum
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to education
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.128
- 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.
Study School Eco Health Curriculum
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Linda Rosenthal
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2578
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 28, 2019
Introduced by Sen. BAILEY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education
AN ACT authorizing and directing the commissioner of education to conduct a study regarding ecological literacy and healthy living curriculum in schools, and to provide recommendations
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The commissioner of education is authorized and directed to conduct a study regarding ecological literacy and healthy living curriculum within the state. For purposes of this act, the term "qualified institution" shall mean every public and private school in New York state that instructs any students in grades kindergarten through twelve. Such study shall focus on the availability of such curriculum at all qualified institutions, and shall include but not be limited to:
1. a description of all offered ecological literacy and healthy living related classes;
2. the academic year ecological literacy and healthy living instruction becomes available at each qualifying institution and a description of its specific form;
3. the existence of any specific ecological literacy and healthy living program at each qualifying institution and what such program includes; and
4. all ecological literacy and healthy living extracurricular activities offered.
§ 2. A report of the findings of such study and recommendations of the commissioner of education shall be delivered to the governor, the temporary president of the senate, the speaker of the assembly, the minority leader of the senate and the minority leader of the assembly within one year of the effective date of this act.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04827-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act authorizing and directing the commissioner of education to conduct a study regarding ecological literacy and healthy living curric- ulum in schools, and to provide recommendations
Purpose or general idea of bill
Ecological literacy is vital to preserving our world, and more specif- ically the vast natural resources that New York State has. This bills aims to evaluate the current programs that schools across the state have on ecological literacy and healthy living, this way getting a better understanding to the best way to implement a uniform curriculum.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 authorizes and directs the commissioner of education to conduct a study regarding ecological literacy and healthy living curric- ulum within the state.
Section 2 mandates that the commissioner submit a report on the study to the governor and the legislature within one year after the effective date of this act.
Section 3 is the effective date.
Justification
Across the state some of our schools have taken different initiatives to incorporate ecological literacy and healthy living into their curric- ulums. With climate change looming in our future, we need to educate the next generation of New Yorkers in ways that will help them address a variety of environmental challenges while protecting our natural resources to ensure quality of life for all.
Our government agencies, public and private organizations, and our academic institutions all work towards creating a vibrant and econom- ically sustainable New York so that future generations may enjoy the same high quality of life as generations before. In order to achieve this, it is important that we make sustainability one of our overarching educational frameworks.
This bill aims to evaluate the different programs that schools have in place individually so that an overall program can be added to the curriculum statewide.
Prior legislative history
2017-18: S.6690/A.11131 (Rosenthal L) - Delivered to Assembly, Referred to Education
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.