What's happening
This bill requires all New York school districts to screen students for gifted and talented programs before third grade, with parental opt-out.
Why it matters
Ensures early identification of gifted students. By requiring screening before third grade, the bill aims to identify advanced learners at a younger age, potentially providing them with tailored educational opportunities earlier in their academic careers.
Promotes equity and consistency across districts. Mandating screening in all school districts could help reduce disparities where access to gifted programs previously depended on local policies, potentially making advanced learning opportunities more equitable statewide.
Enhances parental involvement and transparency. The bill requires districts to notify parents about the screening process and offers a clear opt-out option, helping parents stay informed and involved in decisions about their child’s education.
May impact resource allocation and teacher training. Universal early screening could require districts to invest in new assessment tools, staff training, and expanded gifted programs, influencing school budgets and priorities.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Screen All Kids for Giftedness
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.
Test All Kids for Giftedness
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Nily Rozic
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3542
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 8, 2019
Introduced by Sen. STAVISKY -- 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 school districts screening for gifted and talented students
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 305 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 57 to read as follows:
57. a. The commissioner shall require all school districts to screen for gifted and talented students. Such students shall be screened prior to entering third grade.
b. School districts shall provide notice of such screening to each student and to the parent or guardian of each student enrolled in such school district. The notice shall:
(i) be printed in a clear and conspicuous manner and shall describe such screening methods; and
(ii) give the parent or guardian of such student the opportunity to opt out of such screening by checking the box "do not screen my child".
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01294-01-9
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 school districts screening for gifted and talented students
Purpose
To ensure that all students are screened for gifted and talented student programming in order to benefit from the resources offered by their schools.
Summary of provisions
Section I of the bill amends section 305 of the education law by adding a new subdivision 57 to require the commissioner to require all school districts to screen for gifted and talented students prior to entering third grade. Notice of such screening will be provided to the parent or guardian of each student, shall be printed in a clear and conspicuous manner, and shall describe the screening methods. The parent or guardian will be given the opportunity to opt out of the screening by checking the box "do not screen my child."
Section II of the bill sets forth the effective date.
Justification
New York State does not mandate cognitive assessments of schoolchildren by educational administrators. Yet, cognitive assessments-such as the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)-remain credible tools for ascertaining levels of acuity in children. Administrators and teachers use these assessments to tailor instruction to particular developmental strengths and needs so crucial to cognitive development and academic success (particularly on standardized examinations). Cognitive assessment tools have the potential for improving access to specialized instruction and enhancing academic achievement especially among socioeconomically disad- vantaged populations.
In 2015, the School Board of Broward County, Florida, issued a report entitled "The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT): Screening for Gifted- ness, Predicting Achievements, and Informing Differentiated Instruc- tion." That report showed that 643 second grade students not previously identified as gifted met the CogAT score criteria for consideration for gifted services. It also identified 84% of these students as being from under-represented populations.
By requiring cognitive assessment of schoolchildren early in their education, this bill would elevate such assessment methods as normative and credible instruments of cognitive development and improved academic performance among diverse student populations. Testing all children would give those students especially those who do not have an actively engaged parent or guardian the opportunity to benefit from enhanced instruction based on test results.
Legislative history
2018: S 7984 - referred to Education; A 10197 - referred to Education
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect 180 days after it is enacted.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.