What's happening
This bill requires all New York high schools without a student government to establish one to ensure student participation opportunities.
Why it matters
Expands student voice and democracy. By requiring the creation of student governments in every high school, the bill ensures students have a formal mechanism to express their views and influence school policies, which can lead to more responsive and inclusive school environments.
Promotes civic engagement early. Mandating student governments introduces students to democratic processes, leadership roles, and representative decision-making, helping to foster civic skills and habits that can extend beyond high school.
Addresses disparities in student participation. The bill specifically targets schools that currently lack student governments, aiming to provide equal opportunities for student involvement and leadership regardless of school or district resources or priorities.
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Headline styles
Require Student Governments
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.151
- Referred to education
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to education
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 61–1
- Amended on third reading (t) 4008c
- Advanced to third reading
Show 7 earlier actions
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.497
- Print number 4008b
- Amend and recommit to education
- Print number 4008a
- Amend and recommit 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.
Require Student Governments
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor David Buchwald
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4008--C Cal. No. 497
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 25, 2019
Introduced by Sens. MAYER, COMRIE, FUNKE, GOUNARDES, HOYLMAN, LIU, MAY, MONTGOMERY, PERSAUD, RAMOS, SALAZAR, SKOUFIS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education -- committee discharged, bill amended,… Show allHide
Introduced by Sens. MAYER, COMRIE, FUNKE, GOUNARDES, HOYLMAN, LIU, MAY, MONTGOMERY, PERSAUD, RAMOS, SALAZAR, SKOUFIS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -- reported favorably from said committee, ordered to first and second report, ordered to a third reading, amended and ordered reprinted, retaining its place in the order of third reading
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to student governments
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 817 to read as follows:
§ 817. Student government. The board of education or trustees of every school district serving high school students in grades nine through twelve with no districtwide or school building peer selected student government shall establish at least one student government organization within such district or school building with the goal of ensuring all eligible students have the opportunity to participate in such student government.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of September next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
S LBD09251-09-9
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 student governments
Purpose
The purpose of this bill is to include student governments in high schools or districtwide where they currently do not exist.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Adds a new section 817 to education law to establish peer selected student governments either in high schools or district-wide where there currently are none.
Section 2. This section provides the effective date.
Justification
In recent years, there has been a national outcry about the lack of civic preparedness of students graduating high school. A long tradition of research suggests that giving students more opportunities to partic- ipate in the management of their own classrooms and schools builds their civic skills and attitudes. Thus, giving students a voice in school governance is a promising way to encourage all young people to engage civically.
The Carnegie Corporation in its seminal 2011 report, Guardian of Democ- racy: The Civic Mission of Schools found that "participation in school governance has benefits for the students directly involved-such as those elected to a council-and also for their fellow students. Those who directly participate show better academic success and higher likelihood of civic participation later on, including activities should require effort on the part of the student." (cites omitted.)
In addition, a 2003 American Bar Association report noted "the relation- ship between citizen and society is essential" and the goal of extracur- ricular activities should be to "illustrate significant connections between students and larger communities, such as town, nation, and world." In focusing on this goal, extracurricular activities are a vital part of well-rounded civic learning." American Bar Association, "Essen- tials of Law-Related Education," (2003); (See also Reuben Thomas and Daniel McFarland, "CIRCLE Working Paper 73: Joining Young, Voting Young: The Effects of Youth Voluntary Associations on Early Adult Voting" (2010.)
One way in which students can gain the skills necessary to perform their roles as citizens in an ever-evolving society is through participation in student government programs. The presence of and participation in Peer selected student government programs equips students with the know- ledge and understanding of how government functions and how they can shape their society through the political process and provides leader- ship opportunities for a wide range of students. Although some high schools and school districts in New York State already have student government programs,there are places where they do not exist. It is important that New York State ensures the availability of such extracur-
ricular programs that enhance civic engagement and leadership prepared- ness to high school students across the state.
Legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
None to the State.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the first of September next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.