What's happening
This bill requires New York schools to offer the TASC exam and preparation in Chinese and Korean for students with limited English proficiency.
Why it matters
Expands equitable access to high school equivalency credentials. by ensuring Chinese- and Korean-speaking students with limited English proficiency can prepare for and take the TASC exam in their native language, potentially increasing educational and economic opportunities for these communities.
Requires schools to provide translated instructional materials and communications. related to the TASC exam, helping students and families better understand and navigate high-stakes testing processes.
Mandates annual reporting on participation. in Chinese and Korean language TASC exams, enabling the state to monitor uptake and potentially identify gaps or further needs in language accessibility and education policy.
Directs the state education commissioner to implement and regulate these changes. , including possible contracts with testing organizations, ensuring a standardized and accountable rollout across New York schools.
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Who cares
Headline styles
TASC Exams in More Languages
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 26
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.
TASC Tests in Chinese, Korean
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Nily Rozic
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4329
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 7, 2019
Introduced by Sen. KAVANAGH -- 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 requiring the administration of the TASC examination in the Chinese and Korean languages for pupils who are proficient in such languages and of limited English proficiency
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 3204-a to read as follows:
§ 3204-a. Administration of the TASC examination in the Chinese and Korean languages. 1. Students who are proficient in the Chinese or Korean language and of limited English proficiency shall be entitled to receive instruction in preparation for the TASC examination and the administration of such examination in the Chinese or Korean language.
2. The commissioner shall require each board of education, including the board of each community school district of the city of New York, make available to all pupils proficient in the Chinese or Korean language, and of limited proficiency in English, the official TASC examination written in such native language, and make available any instructional courses or programs for the preparation of such examination, which are offered by the school district, including course materials, in such native language. The commissioner shall further direct that any notification or correspondence relating to the administration of the TASC examination shall be written in the Chinese or Korean language.
3. Each school district shall obtain and maintain a record of pupils who have the TASC examination administered in the Chinese or Korean language and shall report such information to the department on an annual basis.
§ 2. The commissioner of education is hereby authorized to promulgate any rules or regulations necessary for the implementation of this act,
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00793-01-9
S. 4329 2
including, but not limited to, rules or regulations directing the department to enter into a contract with the American Council on Education to develop and provide appropriate testing materials.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law.
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 requiring the administration of the TASC examination in the Chinese and Korean languages for pupils who are proficient in such languages and of limited English proficiency
Purpose
To provide pupils, who are proficient in the Chinese or Korean language, the option to receive instructions in preparation for the Test Assessing Secondary Completion ("TASC") examination, and take the examination in such languages.
Summary of provisions
The Commissioner of New York State Department of Education shall require each Board of Education within its province, including the New York City Department of Education, to make the TASC examination available in the Chinese or Korean language for pupils proficient in it. The Commissioner of New York State Department of Education shall also make any instruc- tional courses or programs for the preparation of the TASC examination available in the Chinese or Korean language.
Justification
While learning to read, write and converse in English is a collective and laudable goal for many pupils in the United States, standardized testing may be unnecessarily challenging for those who have yet to achieve a mastery of the English language. This legislation provides the opportunity for pupils to demonstrate their aptitude in subjects such as social studies, science and math without the impediment of a lack of proficiency in the English language. Currently, the TASC examination and its study materials are only offered in English, Spanish and French. By expanding access of the TASC examination to pupils proficient in the Chinese and Korean language, it will accommodate the growing population of Chinese and Korean speakers in state of New York who may seek TASC credentials.
Legislative history
2018: S7071 - Education 2016: S582 - Education 2013: S182- Education 2011-2012 S91- Education
Fiscal impact on the state
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after 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.