What's happening
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to guarantee free, quality education in New York from prekindergarten through undergraduate degrees or certification programs.
Why it matters
Expands the constitutional right to education. by guaranteeing not just K-12, but also prekindergarten and undergraduate/postsecondary education, which could profoundly affect access and opportunity for all New Yorkers.
Mandates "quality" education. , not just "free" education, raising the standard for what the state must provide and potentially opening the door for legal challenges if educational offerings are deemed inadequate.
Uses broader language ("pupils" instead of "children"). , explicitly including older students (such as adult learners in undergraduate or certification programs) and ensuring the amendment covers a wider range of educational needs and stages.
Potentially shifts long-term state budget priorities. , as this amendment would require sustained and possibly increased funding for the entire public education pipeline, from early childhood through college, impacting public finances and policymaking.
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Free School Through College
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to judiciary
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to judiciary
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.
Free School Through College
In Assembly Committee · Judiciary · Sponsor Harvey Epstein
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5255
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
April 18, 2019
Introduced by Sen. GOUNARDES -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Judiciary
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment to the Constitution, in relation to education of pupils through undergraduate
Section 1. Resolved (if the Assembly concur), That section 1 of article 11 of the constitution be amended to read as follows:
Section 1. The legislature shall provide for the maintenance and support of a system of free [common schools] and quality education from prekindergarten through the undergraduate degrees or certification programs offered in post secondary schools, wherein all [the children] pupils of this state may be educated.
§ 2. Resolved (if the Assembly concur), That the foregoing amendment be referred to the first regular legislative session convening after the next succeeding general election of members of the assembly, and, in conformity with section 1 of article 19 of the constitution, be published for 3 months previous to the time of such election.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD89129-02-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment to the Constitution, in relation to education of pupils through undergraduate
Purpose or general idea of bill
This amendment would require New York to provide free, quality education from prekindergarten through post secondary school.
Summary of provisions
Section one amends section one of article eleven of the Constitution by adding a requirement of the State to provide quality, free public educa- tion for prekindergarten through college.
Section two states that the foregoing amendment be referred to the first regular legislative session convening after the next succeeding general election of members of the assembly, and, in conformity with section 1 of article 19 of the Constitution, be published for 3 months previous to the time of such election
Existing law
The Constitution does not currently require public education to be qual- ity nor does it include post secondary education in its definition of free, common schools in the State.
Justification
The U.S. needs a public education system for the 21st century that goes beyond our outdated concept of K-12 education and redefines our commit- ment to education to include both early childhood development and post- secondary schooling. New York should become the first state in the coun- try to constitutionally guarantee free, quality public education from pre-K through college.
We know the kind of basic, quality public education students need to compete and succeed in the future, but New York is not currently commit- ted to providing it to them. Yes, Mayor de Blasio and Gov. Andrew Cuomo have both made strides to make pre-K and post-secondary education more accessible to all New Yorkers through UPK and the Excelsior Scholarship, a program that allows students to attend state university and city university colleges tuition-free if they attend full-time and meet certain income requirements. But these programs by themselves are insuf- ficient. Even with UPK and Excelsior, millions of young New Yorkers are left behind: Students who don't have access to free pre-K and those whose families don't meet income requirements or are unable to attend school full-time; 79 percent of 4-year-olds in the state outside of New York City lack full-day pre-K.
And, although post-secondary education is necessary for students to have their best chance at future success, the costs of college makes it inac- cessible for many. And, to succeed in the 21st century job market, most students will need some post-secondary education at a minimum. Current projections indicate that 3.5 million jobs in New York State will require an associate's degree or higher by 2024. New York should set an example for the country by adopting a constitu- tional amendment guaranteeing pre-K and college education for all, so that every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall be referred to the first regular legislative session convening after the next succeeding general election of members of the Assembly, and, in conformity with Section 1 of Article 19 of the Consti- tution, be published for 3 months previous to the time of such election.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.