What's happening
This bill requires New York public schools to teach climate change within the science curriculum for grades 1 through 12.
Why it matters
Mandates dedicated resources. Schools will be required to allocate time, space, and materials specifically for climate change instruction, which may influence budget priorities and classroom logistics.
Statewide, standardized approach. By having the commissioner develop and certify a unified curriculum, there will be less variation in how climate change is taught, potentially raising the baseline quality and consistency of science education across the state.
Immediate implementation timeline. The law enables regulatory changes ahead of the official start date, signaling a sense of urgency and minimizing delays in getting climate change education into classrooms.
Potential for broader impact. Early and ongoing climate education (grades 1–12) could shape student understanding, future workforce readiness, and civic engagement around environmental issues, impacting New York’s approach to climate challenges long-term.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Teach Climate Change in Schools
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to education
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7676
IN SENATE
February 5, 2020
Introduced by Sen. SANDERS -- 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 climate change education in public schools
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. Climate change education. 1. The commissioner shall create and require climate change instruction within the current established science curriculum. Such instruction shall be taught in grades one through twelve in all public schools.
2. Schools shall begin teaching such climate change instruction in the first school year following certification by the commissioner that such instruction has been established.
3. School authorities shall provide the needed facilities, time and place for the instruction set forth in this section and shall provide learning aids and curriculum resource materials which contribute to effective teaching methods and learning in education regarding climate change.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD15154-02-0
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 climate change education in public schools
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill would require climate change instruction within the current established science curriculum for grades one through twelve in all public schools.
Summary of provisions
Section One. The commissioner shall create and require climate change instruction within the current established science curriculum. Such instruction shall be taught in grades one through twelve in all public schools.
Section 2. The effective date.
Justification
Climate change is a major issue for the state, nation and the world. It is the current policy of the State to try to stop and reduce the nega- tive impact of climate change based on the science. Since climate change will impact future generations and is an important topic of science, this legislation would require climate change instruction within the current established science curriculum for grades one through twelve in all public schools.
Prior legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
None to the State.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addi- tion, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.