What's happening
This bill requires New York schools to expand and update curriculum on the history and current state of the U.S. labor movement.
Why it matters
Ensures students learn about both organized and unorganized labor. , giving a more comprehensive understanding of how various groups of workers have influenced U.S. economic and social history, not just traditional unions.
Promotes awareness of the present-day labor movement. , helping students connect historical events to current issues like gig work, workplace rights, strikes, and unionization efforts—making the subject more relevant to their future careers and civic engagement.
Allows flexibility for schools to integrate labor history in ways that fit their local context or existing programs. , which could result in more engaging or tailored instruction rather than a one-size-fits-all mandate.
May help counteract gaps or biases in current textbooks and curricula. , ensuring that the role of workers and collective action is not overlooked and equipping students with a fuller perspective on U.S. history and democracy.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
State education commissioner
Would be required to establish or revise age-appropriate instruction covering organized and unorganized labor history and the labor movement today.
School districts and social studies teachers
Schools could incorporate the expanded materials into social studies or another format they deem appropriate, beginning with school years starting on or after July 1, 2026.
Students
The curriculum would provide a fuller picture of U.S. labor history, tailored to pupils’ needs and abilities at successive grade levels.
Labor unions and nonunion workers
The expanded curriculum would cover the history of both organized and unorganized labor, along with information on the current labor movement.
Headline styles
Teach Labor History in Schools
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1210
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 8, 2025
Introduced by Sen. MAY -- 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 commissioner of education to develop and implement an expanded curriculum or instruction on the history of the labor movement in the United States
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 804-e to read as follows:
§ 804-e. History of the labor movement curriculum or instruction. 1. The commissioner, in consultation with any appropriate agency, shall establish and/or revise the curriculum or instruction for school districts in the history of both organized and unorganized labor in the United States, expanding any current curriculum or instruction to include a more complete picture of labor history and information on what the labor movement looks like currently. The content of such curriculum or instruction shall be age appropriate and shall be developed according to the needs and abilities of pupils at successive grade levels in order to provide information and understanding of the history of both organized and unorganized labor in the United States.
2. Schools may include the above materials as a component of their social studies curriculum or any other way the school deems appropriate.
§ 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026 and shall apply to school years commencing on or after such date. 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.
LBD03934-01-5
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 commis- sioner of education to develop and implement an expanded curriculum or instruction on the history of the labor movement in the United States
Purpose
This bill instructs the State Education Commissioner to develop and implement an expanded set of instructional or curriculum materials on the history of the labor movement in the United States.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Adds a new section 804-e to the education law that instructs the commissioner, in consultation with any appropriate agency, to estab- lish and/or revise the curriculum or instruction for school districts in the history of both organized and unorganized labor in the United States, expanding and current curriculum or instruction to include a more complete picture of labor history and information on what the labor movement looks like currently. The content of such curriculum or instruction shall be age appropriate and shall be developed according to the needs and abilities of pupils at successive grade levels in order to provide information and understanding of the history of both organized and unorganized labor in the United States.
Read the full memo (610 words)
Schools may include these materials as a component of its social studies curriculum or any other way the school deems appropriate.
Section 2. Sets the effective date.
Justification
The history of labor in the United States is the history of the country itself; both organized and unorganized. Labor provides a clear picture of the struggles that have, and continue, to dominate the political and social landscape of the United States. A greater understanding of the conflicts that have led to union formation, the rights these organiza- tions fought for, the workers who have been marginalized due to a dimin- ished capacity to fight for their rights-because of racial, gender, ethnic discrimination-will provide a more nuanced take on labor history that isn't taught in schools. Currently, only two states have require that labor history be put into state model education standards: Wiscon- sin and Connecticut. Other states like California, New York, Massachu- setts have implemented labor history within learning frameworks to vary- ing degrees.
This bill seeks to create a more nuanced and complex reading of labor history, especially New York labor history, and how its lessons and conflicts mirror the struggles faced by workers presently. New. York has a particular rich history of labor activism. In 1827, the first all-wom- en strike in US history occurred in New York where the United Tailoress- es demanded better wages and workplace conditions. Just two years before, the United Tailoresses of New York established a national prece- dent by organizing into the first women union. The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire was a particular significant moment in New York history that brought national attention to the deplorable conditions endured by countless numbers of workers and led to the development of laws that ensured increased benefits and protections in the workplace. Painful moments in state history should also be brought to attention such as the 1863 New York City Draft Riots where over a thousand dock workers rioted against the Civil War Draft, specifically targeting black workers and citizens, leaving between 100 to 1000 people dead. To understand the current plight of workers in this country is to look back in time to the rights and protections workers fought for in the past.
Fiscal impact
To be determined.
Legislative history
2023-2024 - S.1254 (May)
2021-2022 - S.7939 (May) / A.1097 (Buttenschon)
2019-2020 - S.8808 (May) / A.10810 (Buttenschon)
Effective date
This act shall take effect July 1, 2025 and shall apply to school years commencing on or after such date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.