What's happening
This bill establishes a task force to study and report on the educational impacts of pandemic-related remote learning in New York.
Why it matters
Addresses both academic and social-emotional impacts. The task force will not only examine regression in core academic subjects like reading, math, and science, but will also study effects on mental health, speech development (such as the impact of masking), and overall standardized test performance, offering a holistic view of remote learning’s consequences.
Focuses on equity and disparities. By specifically requiring analysis of how pandemic learning loss affected minority versus non-minority communities, the bill seeks to uncover and possibly address educational inequalities that may have been worsened by remote learning.
Brings together diverse educational stakeholders. The task force will include representatives from state government, teachers’ unions, school boards, and charter schools, which may help ensure a range of perspectives and potentially more balanced recommendations.
Sets a clear timeline for accountability. With a required public report to the Governor and Legislature due by the end of 2025, the bill establishes a deadline for concrete findings and recommendations, potentially informing future education policy and interventions.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Study Pandemic Learning Loss
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
834
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by Sen. TEDISCO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to establish a task force on pandemic learning loss in New York state; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. 1. Task force on pandemic learning loss in New York state. There is hereby established a task force on pandemic learning loss in New York state. The purpose of the task force shall be to conduct a comprehensive study on the impacts of remote learning on children enrolled in pre-kindergarten, elementary, and secondary education during the COVID-19 pandemic, including but not limited to:
(a) how much regression in reading has occurred;
(b) how much regression in math has occurred;
(c) how much regression in science has occurred;
(d) how many students were disenrolled from schooling;
(e) the impact of masking on speech development;
(f) the impact of remote learning on children's mental health;
(g) the impact of remote learning on standardized test scores;
(h) the effectiveness of remote-learning compared to classroom-based learning; and
(i) the disparity of the impact on minority communities compared to the impact of remote learning on non-minority communities.
2. The task force shall consist of twelve members to be appointed as follows:
(a) three members appointed by the Governor;
(b) the Commissioner of Education;
(c) one member appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly;
(d) one member appointed by the Temporary President of the Senate;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02777-01-5
(e) one member appointed by the Assembly Minority Leader;
(f) one member appointed by the Senate Minority Leader;
(g) one member of New York State United Teachers;
(h) one member of the New York State School Boards Association; and
(i) two members, appointed by the Governor, representing charter schools.
3. The members of the task force shall designate one of the members as chair of the task force. All appointments of the members of the task force shall be made no later than thirty days after the effective date of this act. Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority. The members of the task force shall receive no compensation for their services, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties pursuant to this act.
4. The task force shall make a report to the Governor and the Legislature of its findings, conclusions, and recommendations on or before December 31, 2025.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed January 1, 2026.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to establish a task force on pandemic learning loss in New York state; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon the expira- tion thereof
Purpose
Establishes a task force on pandemic learning loss in New York state; and provides for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration ther- eof
Summary of provisions
§ 1. 1. Task force on pandemic learning loss in New York state. There is hereby established a task force on pandemic learning loss in New York state. The purpose of the task force shall be to conduct a comprehensive study on the impacts of remote learning on children enrolled in pre-kin- dergarten, elementary, and secondary education during the COVID-19 pandemic, including but not limited to:
(a) how much regression in reading has occurred;
(b) how much regression in math has occurred;
(c) how much regression in science has occurred;
(d) how many students were disenrolled from schooling;
(e) the impact of masking on speech development;
(f) the impact of remote learning on children's mental health;
(g) the impact of remote learning on standardized test scores;
(h) the effectiveness of remote-learning compared to classroom-based learning; and
(i) the disparity of the impact on minority communities compared to the impact of remote learning on non-minority communities.
2. The task force shall consist of twelve remote members to be appointed as follows:
(a) three members appointed by the Governor;
(b) the Commissioner of Education;
(c) one member appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly;
(d) one member appointed by the Temporary President of the Senate;
(e) one member appointed by the Assembly Minority Leader;
(f) one member appointed by the Senate Minority Leader;
(g) one member of New York State United Teachers;
(h) one member of the New York State School Boards Association; and
(i) two members, appointed by the Governor, representing charter schools.
3. The members of the task force shall designate one of the members as chair of the task force. All appointments of the members of the task force shall be made no later than thirty days after the effective date of this act. Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority.
The members of the task force shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties pursuant to this act.
4. The task force shall make a report to the Governor and the Legisla- ture of its findings, conclusions, and recommendations on or before December 31, 2024.
Justification
The COVID-19 pandemic generated many challenges for New York State's student population as they navigated virtual learning, a disruption in their routine and mental health impacts of isolation from teachers and fellow classmates.
As a result, statistics show students are falling behind in the class- room and are still playing catch up several years later. This measure establishes a task force to study the impact of learning loss and suggest policies to bring students up to grade level and mitigate simi- lar negative outcomes in the event of a future outbreak.
Legislative history
02/15/24: S.8571 REFERRED TO EDUCATION
Fiscal implications
Minimal
Effective date
This act shall take efect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed January 1, 2026.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.