S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   5563
 
                        2017-2018 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                              April 12, 2017
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen. ADDABBO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Education
 
 AN ACT directing the commissioner of education to create a pilot program
   to improve social and emotional learning in schools; and providing for
   the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof

   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  (a)  The  commissioner of education is hereby directed to
 establish a pilot program aimed at improving social and emotional learn-
 ing. Each school system or district in the state  shall  participate  by
 establishing  such  pilot  program  in  at least one school within their
 system or district. Each school system or district shall establish  such
 pilot program within twelve months of the effective date of this act.
   (b)  The program shall be administered through a contract with outside
 entities that have been identified by the commissioner of education as a
 community based organization that:
   (1) utilizes a social and emotional learning curriculum that: (i)  has
 already  been  successfully tested in rural and urban schools within the
 state, (ii) includes a volunteerism component, (iii) is  listed  in  the
 United  States  Department of Education's What Works Clearinghouse, (iv)
 has high ratings  from  the  Collaborative  for  Academic,  Social,  and
 Emotional Learning, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, The Center for
 Substance  Abuse  Prevention and The National Registry of Evidence-based
 Programs and Practices and (v) has specific plans  targeting  prekinder-
 garten through twelfth grade, that can be incorporated into other estab-
 lished subject lesson plans or be its own standalone lesson plan;
   (2)  utilizes  social  influence  and  social  cognitive approaches in
 developing social-emotional competencies, citizenship  skills,  positive
 character,  skills  and attitudes consistent with a drug-free lifestyle,
 and service to others within a caring and consistent environment;

  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD10596-01-7
              

 S. 5563                             2
 
   (3) utilizes a learning model  which  employs  inquiry,  presentation,
 discussion,   group   work,   guided   practice,  service-learning,  and
 reflection to accomplish the desired outcomes;
   (4)  has  prior  experience  with  New  York  state teachers and staff
 professional development; and
   (5) is  supported  by  community  based  organizations  and  volunteer
 service organizations.
   (c)  The  department  of  education shall conduct an evaluation of the
 pilot program and shall submit a final report by July 15,  2021  to  the
 governor and the legislature.
   § 2. Funding for the social and emotional learning pilot program shall
 be provided through appropriations to the department of education.
   §  3.  This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that
 this act shall expire and be deemed repealed August 1, 2021.