BILL NUMBER: S7984

SPONSOR: STAVISKY
 
TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the education law, in relation to
school districts screening for gifted and talented students

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 305 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision
57 to require the commissioner to require all school districts to screen
for gifted and talented students prior to entering third grade. Notice
of such screening will be provided to the parent or guardian of each
student, shall be printed in a clear and conspicuous manner, and shall
describe the screening methods. The parent or guardian will be given the
opportunity to opt out of the screening by checking the box "do not
screen my child."

 
JUSTIFICATION:

New York State does not mandate cognitive assessments of schoolchildren
by educational administrators. Yet, cognitive assessments-such as the
              

Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)-remain credible tools for ascertaining
levels of acuity in children.  Administrators and teachers use these
assessments to tailor instruction to particular developmental strengths
and needs so crucial to cognitive development and academic success
(particularly on standardized examinations). Cognitive assessment tools
have the potential for improving access to specialized instruction and
enhancing academic achievement especially among socioeconomically disad-
vantaged populations.

In 2015, the School Board of Broward County, Florida, issued a report
entitled "The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT): Screening for Gifted-
ness, Predicting Achievements, and Informing Differentiated Instruc-
tion." That report showed that 643 second grade students not previously
identified as gifted met the CogAT score criteria for consideration for
gifted services. It also identified 84% of these students as being from
under-represented populations.

By requiring cognitive assessment of schoolchildren early in their
education, this bill would elevate such assessment methods as normative
and credible instruments of cognitive development and improved academic
performance among diverse student populations.  Testing all children
would give those students especially those who do not have an actively
engaged parent or guardian the opportunity to benefit from enhanced
instruction based on test results.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

This is a new bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect 180 days after it is enacted.