S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   10946
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                              August 17, 2020
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  COMMITTEE  ON RULES -- (at request of M. of A. Simon) --
   read once and referred to the Committee on Education
 
 AN ACT to establish the differentiated learning environment task  force;
   and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration there-
   of
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

   Section 1.  The  legislature  hereby  establishes  the  differentiated
 learning  environment  task  force, referred to hereinafter as the "task
 force", to conduct a comprehensive study on the way colleges and univer-
 sities are preparing future teachers to work in urban  settings  and  to
 offer differentiated classrooms.
   §  2.  For the purposes of this act the following terms shall have the
 following meanings:
   (a) "Differentiated learning environment" shall mean learning  methods
 designed to address individual students' diverse learning needs; and
   (b)  "Language-based learning differences" shall mean developmental or
 learning disabilities where a student has a  problem  or  problems  with
 age-appropriate reading, spelling, writing and/or math.
   § 3. Such task force shall consist of eleven members with demonstrated
 experience in issues relating to the work of the task force. The members
 of the task force shall be appointed as follows:
   (a) two members shall be appointed by the governor;
   (b)  two  members shall be appointed by the temporary president of the
 senate;
   (c) two members shall be appointed by the speaker of the assembly;
   (d) one member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the assem-
 bly;
   (e) one member shall be  appointed  by  the  minority  leader  of  the
 senate;
   (f)  two  members shall be appointed by the chancellor of the board of
 regents; and
   (g) one member shall be the commissioner of the department  of  educa-
 tion or their designee.
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
              

                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD14610-02-9

 A. 10946                            2
 
   §  4.  The  task  force  shall  be  chaired by the commissioner of the
 department of education or their designee. Members  of  the  task  force
 shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed
 for their actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in
 the work of the task force.
   §  5.  Appointments shall be made within 60 days of the effective date
 of this act. Any vacancies in the membership of the task force shall  be
 filled in the same manner provided for in the initial appointment.
   §  6.  The  task  force  may consult with any organization, government
 entity, or person, in the  development  of  its  report  required  under
 section seven of this act.
   §  7.  On or before one year after the effective date of this act, the
 task force shall submit to the governor, the temporary president of  the
 senate,  the  speaker of the assembly, the minority leader of the senate
 and the minority leader of the assembly a  report  containing,  but  not
 limited to:
   (a)  A dual certification process for teachers to be certified in both
 special education and language-based learning differences; and
   (b) A comprehensive  professional  development  training  program  for
 persons  who  are  teachers and those who are studying to be teachers to
 learn the basics of differentiated learning environments.
   § 8. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire 24 months
 after it shall have become a law when upon such date the  provisions  of
 this act shall be deemed repealed.