NY State Senate Bill 2023-S285

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Education Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Actions

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	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Jan 03, 2024	referred to education
Jan 04, 2023	referred to education

co-Sponsors

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2023-S285 (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A1502
Current Committee:: Senate Education
Law Section:: Education Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §3204, Ed L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2019-2020: S5770, A9660
2021-2022: S4525, A1788

2023-S285 (ACTIVE) - Summary

Adds arts and music education as a common school branch that should be incorporated into the public school curriculum to provide a more well-rounded education for children.

2023-S285 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S285

SPONSOR: MAY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the education law, in relation to adding arts and music
education into the curriculum for public school students

 
PURPOSE:

Ensure arts and music education are incorporated into the public school
curriculum for all students.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 sets for the legislative intent that discusses the importance
of arts and music education.

Section 2 amends sub paragraphs 1 and 2 of subdivision 3 of § 3204 of
the Education Law to include arts and music education as a required
course of study in 1st through 8th grade as well into high school.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

While New York State Education Department regulations dictate arts and
music education, it is not a statutory requirement. As a result, during
times of fiscal difficulties, school districts may look to reduce arts
and music classes in order to achieve budgetary savings regardless of
the importance of these courses for child development.

There have been numerous research studies similar to one released in
2012 by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) entitled The Arts and
Achievement in At-Risk Youth: Findings from Four Longitudinal Studies
that document measured academic success and future civic engagement of
students, particularly those who are at-risk, when they actively partic-
ipate in arts programming. Along with these types of successes, this
study documented that at-risk students with an "in-depth arts involve-
ment" had higher career aspirations and were more likely to pursue high-
er education. Along with student engagement, music and arts programming
offered in schools improves participation and aids in the development of
critical thinking and creative problem solving.

For many years, the national educational focus has been on
"STEM"-Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Educational advocates
are now realizing the importance of adding Arts to the discussion. STEAM
education provides a more holistic approach that reflects the need for
students to develop both creative and analytical skills.

This legislation recognizes the importance of arts and music programs in
public schools and will ensure that all of New York's school-aged chil-
dren have equal access to these critical learning opportunities.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2021-2022 - S.4525 (May) / A.1788 (Jean-Pierre)

2019-2020 - S.5770 (Metzger) / A.9660 (Jean-Pierre)

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

2023-S285 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                    285
 
                        2023-2024 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                                (PREFILED)
 
                              January 4, 2023
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by Sens. MAY, ADDABBO, BORRELLO, COONEY, GALLIVAN, HARCKHAM,
   HELMING, HINCHEY, HOYLMAN, JACKSON, MANNION, MYRIE, OBERACKER,  PALUM-
   BO,  PERSAUD, SALAZAR, SEPULVEDA, STAVISKY, THOMAS, WEIK -- 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 adding arts and  music
   education into the curriculum for public school students
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Legislative intent. The legislature hereby finds that  arts
 and  music education exposure has developmental benefits to children and
 adolescents, and is an essential component to providing  a  well-rounded
 education to all of the state of New York's public school students. Past
 studies have shown that arts and music education has a significant posi-
 tive   impact  on  all  students,  including  traditionally  underserved
 students. It is the legislature's intent to ensure that arts  and  music
 education shall be incorporated into the public school curriculum.
   §  2. Subparagraphs 1 and 2 of paragraph a of subdivision 3 of section
 3204 of the education law, subparagraph 1 as amended by  chapter  14  of
 the  laws  of  1958  and subparagraph 2 as amended by chapter 124 of the
 laws of 1951, are amended to read as follows:
   (1) The course of study for the first eight years of full time  public
 day schools shall provide for instruction in at least the [twelve] THIR-
 TEEN  common  school branches of arithmetic, reading, spelling, writing,
 the English language, geography, United States history, civics, hygiene,
 ARTS AND MUSIC, physical training, the history of  New  York  state  and
 science.
   (2)  The courses of study and of specialized training beyond the first
 eight years of full time public day schools shall provide  for  instruc-
 tion  in  at least the English language and its use, in civics, hygiene,
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                            LBD00469-01-3
 S. 285                              2
 
 physical training, ARTS AND MUSIC, and American  history  including  the
 principles  of  government proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence
 and established by the constitution of the United States.
   § 3. This act shall take effect immediately.

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Senate Bill S285

Sponsored By

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Education Committee

co-Sponsors

2023-S285 (ACTIVE) - Details

2023-S285 (ACTIVE) - Summary

2023-S285 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2023-S285 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments

Senate Bill S285

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Sponsored By

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Education Committee

co-Sponsors

2023-S285 (ACTIVE) - Details

2023-S285 (ACTIVE) - Summary

2023-S285 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2023-S285 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments