BILL NUMBER: S7644
SPONSOR: ASHBY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to establishing a New
York state English as a new language teaching assistance program
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To assist school districts with educating new students who are non-Engl-
ish speakers.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Creates the "New York State English As a New Language Assist-
ance Program" to eligible SUNY students who can pass a bilingual educa-
tion assessment exam, and who completes 40 school days in a student-
teacher role beside an English-as-a-New-Language teacher. Upon
completion, a recipient would receive an annual award payment for full-
time study equal to the annual tuition charged to a NYS resident student
attending an undergraduate program at the State University of New York
(SUNY).
Section 2 This act shall take effect immediately.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
More and more school districts need assistance teaching English-as-a-New
Language (ENL) students. This bill creates an incentive for student-
teachers to spend their hours needed for their certificates with an ENL
teacher supervisor. Similar to the current law "NYS Math and Science
Teaching Incentive Program", this bill would award SUNY students with a
free year's tuition.By incentivizing more students to assist ENL teach-
ers, school districts will be better able to both welcome and educate
non-English speakers.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
None.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.