BILL NUMBER: S1072
SPONSOR: SERRANO
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to directing the commis-
sioner of education to require public school districts to report on
compliance with art education instruction requirements
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF THE BILL:
Directs the commissioner of education to conduct an audit and report on
statewide compliance with state instructional regulations for arts
education.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
The commissioner of the State Education Department is required to
conduct a statewide audit of compliance for art, instruction.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
According to Part 100 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Educa-
tion, students are to receive instruction designed to facilitate the
attainment of the state elementary learning standards in the arts,
including dance, music, theater, and visual arts. The instructional
requirements track the percentage of weekly school time allocated to the
arts at the elementary level, units of study at the intermediate and
commencement levels, and availability of three or five-unit sequences in
the arts at the commencement level. Furthermore, it is recommended that
instruction be provided by a licensed arts teacher.
As there is no comprehensive accounting of arts instruction provided by
the state's public schools, it is not clear if schools and districts are
in compliance with the state regulations. In New York City, where
reporting on arts education offerings began after the 2005-2007 school
year, provided by the New York City Department of Education for the
2007-2008 school year revealed that only 8% of elementary schools were
in a position to provide the minimum that is required by the State of
New York by offering all four art forms in each grade. Additionally,
less than half of New York City middle schools are ensuring that all
students are completing the state requirements. This bill is an impor-
tant step towards ensuring that the arts are a significant part of our
youth is learning experience.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S260 - Passed he Senae. Delivered to Assembly
2021-2022: S.1354 - Passed the Senate. Delivered to Assembly.
2020: S.179a - Amended and recommitted to Education
2019: S.179 - Passed Senate
2017-2018: S3087- Passed Senate. Delivered to Assembly.
2015-2016: S703A-Amended and recommitted to Education
2013-2014: S.1029A-Referred to Education
2011-2012: S.3602-Referred to Education
2009-2010: S.5878-Referred to Rules
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.