BILL NUMBER: S5523
SPONSOR: SANDERS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to the creation of a
pre-specialized high schools admissions test and preparation program
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To give students the opportunity to take a Pre-Specialized High School
Admissions Test (pre-SHSAT) in order to guide them as they prepare for
the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT).
 
SUMMARY OF MAIN PROVISIONS:
Section 1: adds a new subdivision 54 to section 2590-h of the education
law, to establish in conjunction with the New York City department of
education officials, a test preparation program for students in the
sixth grade culminating in a pre-specialized high schools admissions
test to be administered in May or June of each year.
Section 2: adds a new subdivision 39 to section 2590-h of the education
law, to establish in conjunction with the New York City department of
education officials, a test preparation program for students in the
sixth grade culminating in a pre-specialized high schools admissions
test to be administered in May or June of each year.
Section 3: is the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The Calandra-Hecht bill enacted in the New York State Legislature in
1971 ensured that admittance to specialized high schools in New York
City was determined via a standardized test to minimize discrimination
and admit students based entirely on merit. However, over the years the
test has evolved to the point where many parents spend large sums of
money on special tutoring classes and test prep for their children, thus
creating a disadvantage for low-income students, predominantly those who
are black or Latino. Admittance of black and Latino students to special-
ized high schools has been on the decline since the 1990's.
One way to level the playing field for these students is to establish a
PreSHSAT, where students and families would receive an analysis of their
results to determine areas in need of improvement in advance of the
SHSAT given in eighth grade. This test will enable students, their
parents and the schools to concentrate on areas that need improvement at
a time when it is possible to do so. Too often, students and their
parents find out about the SHSAT too late to adequately prepare for the
rigors of the test. Knowing early enables students to participate in
test prep programs provided by the New York City Department of Educa-
tion, like the DREAM program.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-22 REFERRED TO SENATE EDUCATION
2021-22 referred to assembly education
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
On the first of July next succeeding the date on which it shall have
become a law; provided the amendments to section 2590-h of the education
law, made by section one of this act, shall be subject to the expiration
and reversion of such section, pursuant to subdivision 12 of section 17
of chapter 345 of the laws of 2009, as amended, when upon such date the
provisions of section two of this act shall take effect. Effective imme-
diately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation
necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are
authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.

Statutes affected:
S5523: 2590-h education law