BILL NUMBER: S5550
SPONSOR: CLEARE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to authorizing high
school students to vote on city-wide education councils regardless of
age
 
PURPOSE:
To allow students to vote on community education councils.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
This bill would increase the number of student members on the community
education councils and give them voting power.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Currently, students are permitted to serve on the council but lack
voting rights, resulting in only 2 student representatives across the 32
community education councils in the 5 boroughs. Expanding the number of
students on the Community Education Council (CEC) and granting them
voting privileges could significantly improve the council's effective-
ness and inclusivity. By allowing students to vote, the CEC ensures
direct representation of student perspectives and needs in decision-mak-
ing, fostering a student-centered approach to education governance.
Student members, equipped with firsthand experiences and diverse view-
points, Would actively shape educational policies, encouraging a sense
of ownership and responsibility among their peers. If enacted this also
will help with civic engagement because at a smaller scale, students
would be able to help create policy and correct false narratives and
this would allow them to see that their voice matters.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill
 
STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.

Statutes affected:
S5550: 2590-c education law, 2590-c(1) education law