BILL NUMBER: S6825
SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law and the tax law, in relation to enact-
ing the public education racial equity and diversity act
 
PURPOSE:
The proposed measures aim is to promote equity in diversity in education
by addressing the current shortage of teachers and education leaders
from historically underrepresented communities in New York public
schools. This bill will amend New York state education law to expand
student loan forgiveness eligibility to minority teachers; establish an
alternative, school-based teacher certification pathway; and amend the
tax law to create a 100% state and local income tax exemption for eligi-
ble minority teachers serving in significantly high-need schools.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 enacts the Public Education Racial Equity and Diversity act
quot;
Section 2 changes section 679-j of the education law: NYS law currently
allows teachers in shortage Subject areas and hard to staff districts to
apply for student loan forgiveness of up to $5,000 a year and $20,000 in
total. To increase the number of teachers in New York State who meet the
definition of minority group members, the proposed legislative change
adds minority teachers to the list of groups eligible for student loan
forgiveness, raises the annual ceiling on loan relief to $10,000 a year,
and eliminates the maximum amount of loan relief a teacher can receive.
Section 3 amends education law to add sections 3004-d, 3004-e, and
3004f: To help address the current shortage of teachers from histor-
ically underrepresented communities, this proposition grants both char-
ter and district schools an alternative school-based teacher certif-
ication path-way for minority teachers. The mechanism presented this
document draws from a school-based alternative certification framework
proposed by SUNY in mid-2017, which allows charters to submit applica-
tions to their authorizers to run their own school-based alternative
certification programs. To address the current shortage of teachers from
historically underrepresented backgrounds in communities with the high-
est need, this proposition would create an. 100% state and local income
tax exemption for eligible minority teachers serving significantly high-
need schools. The mechanism presented in this document draws from a 2019
bill to amend the tax law to exempt firefighters from income taxes and
incorporates ethnic and school designations codified elsewhere in state
law.
Section 5 establishes severability.
Section 6 establishes the effective date of 60 days after this bill is
signed into law.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The Public Education Racial Equity and Diversity Act (READ Act) intro-
duces three legislative changes to promote equity and diversity in
educational leadership, increase the number of educators from histor-
ically underrepresented communities, and expand the workforce of teach-
ers who meet the ethnic definition of minority group members. Despite
over 55% of New York's K-12 students being people of color, only 18% of
educators reflect this diversity, contributing to disparities in academ-
ic achievement and representation. Research shows that classrooms led by
diverse teachers foster positive outcomes, including reduced dropout
rates and higher college enrollment. The READ Act addresses these
disparities through targeted reforms: expanding loan forgiveness, creat-
ing alternative certification pathways, and offering a 100% income tax
exemption for teachers in high-need schools. By supporting minority
educators and fostering culturally relevant classrooms, the READ Act
aims to enhance student outcomes and ensure a more equitable education
system in New York education.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
This bill is an amended version of S4101 of 2023-2024
2023: S4101 Comrie
2022: S9225 Comrie
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
TBD
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S6825: 679-j education law