BILL NUMBER: S8528
SPONSOR: FAHY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to establishing a pilot
learner engagement and attendance program of New York (LEAP-NY) in
certain school districts of the state
 
PURPOSE:
Establishes a pilot learner engagement and attendance program in certain
school districts of the state
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. amends the education law by adding a new section 3214-a to
establish the' Learner Engagement and Attendance Program of New York
(LEAP-NY). Provides for district eligibility, selection, funding, and
programmatic aspects of the initiative.
Section 2. Sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Chronic absenteeism remains one of the most significant barriers to
student learning and graduation in New York State. According to the
State Comptroller, approximately one in three students statewide were
chronically absent during the 2022 23 school year, meaning they missed
at least 10 percent of instructional days. These absences are often
driven by factors beyond a student's control, such as transportation
barriers, unstable housing, unmet health or mental health needs, or
caregiving responsibilities.
The Learner Engagement and Attendance Program of New York (LEAP-NY)
establishes a pilot to test evidence-based, supportive approaches to
improving attendance. By pairing schools with family engagement staff
and community partners, the program will help districts identify the
root causes of absenteeism and connect families with resources before
problems escalate. This collaborative, preventive model aims to
strengthen student engagement and academic recovery statewide while
reducing reliance on punitive attendance enforcement. The pilot will
allow the State Education Department to evaluate which strategies most
effectively reduce absenteeism and improve family engagement, providing
a data-driven foundation for future statewide policy.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect one year after it shall have become a law.