Relates to delaying the implementation of class size reduction plans and including additional exemptions to class size targets; provides such plans shall begin in September 2031 and be achieved by September 2036; adds gifted and talented schools and programs, screened admissions schools and programs, portfolio and specialized high schools and advanced placement classes; requires parents at each respective school be included on any discussions regarding class size exemptions.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
6236
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 7, 2025
___________
Introduced by Sen. CHAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on New York City Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to delaying the implemen-
tation of class size reduction plans and including additional
exemptions to class size targets
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Clauses (A) and (B) of subparagraph (ii) of paragraph b of
2 subdivision 2 of section 211-d of the education law, clause (A) as
3 amended by chapter 86 of the laws of 2023 and clause (B) as amended by
4 chapter 556 of the laws of 2022, are amended to read as follows:
5 (A) In a city school district in a city having a population of one
6 million or more inhabitants such contract shall also include a plan,
7 which shall be developed in collaboration with the collective bargaining
8 units representing teachers and the principals beginning in September
9 two thousand twenty-two and signed off on by the chancellor and the
10 presidents of each bargaining unit, to reduce actual class sizes, begin-
11 ning September two thousand [twenty-three] thirty-one and to be achieved
12 by September two thousand [twenty-eight] thirty-six for all classes,
13 with the exception of physical education and performing groups, as
14 follows: (1) kindergarten-third grade to have no more than twenty
15 students per class; (2) fourth-eighth grade to have no more than twen-
16 ty-three students per class; and (3) high school to have no more than
17 twenty-five students per class. Physical education and performing groups
18 shall have no more than forty students per class at all levels. Each
19 year of the plan, an additional twenty percent of the classrooms in the
20 city school district, excluding special education classes, shall be in
21 compliance with the class size targets such that the city school
22 district is in full compliance by two thousand [twenty-eight] thirty-six
23 and all classes should maintain the target class size. The class size
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10276-01-5
S. 6236 2
1 reduction plan shall prioritize schools serving populations with higher
2 poverty levels.
3 (B) The class size reduction plan shall include any exemptions to the
4 class size targets. These exemptions shall be limited to: (1) space; (2)
5 over-enrolled students; (3) license area shortages; [and] (4) severe
6 economic distress; (5) gifted and talented schools and programs; (6)
7 screened admissions schools and programs; (7) portfolio and specialized
8 high schools; and (8) advanced placement classes. Through school lead-
9 ership teams at each respective school, parents shall be included in any
10 discussions and decisions regarding such class size exemptions. Any such
11 exemptions shall be approved by the chancellor and the presidents of the
12 collective bargaining units representing the teachers and the principals
13 as part of the class size reduction plan. Should the chancellor and the
14 presidents of the collective bargaining units representing the teachers
15 and the principals be unable to reach agreement on the exemptions after
16 thirty days, the issue shall be determined by an arbitrator. In addi-
17 tion, any exemption based on available space shall include a reference
18 to the capital budget to demonstrate that the budget is aligned with
19 resolving the exemption status. Exempted classes, for the years in which
20 they are exempt, and special education classes shall not count toward
21 the twenty percent target.
22 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
