Establishes the differentiated learning environment task force, to conduct a comprehensive study on the way colleges and universities are preparing future teachers to work in urban settings and to offer differentiated classrooms.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
4966
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 17, 2023
___________
Introduced by Sen. JACKSON -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to establish the differentiated learning environment task force;
and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration there-
of
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The legislature hereby establishes the differentiated
2 learning environment task force, referred to hereinafter as the "task
3 force", to conduct a comprehensive study on the way colleges and univer-
4 sities are preparing future teachers to work in urban settings and to
5 offer differentiated classrooms.
6 § 2. For the purposes of this act the following terms shall have the
7 following meanings:
8 (a) "Differentiated learning environment" shall mean learning methods
9 designed to address individual students' diverse learning needs; and
10 (b) "Language-based learning differences" shall mean developmental or
11 learning disabilities where a student has a problem or problems with
12 age-appropriate reading, spelling, writing and/or math.
13 § 3. Such task force shall consist of eleven members with demonstrated
14 experience in issues relating to the work of the task force. The members
15 of the task force shall be appointed as follows:
16 (a) two members shall be appointed by the governor;
17 (b) two members shall be appointed by the temporary president of the
18 senate;
19 (c) two members shall be appointed by the speaker of the assembly;
20 (d) one member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the assem-
21 bly;
22 (e) one member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the
23 senate;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01958-01-3
S. 4966 2
1 (f) two members shall be appointed by the chancellor of the board of
2 regents; and
3 (g) one member shall be the commissioner of the department of educa-
4 tion or their designee.
5 § 4. The task force shall be chaired by the commissioner of the
6 department of education or their designee. Members of the task force
7 shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed
8 for their actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in
9 the work of the task force.
10 § 5. Appointments shall be made within 60 days of the effective date
11 of this act. Any vacancies in the membership of the task force shall be
12 filled in the same manner provided for in the initial appointment.
13 § 6. The task force may consult with any organization, government
14 entity, or person, in the development of its report required under
15 section seven of this act.
16 § 7. On or before one year after the effective date of this act, the
17 task force shall submit to the governor, the temporary president of the
18 senate, the speaker of the assembly, the minority leader of the senate
19 and the minority leader of the assembly a report containing, but not
20 limited to:
21 (a) A dual certification process for teachers to be certified in both
22 special education and language-based learning differences; and
23 (b) A comprehensive professional development training program for
24 persons who are teachers and those who are studying to be teachers to
25 learn the basics of differentiated learning environments.
26 § 8. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire 24 months
27 after it shall have become a law when upon such date the provisions of
28 this act shall be deemed repealed.
