REGENTS PRIORITY LEGISLATION FOR 1998

ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, SECONDARY AND CONTINUING EDUCATION

RP- 1/98 Build School Capacity to Meet High Learning Standards

Regents Goals: 1,2,4,5 Program Goals: 1,2,3,4

Will make funding changes that support all students in achieving high learning standards.

• Strengthens funding for school district operations, especially for low-wealth school districts.
• Provides calendar flexibility for providing the 180-day school year.
• Provides increased support for extra session educational programs.
• Enacts standards implementation aid to help districts plan and implement high learning standards for all students.
• Increases support for library materials.
• Improves funding for students with special needs, including prevention and support services.
• Makes all school buildings adequate for learning.
• Continues current laws that build school capacity.
• Expands the Commissioner's powers regarding NYC facilities.
• Makes recommendations regarding project maintenance reserves and life cycles.

State Aid to School Districts

RP- 2/98 Workforce Development

Regents Goals: 1, 2, 4 Program Goals: 1, 2, 3

Placeholder: Pending recommendations from joint SED/DOL Workforce Development System effort. There may be a need for legislation on governance and systems operations. We will be expected to advance such legislation as co-sponsor with DOL and possibly as part of the Governor’s program in the area of workforce development.

VOCATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

RP-3/98 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Omnibus Bill

Regents Goal: 1 Program Goals: 1

Will amend Education Law to ensure conformity with the 1997 amendments of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

• Expands definition of related services
• Establishes new evaluation and reevaluation procedures
• Adds requirements concerning content of IEP and membership of committees/ subcommittees on special education
• Conforms NYS's due process procedures to federal requirements
• Describes procedures concerning the discipline of students with disabilities

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RP- 4/98 - Special Education Space in Integrated Settings

Regents Goal: 4 Program Goal: 2

Will amend Education Law to ensure the stability and continuity of program placements for students with disabilities and to ensure that programs and services administered by BOCES and located in public school buildings will not be relocated without adequate consideration of the needs of participating students with disabilities.

• Increases integrated opportunities for students with disabilities
• Provides aid as an incentive to construct/reconstruct space which will allow students with disabilities to be educated in an integrated environment

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CULTURAL EDUCATION

RP-5/8 Electronic Doorway Library Services

Regents Goals: 1, 4, 5 Programs Goals: 1, 4, 5

Will amend the Education Law in relation to providing State aid to libraries and library systems to support the development of electronic doorway library service programs and making an appropriation therefor, which will greatly expand library services to the public.

• Provides State aid for electronic doorway library services development.
• Provides formula funds to all three types of library systems for cooperative electronic services, staff training, and technical expertise.
• Establishes demonstration grants for cooperation in the use of emerging technologies, applications development, technical expertise, and training.
• Makes an appropriation.

(Estimated State cost: First year - $ ; first full year - $ ; fifth year - $ )

HIGHER EDUCATION

RP- 6/98 Teaching Task Force

Regents Goals: 1, 2, 3 Programs Goals: 3, 4

Placeholder: Possibility of several proposals that will probably be focused around recruitment and retention.

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