S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
8196--A
2011-2012 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
June 6, 2011
___________
Introduced by M. of A. BENEDETTO, N. RIVERA -- read once and referred to
the Committee on Education -- recommitted to the Committee on Educa-
tion in accordance with Assembly Rule 3, sec. 2 -- committee
discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted
to said committee
AN ACT in relation to establishing the task force to explore the incor-
poration of the principles of universal design for learning into the
education systems in the state; and providing for the repeal of such
provision upon expiration thereof
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. There is hereby created a task force to explore the incor-
poration of the principles of universal design for learning into the
education systems in New York.
S 2. (a) The membership of the task force shall be as follows: one
member of the senate, appointed by the temporary president of the
senate; one member of the assembly, appointed by the speaker of the
assembly; the commissioner of education, or the commissioner's designee;
the chancellor of the state university system, or the chancellor's
designee; the superintendent of the New York state school for the blind,
or the superintendent's designee; the superintendent of the New York
state school for the deaf, or the superintendent's designee; three
representatives of the department of education from different divisions
or bureaus, each appointed by the assistant or associate commissioner of
the represented division or bureau, of whom: one representative shall
have expertise in special education, one representative shall have
expertise in instruction; and one representative shall have expertise in
assessments and accountability; one board of cooperative educational
services superintendent; five public school teachers who teach in the
state of whom: three teachers shall be general educators, one each from
an elementary, a middle, and a high school, one teacher shall be certi-
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11847-03-2
A. 8196--A 2
fied in special education, and one teacher shall be certified in
instruction to students with limited English proficiency; one member of
the state university of New York administration, appointed by the chan-
cellor of the state university; and five members appointed by the gover-
nor, at least one of whom has expertise in universal design for learn-
ing.
(b) The governor shall designate the chair of the task force.
(c) Members of the task force shall not receive any compensation but
shall be reimbursed for their actual, necessary expenditures.
(d) Members of the task force shall serve at the pleasure of the
person who appointed them and may be removed at anytime, without cause.
Any vacancy on the task force shall be filled in the same manner as the
original appointment.
(e) The department of education shall provide staff for the task
force.
S 3. All departments or agencies of the state or subdivisions thereof,
and local governments shall, at the request of the chair, provide the
task force such facilities, assistance, and data as will enable the task
force to carry out its powers and duties.
S 4. The task force may meet and hold public and/or private hearings
within the regions of the state, and shall have all the powers of an
executive body pursuant to the executive law.
S 5. The task force shall:
(a) study the effectiveness of universal design for learning to:
(i) provide flexibility in the ways information is presented, students
respond or demonstrate knowledge and skills and students are engaged;
and
(ii) reduce barriers in instruction and provide appropriate accommo-
dations, supports, and challenges while maintaining high achievement
expectations for all students, including students with disabilities and
students with limited English proficiency;
(b) study the feasibility of:
(i) incorporating and applying the principles of universal design for
learning into the elementary, secondary, and postsecondary and higher
education systems in the state with respect to curriculum development;
the evaluation, selection, and design of textbooks and other instruc-
tional materials; the purchase and use of technology for instructional
purposes; teacher preparation and staff development; the development of
classroom, district, and statewide assessments; and state grants; and
(ii) evaluating the effect of universal design for learning on student
outcomes;
(c) make recommendations relating to how school districts and boards
of cooperative educational services may incorporate the best practices
and principles of universal design for learning through the development
of local school system policies and procedures, including but not limit-
ed to local educational goals, teaching methods, instructional materials
and assessments.
S 6. The task force shall make a report of its findings to the gover-
nor, the temporary president of the senate and the speaker of the assem-
bly, and the chairs of the assembly and senate education committees
within six months of the date of the task force's first meeting. Such
report shall include any recommendations for further action as the task
force deems necessary.
S 7. This act shall take effect September 1, 2012 and shall expire and
be deemed repealed one year after such date.