S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
S. 2923 A. 4265
2015-2016 Regular Sessions
S E N A T E - A S S E M B L Y
January 30, 2015
___________
IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sens. ADDABBO, SAMPSON -- read twice and
ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on
Education
IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. THIELE, AUBRY, JAFFEE, SCARBOR-
OUGH, TITONE -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. MAGNARELLI, McDONOUGH
-- read once and referred to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to requiring school
districts to establish programs for gifted and twice-exceptional
pupils
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 4454
to read as follows:
S 4454. GIFTED AND TALENTED PROGRAM. 1. EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THIS
STATE SHALL ESTABLISH A DISTRICT-WIDE GIFTED AND TALENTED PROGRAM FOR
PUPILS WHO MEET THE CRITERIA ESTABLISHED IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION
FORTY-FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO OF THIS ARTICLE, AND SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE
FOR ENSURING THAT APPROPRIATE INSTRUCTIONAL ADAPTATIONS INCLUDING, BUT
NOT LIMITED TO GIFTED IEPS (GIEPS) DEVELOPED BY CERTIFIED GIFTED AND
TALENTED LEARNING SPECIALISTS, DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTION, CONTACT TIME,
SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, ACADEMIC GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING, AND
CONTENT-BASED ACCELERATION, ARE DESIGNED AND DELIVERED FOR SUCH PUPILS.
2. EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL ESTABLISH AN ONGOING IDENTIFICATION
PROCESS FOR GIFTED PUPILS, INCLUDING TWICE-EXCEPTIONAL PUPILS, INITIATED
IN PRE-KINDERGARTEN AND REVIEWED ANNUALLY THROUGH GRADE TWELVE. THE
SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL ENSURE THAT THE IDENTIFICATION METHODOLOGY EMPLOYS
MULTIFACETED CRITERIA CONSISTENT WITH RECOMMENDED PRACTICES IN THE
FIELD, AND IS DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE, NON-DISCRIMINATORY, AND
RELATED TO THE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES OFFERED.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07825-01-5
S. 2923 2 A. 4265
3. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROVIDE EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT WITH CURRICULUM
FRAMEWORKS WHICH SHALL SUGGEST A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES AND STRATEGIES
THAT MAY ASSIST IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL CURRICULA FOR GIFTED AND
TWICE-EXCEPTIONAL PUPILS. SUCH FRAMEWORKS SHALL ADDRESS ADAPTATIONS
THAT ARE EDUCATIONALLY CHALLENGING FOR GIFTED AND TWICE-EXCEPTIONAL
PUPILS IN CORE SUBJECT AREAS AS IDENTIFIED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
4. IN ADDITION, THE SCHOOL BOARDS OF EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL
PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRAM EVALUATION, DIFFERENTIATED
INSTRUCTION, CONTACT TIME, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, ACADEMIC GUID-
ANCE AND COUNSELING, AND CONTENT-BASED ACCELERATION, AND ENCOURAGE THE
ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE COMMUNITY, BUSINESS,
INDUSTRY, LABOR, AND HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE GIFTED
AND TALENTED PROGRAM.
S 2. This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding
the date on which it shall have become a law; provided, however, that
the commissioner of education is authorized to promulgate any rules and
regulations necessary for the effective implementation of this act on or
before such date.