S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   2055
 
                        2021-2022 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                             January 14, 2021
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  M.  of A. SIMON -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. NOLAN,
   SEAWRIGHT -- read once and referred to the Committee on 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:
 
   Section 1.  The  legislature  hereby  establishes  the  differentiated
 learning  environment  task  force, referred to hereinafter as the "task
 force", to conduct a comprehensive study on the way colleges and univer-
 sities are preparing future teachers to work in urban  settings  and  to
 offer differentiated classrooms.
   §  2.  For the purposes of this act the following terms shall have the
 following meanings:
   (a) "Differentiated learning environment" shall mean learning  methods
 designed to address individual students' diverse learning needs; and
   (b)  "Language-based learning differences" shall mean developmental or
 learning disabilities where a student has a  problem  or  problems  with
 age-appropriate reading, spelling, writing and/or math.
   § 3. Such task force shall consist of eleven members with demonstrated
 experience in issues relating to the work of the task force. The members
 of the task force shall be appointed as follows:
   (a) two members shall be appointed by the governor;
   (b)  two  members shall be appointed by the temporary president of the
 senate;
   (c) two members shall be appointed by the speaker of the assembly;
   (d) one member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the assem-
 bly;
   (e) one member shall be  appointed  by  the  minority  leader  of  the
 senate;
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD01194-01-1
              

 A. 2055                             2
 
   (f)  two  members shall be appointed by the chancellor of the board of
 regents; and
   (g)  one  member shall be the commissioner of the department of educa-
 tion or their designee.
   § 4. The task force shall  be  chaired  by  the  commissioner  of  the
 department  of  education  or  their designee. Members of the task force
 shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed
 for their actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in
 the work of the task force.
   § 5. Appointments shall be made within 60 days of the  effective  date
 of  this act. Any vacancies in the membership of the task force shall be
 filled in the same manner provided for in the initial appointment.
   § 6. The task force may  consult  with  any  organization,  government
 entity,  or  person,  in  the  development  of its report required under
 section seven of this act.
   § 7. On or before one year after the effective date of this  act,  the
 task  force shall submit to the governor, the temporary president of the
 senate, the speaker of the assembly, the minority leader of  the  senate
 and  the  minority  leader  of the assembly a report containing, but not
 limited to:
   (a) A dual certification process for teachers to be certified in  both
 special education and language-based learning differences; and
   (b)  A  comprehensive  professional  development  training program for
 persons who are teachers and those who are studying to  be  teachers  to
 learn the basics of differentiated learning environments.
   § 8. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire 24 months
 after  it  shall have become a law when upon such date the provisions of
 this act shall be deemed repealed.