S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
1197
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
January 9, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. SIMON, GONZALEZ-ROJAS, SHIMSKY, LEVENBERG --
Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. 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.
LBD01949-01-5
A. 1197 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.