Category: State & Federal News Portfolio
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Advisory: Religious exemptions removed from state vaccination law
With the worst outbreak of measles in more than 25 years taking place in the United States and outbreaks in New York state primarily driving the crisis, Gov. Andrew Cuomo on June 13 signed a bill into law that immediately removed the religious exemption for school vaccination requirements. Per the amendment to Public Health Law…
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Advisory: New law requires districts to designate employee to provide substance use materials/resources
In an ongoing effort to support those dealing with addiction and substance use, the New York State Education Department recently amended both Education and Mental Health Hygiene laws to ensure that students, parents and staff know where to go within the school community for information on substance use and support services. What are schools required…
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Districts must ensure all students have access to a certified school counselor
Counseling plans must be posted to district websites, and available for review in district and school offices.
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Help district leaders understand state and federal fiscal transparency requirements
Both the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and the New York State Division of Budget are requiring districts to report per-pupil spending for each school. These mandates are the result of an increased focus on educational equity. They are intended to shine a light on how money is distributed across a district and whether…
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New DASA brochures for parents/guardians and staff
The Board of Regents recently added illustrative examples to the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) to include the types of incidents of harassment, bullying and/or discrimination that must be reported. The new examples of harassment, bullying and/or discrimination based on a person’s actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious…
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Advisory: Mental health instruction now required in New York schools
New York is the first state in the country to require schools to include mental health instruction as part of their health education curriculum. If you are planning to communicate about this change in your school district, keep in mind that many schools previously included mental health education as part of their regular, required health…
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Districts must develop and post “Prohibition Against Meal Shaming” plans
Policies prohibiting “meal shaming” should be available on district websites.
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Students experiencing homelessness have a right to be educated
Ensure that families are aware of their rights under the McKinney-Vento Act.
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Fiscal transparency law includes new reporting requirements
A law, approved in 2016, aimed at increasing the transparency of New York state school district finances will take effect in school fiscal year 2017-18. The new statute – Chapter 514 of the Laws of 2016 — will require districts to post certain budget and finance documents on their websites, if one exists, and will…
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Districts required to communicate meal charge policies
Let staff and families know your school’s policy for charging school meals to student accounts.
Recent blog posts
Recent Portfolio Releases
- Prepare for a crisis before it occurs with internal resources for school leaders
- Advisory: Schools must notify parents ahead of safety drills
- Required notifications for school districts (2024-25)
- Explaining changes to the 2024-25 calendar to your school community
- Advisory: Gov. Hochul releases executive budget proposal