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  • New law expands definition of discrimination to include hairstyles, traits

    On July 12, 2019, Governor Cuomo signed a new law (S6209A/A7797A) that amends the Human Rights Law and Dignity for All Students Act to make clear that discrimination based on race includes hairstyles or traits associated with race. The legislation: The bill’s provisions are effective immediately. Recommended communication actions School districts will want to review…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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.

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Districts must develop and post “Prohibition Against Meal Shaming” plans

    Policies prohibiting “meal shaming” should be available on district websites.

  • Students experiencing homelessness have a right to be educated

    Ensure that families are aware of their rights under the McKinney-Vento Act.

  • 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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