Establishes the underrepresented teachers of tomorrow teacher recruitment and retention program to attract and retain underrepresented certified teachers in schools which have an underrepresentation of underrepresented certified teachers; provides for grants and procedures for applying for such grants and eligibility requirements for fund distribution.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A4274
SPONSOR: Hyndman TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to establishing the
underrepresented teachers of tomorrow teacher recruitment and retention
program
PURPOSE:
This bill establishes the underrepresented teachers of tomorrow-teacher
recruitment and retention program to provide awards to attract and
retain underrepresented teachers in underrepresented schools.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one adds a new section to the Education Law to establish the
underrepresented teachers of tomorrow teacher recruitment and retention
program. Underrepresented teacher is defined as a teacher who holds a
permanent or professional state teaching certificate and participated in
a school district/post-secondary partnership "grow your own" initiative;
My Brother's Keeper, Teacher Opportunity Corps Program, Higher Education
Opportunity Program, Education Opportunity Program, or other similar
program. Underrepresented schools are defined as school buildings which
has an underrepresentation of certified teachers who participated in a
school district/post-secondary partnership "grow your own" initiative,
My Brother's Keeper, Teacher Opportunity Corps program, higher education
opportunity program, education opportunity program, or other similar
programs, as determined by the commissioner.
The section also establishes the application process for districts,
awarding of grants, and eligibility for incentive awards to teachers.
Section two of the bill is the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
A recent report from the State Education Department has highlighted the
lack of teacher diversity in New York State. According to the 2019 NYSED
diversity report, eighty percent or a little over 170,000 of New York's
approximately 210,000 teachers are White, and Latino and Black educators
are underrepresented.
The 2019 NYSED diversity report published that roughly "18,000, of Black
or African American while the number of Hispanic or Latino teachers
increased from 13,877 in 2011-12 to 16,078 in 2016-17". 80% of New York
State's in service teachers identify as white. The study also found that
more than 200 public school districts did not employ a single teacher of
color.
The value of diversity in the teaching profession is widely known. For
students, especially students of color, the benefits are significant and
include increased test scores, higher graduation rates, and reduction in
absenteeism and dropouts. This bill addresses teacher diversity by
providing an incentive to teachers who previously participated in
programs such as My Brother's Keeper, Grow Your Own initiatives, or
Teacher Opportunity Corps to encourage individuals to enter and remain
in the teaching profession.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2020: S7647 referred to education; reported and committed to finance;
advanced to third reading; passed senate; delivered to assembly;
referred to education
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
