New York A 4203: Establishes the gifted education reinforcement act

Bill Text

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A04203 Summary:

BILL NOA04203 

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SAME ASNo Same As

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SPONSORMcDonough

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COSPNSR

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MLTSPNSR

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Add §4454, Ed L

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Establishes the gifted education reinforcement act to establish statewide standards for gifted education programs; requires school districts to be accountable for providing such programs.

Go to top A04203 Actions:

BILL NOA04203 

&nbsp

01/31/2025referred to education

01/07/2026referred to education

Go to topA04203 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topA04203 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topA04203 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 4203

 2025-2026 Regular Sessions

 IN ASSEMBLY

 January 31, 2025
 ___________

 Introduced by M. of A. McDONOUGH -- read once and referred to the
 Committee on Education

 AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to establishing statewide
 standards for gifted education programs and requiring school districts
 to be accountable for providing such gifted education programs

 The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
 bly, do enact as follows:

 1 Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "gifted
 2 education reinforcement act".
 3 § 2. The education law is amended by adding a new section 4454 to read
 4 as follows:
 5 § 4454. Gifted education. 1. For the purposes of this section, the
 6 following terms shall have the following meanings:
 7 a. "Gifted" shall mean neurological development which allows one to
 8 exhibit cognitive ability and/or ingenuity significantly more sophisti-
 9 cated than average in one or more areas.
 10 b. "Individualized education program" shall mean an educational plan
 11 designed to meet a student's learning needs via the use of various adap-
 12 tations.
 13 c. "504 plan" shall have the same meaning as defined in the federal
 14 rehabilitation act of 1973.
 15 d. "Competency-based education" shall mean an educational system based
 16 on students' demonstration of mastery of a given topic.
 17 2. A board of education shall:
 18 a. ensure that sufficient educational services are provided to gifted
 19 students from kindergarten through grade twelve and that proper instruc-
 20 tional adjustments are made in accordance with established standards;
 21 b. create the necessary policies for a continuous identification proc-
 22 ess from kindergarten through grade twelve, which shall consist of
 23 multiple measures in order to definitively identify strengths in various
 24 academic areas. To ensure equal access to the gifted education program,

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD08427-01-5

 A. 4203 2

 1 the identification process shall include adaptations for certain groups
 2 of students, including those who are English language learners and those
 3 with individualized education programs or 504 plans;
 4 c. provide ample resources and time to develop, reevaluate, and
 5 improve instructional tools for gifted education;
 6 d. develop and document appropriate curricular and instructional
 7 adjustments used for gifted students indicating content, process,
 8 products, and learning environment, and including additional educational
 9 activities such as academic competitions, guest speakers, and lessons
 10 with a specialist. Such adjustments shall be included in staff and
 11 student schedules, as well as lesson and unit plans, and shall be
 12 accounted for in budgets for educational materials;
 13 e. appoint a coordinator who shall oversee the operations and content
 14 of the district's gifted education program;
 15 f. create and uphold a list of students identified as gifted in every
 16 school within the district; and
 17 g. actively and consistently provide and support professional develop-
 18 ment for teachers, school leaders, and administrative staff regarding
 19 gifted education.
 20 3. a. The commissioner shall appoint a qualified coordinator of gifted
 21 education programs who shall be responsible for reviewing the programs
 22 implemented in each school district, assessing whether programs comply
 23 with the provisions of this section, and approving subsequent proposals
 24 in the area of gifted educati