New York Assembly Bill A06897

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/18/25
• Refer: 3/18/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Establishes family literacy programs for economically disadvantaged families living in poverty areas or areas with low-performing public schools; provides for competitive matching grants to establish a comprehensive program; requires commissioner of education to submit an annual report to the governor and legislature.

Summary

This bill amends the Education Law to create a new family literacy grant program administered by the Commissioner of Education. The program would support comprehensive literacy services for economically disadvantaged families living in poverty areas or in attendance zones served by low-performing public schools. Eligible programs must combine parent-child literacy activities, parenting education, adult basic education or adult literacy, and age-appropriate instruction for children from birth through age 12. The bill directs the commissioner to award competitive matching grants to eligible providers, which may include school districts, BOCES, and partnerships with public agencies or private nonsectarian nonprofit organizations. Applicants must submit program proposals and budgets, and the commissioner must adopt regulations governing eligibility and grant procedures. The bill also allows advance payment of part of the grant, requires progress and final reports, and caps a statewide evaluation grant at $50,000. It would take effect July 1 after enactment.

Impact

The bill would add a new subdivision to Education Law section 3641, creating a state grant mechanism for family literacy programs and authorizing the Education Department to regulate, award, and monitor those grants. It would affect school districts, BOCES, public agencies, and eligible nonprofit providers serving low-income families, while also establishing reporting obligations for the commissioner to the governor and legislative leaders. Because the grants are matching grants and are subject to available appropriations, the bill would not mandate a standalone entitlement but would create a new funded program within the state education system.

Sentiment

The bill appears generally supportive and programmatic in tone, with the stated purpose of breaking the cycle of poverty and illiteracy through coordinated family services. The caption and findings emphasize educational opportunity, adult literacy, and support for children in struggling schools, suggesting a broad policy consensus in favor of the concept. No committee transcript or vote data is available here, so there is no recorded opposition or amendment debate to indicate divided sentiment.

Contention

The main potential points of contention are likely fiscal and administrative rather than ideological. The bill requires a dollar-for-dollar match from eligible providers, which could limit participation by under-resourced districts or nonprofits, and it leaves key eligibility definitions and implementation details to the commissioner through regulation. Another possible issue is the bill’s focus on families in poverty areas or low-performing school zones, which may raise questions about targeting, fairness, and whether the program should be expanded statewide. No specific objections are documented in the available materials.