Promotes the inclusion of children living in temporary housing in prekindergarten programs; requires school districts to prioritize homeless children on any pre-K waitlists and provides for the reimbursement to school districts of hiring additional staff to accommodate the enrollment of a homeless child.
Summary
A08073 amends the Education Law to promote the inclusion of homeless children in school district prekindergarten programs. The bill requires each district that operates a pre-K program to actively promote access for children living in temporary housing, including those staying in motels, hotels, shelters, or other temporary arrangements.
The bill also directs districts to prioritize a homeless child’s placement on any prekindergarten waitlist when a class is already at maximum capacity. In addition, if enrolling such a child requires hiring additional staff to stay within class-size limits, the State Education Department must reimburse the district for the direct staffing costs, to the extent those costs are not already covered by other federal programs.
Impact
This bill would add a new subdivision to Education Law section 3602-e, creating a specific statutory preference for homeless children in prekindergarten enrollment and a reimbursement mechanism for districts that incur added staffing costs. It would affect school districts operating pre-K programs, the State Education Department, and families with children in temporary housing by establishing a clearer enrollment priority and potential fiscal support for implementation.
Sentiment
The bill appears generally supportive and equity-focused, with its stated purpose centered on expanding access for homeless children to early education. No committee transcript or recorded votes were provided, so there is no documented opposition or formal debate in the materials supplied. Based on the text alone, the measure is framed as a targeted assistance and inclusion policy rather than a controversial change.
Contention
The main policy issue raised by the bill is how school districts would manage pre-K capacity and staffing when prioritizing homeless children over other waitlisted students. Potential points of contention include the administrative burden on districts, the need to hire additional staff to meet class-size rules, and the extent and reliability of state reimbursement. Another possible concern is how the priority would be applied in practice and whether the reimbursement formula would fully cover district costs.
Same As
Promotes the inclusion of children living in temporary housing in prekindergarten programs; requires school districts to prioritize homeless children on any pre-K waitlists and provides for the reimbursement to school districts of hiring additional staff to accommodate the enrollment of a homeless child.
Promotes the inclusion of children living in temporary housing in prekindergarten programs; requires school districts to prioritize homeless children on any pre-K waitlists and provides for the reimbursement to school districts of hiring additional staff to accommodate the enrollment of a homeless child.
Promotes the inclusion of children living in temporary housing in prekindergarten programs; requires school districts to prioritize homeless children on any pre-K waitlists and provides for the reimbursement to school districts of hiring additional staff to accommodate the enrollment of a homeless child.
Clarifies the responsibility of school districts for certain temporary-resident preschool children with disabilities who are in foster care, are homeless or are in residential care.
Authorizes a weighted selection process prioritizing children who would be eligible to receive free or reduced price lunch and/or who are emergent multilingual learners for the allocation of certain prekindergarten seats in school districts where there are more eligible children than can be served in a given school year.
Relates to the assessment of extraordinary needs count for purposes of the apportionment of public moneys to school districts employing eight or more teachers; defines count of homeless children and children or youth in foster care.
Relates to the assessment of extraordinary needs count for purposes of the apportionment of public moneys to school districts employing eight or more teachers; defines count of homeless children and children or youth in foster care.
Requires school districts and other facilities providing universal prekindergarten programs utilize all allotted funds for universal prekindergarten programs.