S 6760: Establishes the differentiated learning environment task force, to conduct a comprehensive study on the way colleges and universities are preparing future teachers to work in urban settings and to offer differentiated classrooms.

  
  STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 6760 2025-2026 Regular Sessions  IN SENATE March 24, 2025 ___________ Introduced by Sen. JACKSON -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher Education AN ACT to establish the differentiated learning environment task force; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration there- of The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. The legislature hereby establishes the differentiated 2 learning environment task force, referred to hereinafter as the "task 3 force", to conduct a comprehensive study on the way colleges and univer- 4 sities are preparing future teachers to work in urban settings and to 5 offer differentiated classrooms. 6 § 2. For the purposes of this act the following terms shall have the 7 following meanings: 8 (a) "Differentiated learning environment" shall mean learning methods 9 designed to address individual students' diverse learning needs; and 10 (b) "Language-based learning differences" shall mean developmental or 11 learning disabilities where a student has a problem or problems with 12 age-appropriate reading, spelling, writing and/or math. 13 § 3. Such task force shall consist of eleven members with demonstrated 14 experience in issues relating to the work of the task force. The members 15 of the task force shall be appointed as follows: 16 (a) two members shall be appointed by the governor; 17 (b) two members shall be appointed by the temporary president of the 18 senate; 19 (c) two members shall be appointed by the speaker of the assembly; 20 (d) one member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the assem- 21 bly; 22 (e) one member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the 23 senate; EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD01949-01-5 
 S. 6760 2 1 (f) two members shall be appointed by the chancellor of the board of 2 regents; and 3 (g) one member shall be the commissioner of the department of educa- 4 tion or their designee. 5 § 4. The task force shall be chaired by the commissioner of the 6 department of education or their designee. Members of the task force 7 shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed 8 for their actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in 9 the work of the task force. 10 § 5. Appointments shall be made within 60 days of the effective date 11 of this act. Any vacancies in the membership of the task force shall be 12 filled in the same manner provided for in the initial appointment. 13 § 6. The task force may consult with any organization, government 14 entity, or person, in the development of its report required under 15 section seven of this act. 16 § 7. On or before one year after the effective date of this act, the 17 task force shall submit to the governor, the temporary president of the 18 senate, the speaker of the assembly, the minority leader of the senate 19 and the minority leader of the assembly a report containing, but not 20 limited to: 21 (a) A dual certification process for teachers to be certified in both 22 special education and language-based learning differences; and 23 (b) A comprehensive professional development training program for 24 persons who are teachers and those who are studying to be teachers to 25 learn the basics of differentiated learning environments. 26 § 8. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire 24 months 27 after it shall have become a law when upon such date the provisions of 28 this act shall be deemed repealed.