Photo by Michael Discenza on Unsplash.
Three more bills aimed at supporting climate change education were introduced in the New York state legislature in January 2023.
Assembly Bill 1559 would, if enacted, require the state commissioner of education to "establish a model environmental curriculum on climate change to be taught in all public elementary and secondary schools," to be included in the standards of instruction for not only science but also history, social studies, health, and mathematics. The bill was introduced by Jo Anne Simon (D-District 52) and seven of her colleagues and referred to the House Committee on Education. A counterpart bill, Senate Bill 278, was introduced by Andrew Gounardes (D-District 26) and referred to the Senate Committee on Education.
Senate Bill 243 would, if enacted, require the state commissioner of education to offer "recommendations to the board of regents relating to the adoption of instruction in climate science in senior high schools," including "the effect and impact of greenhouse gasses" and New York's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The bill is identical to Senate Bill 596 from the 2021-2022 legislation session, which died in committee. The bill was introduced by Rachel May (D and Working Families-District 53) and referred to the Senate Committee on Education.
Assembly Bill 1866 would, if enacted, establish a climate change education grant program "to award grants to eligible applicants to support climate change education grant programs for young people or to provide optional teacher training or professional development programs relevant to the advance of climate change literacy in young people. The bill is identical to Assembly Bill 617 from the 2021-2022 legislation session, which died in committee. The bill was introduced by Linda B. Rosenthal (D-District 67) and Rebecca A. Seawright (D-District 76) and referred to the House Committee on Education.
The three previously introduced bills supporting climate change education are Senate Bill 278, Assembly Bill 851, and Senate Bill 287, as NCSE previously reported.
[Updated January 23, 2023, with the addition of the next-to-last paragraph.]
