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Mar. 27 | Awaiting Third Reading, Hearing in Committee
S. 4037 was introduced on January 31, 2025, by Senator James Skoufis. It was amended in the Senate Education Committee and passed by the committee. The bill has passed second reading on the Senate floor and is awaiting the third reading.
A. 323 was introduced on January 8, 2025 by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin and was amended in the Assembly Education Committee. It is currently waiting to be scheduled for a hearing in the Assembly Education Committee
Please contact members of the Assembly Education Committee and respectfully urge them to oppose A. 323.
- Share your concerns about how this bill would impact families, especially those with young children or who homeschool.
- Encourage other families to contact their legislators and stay informed.
Summary of S. 4037 and A. 323
S. 4037 and A. 323 would change New York’s compulsory education framework by lowering the age of required instruction from 6 to 5. While this may appear to be a minor adjustment, it introduces several concerning consequences for families across the state.
HSLDA opposes this bill for the following reasons:
- It expands compulsory education without a demonstrated need. New York already provides broad access to kindergarten, and families retain the ability to begin formal education at age 5 if they choose. This bill does not address a clear gap in access or outcomes but instead expands state oversight into an earlier stage of childhood.
- It replaces a clear statewide standard with district-level inconsistency. Even with an opt-out provision, families must take additional steps to maintain the flexibility they already have under current law. This adds complexity without providing meaningful benefits.
- It creates unnecessary administrative burdens on for families. Even with an opt-out provision, families must take additional steps to maintain the flexibility they already have under current law. This adds complexity without providing meaningful benefits.
- It expands regulatory pressure on homeschool families. Homeschool families would be brought under compulsory attendance requirements a full year earlier. This means earlier filing obligations, increased scrutiny, and a greater risk of misunderstandings with school officials
- It increases the risk of truancy or educational neglect claims. When compulsory attendance begins earlier, and when standards vary by district, families who delay formal instruction or are unaware of new requirements may face allegations of noncompliance. This is particularly concerning given how inconsistently homeschool regulations can be interpreted at the local level.
- It introduces avoidable confusion at a critical developmental stage. Age 5 is a time when families often make individualized decisions based on a child’s readiness. This bill reduces flexibility and places more families into a regulatory framework earlier than necessary.
Taken together, these concerns demonstrate that this bill creates more problems than it solves. Rather than improving educational outcomes, it risks confusion, inconsistency, and unnecessary burdens on New York families.