NY A10498

Extends contract for excellence requirements through the 2021-2022 school year and requires large city school districts to follow specific expenditure guidelines rather than the general requirements for all subsequent years.

Mandates class size reduction targets to be achieved by September 2027: kindergarten-third grade limited to 20 students per class, fourth-eighth grade to 23 students per class, and high school to 25 students per class, with physical education and performing groups capped at 40 students.

Requires class size reduction plans to be developed collaboratively with teacher and principal bargaining units and signed off by the chancellor and union presidents, with 20 percent of classrooms achieving compliance annually and exemptions limited to space, over-enrollment, license shortages, and severe economic distress.

Mandates annual public reports by November 15th detailing class size progress, capital plans, and identification of schools with insufficient progress, with corrective action plans required if reports show inadequate class size reduction.

Conditions state funding release on plan compliance: one-third of contract for excellence funds released upon approval, remainder released contingent on November reports demonstrating sufficient class size decreases and implementation of approved corrective action plans.