File #: Int 0684-2026    Version: * Name: Study on how language access needs and geographic location affect access to early elementary gifted and talented programs.
Type: Introduction Status: Committee
Committee: Committee on Education
On agenda: 2/12/2026
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law in relation to requiring a study on how language access needs and geographic location affect access to early elementary gifted and talented programs
Sponsors: Susan Zhuang, Eric Dinowitz, David M. Carr, Phil Wong , Chris Banks, Farah N. Louis, Sandra Ung, Lynn C. Schulman
Council Member Sponsors: 8
Summary: This bill requires the Mayor’s Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education, in consultation with the Department of Education and community-based early childhood organizations, to study how language access needs and geographic location affect preschool-age children’s access to early elementary gifted and talented programs. The study must evaluate barriers families with limited English proficiency face in learning about, preparing for, and enrolling in these programs, as well as assess the availability of translation, interpretation, and outreach supports. It must also identify disparities in eligibility, nomination, and enrollment by language group and geographic area. A public report with findings and recommendations to improve equitable access would be issued within 6 months.
Indexes: Report Required
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 684, 2. Int. No. 684, 3. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 2-12-26

 Int. No. 684

 

By Council Members Zhuang, Dinowitz, Carr, Wong, Banks, Louis, Ung and Schulman

 

A Local Law in relation to requiring a study on how language access needs and geographic location affect access to early elementary gifted and talented programs

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. a. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:

Office. The term “office” means the mayor’s office of child care and early childhood education or any successor entity.

Early elementary gifted and talented programs. The term “early elementary gifted and talented programs” means any accelerated or enriched academic program offered by the department of education to students entering kindergarten through grade three on the basis of examination, screening, nomination, or other eligibility determination.

Preschool-age children. The term “preschool-age children” means children ages three through five who are enrolled or eligible to enroll in 3-K, prekindergarten, or publicly funded early childhood programming in the city of New York.

Language access needs. The term “language access needs” means the need for translation, interpretation, or other communication supports for families and students with limited English proficiency.

b. Required study. The office, in consultation with the department of education and relevant community-based early childhood providers and organizations, shall conduct an analysis of access for preschool-age children to early elementary gifted and talented programs, with a focus on determining the extent to which language access needs and geographic location within the city, including but not limited to borough, community district, and school district boundaries, predict or correlate with eligibility, nomination, and enrollment in early elementary gifted and talented programs.

c. Study components. Such study shall include, but need not be limited to:

1. Evaluation of the barriers faced by families with limited English proficiency in learning about, preparing for, being nominated for, applying for, and ultimately enrolling in early elementary gifted and talented programs;

2. Assessment of translated materials, interpretation services, community-based outreach, and other language access supports made available to preschool-age children and their families;

3. Identification of disparities in outreach, eligibility determinations, and enrollment of preschool-age children into early elementary gifted and talented programs by language group, and by geographic location within the city, including but not limited to borough, community district, and school district boundaries; and

4. Recommendations to expand equitable access, including strategies tailored to multilingual households and any geographically underserved areas that are identified.

d. Reporting. No later than 6 months after the effective date of this local law, the office shall submit to the mayor and the speaker of the council, and post on the office’s website, a report providing the findings and recommendations described in subdivision c of this section.

§ 2. This local law takes effect immediately.

AC

LS #20575

1/23/2025 215 PM