Requires the commissioner of education of the state of New York to conduct a study on the sufficiency of current education aid apportionment formulas and make recommendations for improvements to such formulas

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Chris Tague

Bill A 4308 would require NY's Education Commissioner to study whether state aid formulas adequately fund districts and recommend improvements to boost funding equity.

REFERRED TO EDUCATION

Summary of Assembly Bill A 4308 (2025)

Purpose and intent

A 4308 would require the New York State Commissioner of Education to conduct a study evaluating whether current education aid apportionment formulas are sufficient to fund education across districts. The commissioner would also be tasked with making recommendations for improvements to those formulas.

Key provisions

Directs the Commissioner of Education to study the sufficiency of existing education aid apportionment formulas used to distribute state aid to school districts.

Requires the study to include analysis that could inform improvements or changes to the formulas.

Mandates preparation of recommendations for improvements to the aid formulas based on the study’s findings.

The text provided does not specify additional procedural details such as reporting deadlines, methodology requirements, or dissemination requirements.

Who is affected

State Education Department (as the entity conducting the study)

Public school districts and their students, insofar as state aid distributions shape district funding

Local/state policymakers who rely on aid formulas for budgeting and planning

Procedural and timeline context

Status: Referred to the Assembly Committee on Education

Introduced: February 4, 2025

Legislative actions shown: two identical “REFERRED TO EDUCATION” entries on February 4, 2025

Primary sponsor: Assembly Member Chris Tague

Related/companion legislation: S 1120 (companion in the Senate)

Related Assembly bills from prior sessions: A 6149, A 3144

Related legislation

Companion Senate bill: S 1120

Prior-session related Assembly bills: A 6149, A 3144

The existence of companion and prior-session bills suggests ongoing interest in assessing and reforming state education aid formulas

Potential impact and implications

If enacted, the bill would initiate a formal review of how state education aid formulas allocate funds to districts.

Depending on findings, the study could lead to recommendations for reform, potentially altering Foundation Aid or other program formulas and affecting relative funding levels across districts.

The bill does not specify a timeline for completion or a statutory reporting requirement in the information provided; such details would influence when and how any recommended changes might move through the Legislature.

Broadly, the measure aims to improve funding adequacy and equity by ensuring formulas reflect current educational needs and cost drivers.

Next steps for readers

Monitor Committee actions in the Assembly (Education Committee) for hearings, amendments, or passage.

Review the full bill text (when available) for specifics on methodology, reporting requirements, and any fiscal notes.

Observe related bills (S 1120 and prior-session A 6149/A 3144) for alignment or differences in approach.