Bill > S08217

This bill enacts the "Media Literacy Act of 2024" and introduces several key provisions: 1. It requires teachers and library media specialists to complete professional development related to media literacy education, with teachers needing at least 5 hours and library media specialists needing at least 15 hours during each 5-year registration period. 2. It mandates that each school district employ a certified school library media specialist in every elementary, intermediate, middle, junior high, and senior high school within 3 years, with specific staffing requirements based on school enrollment. 3. It expands the definition of "school library materials" to include audio/visual, online, and electronic materials needed for media literacy programs. 4. It directs the Commissioner of Education to appoint a Media Literacy Advisory Committee to conduct a study on the teaching of media literacy in schools and make recommendations for improving media literacy instruction and policies. 5. It creates a permanent Media Literacy Advisory Committee within the Department of Education to annually review and amend the state's policies and procedures on media literacy. The overall intent of the bill is to improve media literacy education in New York schools by enhancing teacher training, requiring dedicated library media specialists, and establishing a process for studying and updating media literacy policies and practices.