Welcome to What's New

Information on the 2007-2008 State Budget

The new 2007-08 State budget includes an unprecedented increase of over $1.7 billion in aid to school districts across the State to improve student performance. The latest information on the budget, including State Aid projections by district, is available at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/. The web site also includes information on using the additional State Aid, accountability standards, Contracts for Excellence, allowable programs, and other budget highlights. Updates and additional budget related information will be added to the web site as it becomes available.

Schools Under Registration Review (SURR)

On March 15, 2007, Commissioner Mills issued a press release placing 20 schools under registration review, removing eight schools from registration review, and phasing out and closing seven schools. The press release is available at http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/surr031508.htm.

Updated Information on Green Cleaning

A new field memorandum has been issued concerning the use of green cleaning products in schools. It provides resources for school districts to satisfy the requirements of the State law requiring the use of environmentally sensitive cleaning and maintenance products in schools (a.k.a. green cleaning). The field memorandum is available at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/facplan/.

2007 Summer School

Districts, BOCES and nonpublic schools that will conduct summer schools in 2007 will not have to submit to the Department a “Certification of Intent to Conduct Summer School” and the “Summer School Enrollment Summary Report”. The Department will continue to provide support to all districts, BOCES and nonpublic schools that do conduct summer school. The 2007 Handbook for Summer School Administrators is available at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/sss/SummerSchool/home.html .

HOUSSE Method for CTE Teachers to Become “Highly Qualified”

During a series of regional technical assistance meetings held between October 2006 and January 2007, Department staff met with over 1,600 career and technical educators. One issue that consistently emerged as important to career and technical education (CTE) teachers was the NCLB requirement for “highly qualified” status. CTE teachers must demonstrate such status when they are teaching a CTE course for which academic credit may be given. In response to many questions received relating to the HOUSSE (High Objective Uniform State Standard of Evaluation) method for demonstrating “highly qualified” status, a question-and-answer document has been posted at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/cte/ . HOUSSE forms can be downloaded from http://www.highered.nysed.gov/nclb052006. If you wish further information about HOUSSE and CTE courses, please call (518) 486-1547 or send an e-mail to emsccte@mail.nysed.gov.

Presidential Awards for Mathematics and Science

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching identify outstanding teachers in mathematics and science at the national level. In 2007, teachers of grades 7-12 will be eligible for this award. New York State is seeking nominations for outstanding mathematics and science teachers who bring state and national standards to life in their classrooms, spark students’ imaginations, have a belief that all students can learn, engage students, and have an overall passion for teaching and learning. If you know of a teacher who you feel qualifies for this prestigious honor, visit our website at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/mst/science/presawardsci.htm and click on “Presidential Awards” to find out how to nominate them. Nominees must submit their applications by May 1, 2007 to be considered.

Driver Education News

The Department’s Office of Curriculum, Instruction, and Instructional Technology has launched its new driver education website at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/drive.html. Readers can easily find the New York State Driver and Traffic Safety Education Guidelines, driver education summer school application forms, and teacher preparation and accreditation information. The "Application for Approval of Summer Secondary School Driver and Traffic Safety Education 2007" must be postmarked by Friday, June 1, 2007. Programs that do not have teachers with a current MV 283 as of the date of the application will not be approved. Applications and more information on submission are available at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/de/StopReadNotice.html .

Guidance for Calculator Use

For the latest guidance on the use of calculators in the classroom and on State assessments in mathematics, please go to http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/mst/mnews.html. The guidance is in chart form and is posted in PDF, MS Word, and HTML formats.

Distance Learning Guide

Distance learning programs have been a part of the New York State adult literacy system for over two decades. As technology advances and becomes accessible to the public, distance learning programs expand to take advantage of these new tools. They are emerging as dynamic educational approaches and now include the use of the Internet to take courses and workshops. Learners will also be able to use new technology such as podcasts, CDs and Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds to acquire knowledge. Word and PDF versions of the “Program Manager/Instructor Guide for Distance Learning” are available at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/workforce/offices/adult.html.

2007 Summer Training for Teachers in Engineers of the Future Programs

State funds totaling $5 million are available from the Department for grants to New York State colleges and universities for the costs of providing college- or university-based summer courses for teacher training necessary to implement rigorous pre-engineering curricula at the middle and high school levels. State college or university applicants must partner with public school district(s), charter school(s) and/or nonpublic schools and serve teachers who are or will be implementing rigorous pre-engineering programs at the middle and high school levels. Consortiums of colleges and universities may not apply. For further information, please visit http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/funding/currentapps.htm

Commissioner’s Decisions

Information about appeals to the Commissioner of Education is available on the Department’s Office of Counsel website at http://www.counsel.nysed.gov. The site contains decisions from 1991 to date. New decisions are added as they are issued. Recent significant decisions issued by the Commissioner in appeals brought before him pursuant to Education Law §310 include the following:

Appeal of L.P., 46 Ed Dept Rep ___, Decision No. 15,527, dated February 14, 2007.

The Commissioner sustained petitioner’s appeal of the determination of the Board of Education of the Central Islip Union Free School District that his son was not entitled to an exemption from the immunization requirements of Public Health Law (“PHL”) §2164. In denying petitioner’s exemption request, the district had concluded that petitioner’s beliefs were based on a “complementary/alternative medical approach” and not a “personal, sincere religious belief.” The Commissioner determined that, even though petitioner’s beliefs included some aspects of alternative or holistic medicine, it did not necessarily mean that they were not religious beliefs. The Commissioner determined that petitioner’s beliefs were principally based upon his interpretations of concepts and practices found in Hinduism and other Eastern religions and accordingly were religious in nature.

Appeal of Rabeler, 46 Ed Dept Rep ___, Decision No. 15,539, dated February 27, 2007.

The Commissioner dismissed petitioner’s appeal of his transfer by the Board of Education of the City School District of the City of Oneonta from high school principal to an untitled position as a principal performing various administrative duties in violation of his tenure rights. The Commissioner determined that the board appointed petitioner to the principal tenure area, and that no special tenure area of “high school principal” existed.