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Test Manuals for School Administrators and Teachers including the 2008 School Administrator's Manual are available at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/osa/sam/
The Commissioners of the New York State Education Department and the Department of Environmental Conservation have co-announced the Green Schools Challenge. The goals of this exciting and vital initiative are to promote recycling in schools and to recognize the great strides that many schools have taken to develop responsible solid waste management practices.
More information about the Green Schools Challenge may be accessed online at http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/43349.html. Additional questions about the Challenge or how to set up a green schools program may be directed to Debbie Jackson, Environmental Program Specialist, NYSDEC by phone at 518-402-8705 or by email at dajackson@gw.dec.state.ny.us.
An important notice concerning the revision of the new June 2008 Physical Setting/Earth Science Performance Test (Part D) and a significant change in the procedures for students retaking the Regents Examination in Physical Setting/Earth Science has been posted on the Department's website. This information may be accessed at: http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/osa/scire/earthscience-performance.pdf.
In addition to reviewing this notice yourself, it is of critical importance that it be distributed either electronically or in printed form to all Earth Science teachers in your school and any other staff members who will be involved in the administration of this Regents Examination. We welcome any questions you may have on this or any other aspect of New York State's testing programs. Please direct all inquiries to us at emscassessinfo@mail.nysed.gov.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) / National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) School Chemistry Laboratory Safety Guide which includes information related to safety in the high school chemistry laboratory is available on-line. The NIOSH Publication No. 2007-107: School Chemistry Laboratory Safety Guide, November 2006 may be accessed at http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/NIOSH2007107.pdf
The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) identifies outstanding teachers in mathematics and science at the national level. In 2008, teachers of grades K-6 will be eligible for this award. New York State is looking for 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 you feel qualifies for this prestigious honor, visit the Mathematics website at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/mst/inform/presaward.htm and the Science 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, 2008 to be considered.
The purpose of this program is for New York State public and independent colleges and universities to provide advanced coursework for high performing mathematics and science students who will have completed seventh grade in June 2008. The advanced coursework must be in mathematics and science and must be aligned to the New York State learning standards at the commencement-level. The program must include only eligible and other high performing students as defined in Section 100.14 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education.
The program should:
The Request for Proposal information can be found on the Funding Opportunities/Allocations link at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov. Click on Funding Opportunities/Allocations (left-hand navigation bar). Click on Current Funding Opportunities. Click on the name of this application.
Proposals must be postmarked by February 4, 2008. All questions regarding the application process should be directed to the program email box at excelsiorscholars@mail.nysed.gov.
Free homework help Monday - Thursday at 5:30 PM with Homework Hotline on your PBS station.
The National Youth Science Camp (NYSC), http://www.nysc.org, offers a fantastic opportunity for graduating seniors who intend to pursue an education and profession oriented toward science, mathematics, engineering, or medicine. The NYSC is a residential science education program that honors and challenges the two most promising high school science students from each state. Applications are due by February 18, 2008. More information and applications may be found at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/mst/science/natyouth.html.
Public Television Station Thirteen/WNET has launched Clearwater: Hudson River Rising, a website for educators that complements the film 'Til the River Runs Clear. The film describes the history of Pete Seeger's historic Clearwater sloop, and the website is a combination of information about the sloop and the Hudson River.
http://www.thirteen.org/clearwater/forEducators.html
Legislative Language
Waiver Process - 809(5)#160;Treatment of Live Vertebrate Animals html pdf
The State Education Department, in cooperation with the National Science Olympiad and the New York State Science Olympiad, invites your students to participate in a Statewide Science Olympiad competition. Teams of students from public and nonpublic middle schools, junior high schools, and high schools are eligible for participation in this event. This New York Statewide Olympiad will consist of academic, interscholastic competitions between individuals and between teams. Registered students would prepare during the year for scheduled regional, state, and possibly national competitions. Competitions follow the formats of popular board games, Olympic games, and TV shows. These challenging and motivational events are well balanced among the various science disciplines of biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, and technology. There is also a balance between events requiring knowledge of science content, concepts, processes, skills, and applications. Competitive teams will be made up of students from grades 6-9 and from grades 9-12. Additional information and registration forms may be found at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/mst/Olympiad.htm
The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) Program was established in 1983 by The White House and is sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The program identifies outstanding mathematics and science teachers, kindergarten through 12th grade, in each state and the four U.S. jurisdictions. These teachers will serve as models for their colleagues and will be leaders in the improvement of science and mathematics education.
In 2003 the competition began to alternate each year between teachers of grades 7-12 and teachers of grades K-6. In 2006, teachers of grades K-6 mathematics and science in each state and the four U.S. jurisdictions are eligible to apply. Teachers of grades 7-12 will be eligible for the Presidential Awards in 2007. Additional information can be found at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/mst/science/presawardsci.htm
A timeline for the professional development for test administration of the new laboratory component of the Regents Examination in Physical Setting/Earth Science can be found at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/mst/earthscinewlabcompPD.ppt
The New York State Regents Examination in Physical Setting/Earth Science consists of two components: a laboratory performance test and a written test. A new form of the laboratory performance test is currently in the test development process and will be administered for the first time in June 2007. The performance test consists of hands-on tasks set up at four stations. These tasks are designed to measure student achievement of the New York State Learning Standards for Mathematics, Science, and Technology as included in the Physical Setting/Earth Science Core Curriculum. A link to the materials list can be found at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/mst/scinote.htm
Each Grade 4 elementary-level science test, Grade 8 intermediate-level science test, and Regents examination in science is developed over a three-year period. Each step in the process must be repeated annually because, unlike other states, New York State releases its written examinations to the public after the exams are administered. Assessment and curriculum specialists in the Education Department lead the examination development process, and New York State teachers with experience in corresponding subject areas are involved in every step of the process. More information about science exam development procedures can be found at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/mst/science/sciexamdev
Testing Exemptions for Transfer Students - We have received questions from districts about how the Regents examination requirements apply to transfer students. The Regulations of the Commissioner of Education provide certain conditions under which a transfer student who has not previously been home instructed or attended school in New York can earn a diploma without meeting the requirements for passing the Regents examination in global history and geography and passing a Regents examination in science.
Section 100.5(d)(5) of Commissioner’s Regulations grants high school principals the authority to waive certain testing requirements for a local or Regents diploma only for those students who first enter a New York State high school from another state or country in either Grade 11 or 12. For such students who first enter a New York State high school in Grade 11, "the principal may exempt a student from the requirement for the Regents examination in global history and geography." For those who first enter a New York State high school in Grade 12, "the principal may exempt a student from the requirement for the Regents examination in science and the Regents examination in global history and geography."
For transfer students who first enter a New York State high school from another state or country in either Grade 11 or 12 and who seek to earn a Regents diploma with advanced designation, the principal may exempt a student from the requirement for the Regents examination in global history and geography. However, a principal is unable to exempt a student from passing a Regents examination in science. Section 100.5(b)(7)(v) specifically requires that a student earning a Regents diploma with advanced designation must complete "…one additional Regents examination in science, for a total of two Regents examinations, with at least one in life science and at least one in physical science…".
Transfer students seeking to earn a local diploma, a Regents diploma, or a Regents diploma with advanced designation must pass all of the remaining State examinations ordinarily required to earn that diploma. "Transfer students [who first enter a New York State high school in either Grade 11 or 12 and] who are exempted from taking specific State assessments shall have their transcript and permanent records so annotated." Principals may not waive any testing requirements for transfer students who were enrolled in a registered or non-registered New York State public or nonpublic school or who received home instruction in New York State for any or all of Grade 9 or 10.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) law affecting the presence and use of mercury and mercury added products in all New York State elementary and secondary schools took effect on September 4, 2004 (Senate Bill 7399-B).
Specific questions regarding the impact on schools due to this law are addressed in the document at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/facplan/Emergency/mercury_law_QA_101904.html
Included are directions and information on the disposal of mercury and mercury added products presently used in schools across New York State.