Learning for Life!Learning for Earning
Curriculum and Instructional Support

 

 


REPORT TO THE DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENTS – November 2006

 

 

REGIONAL CTERC CONFERENCES

 

            The final three Career Technical Education Resource Center (CTERC) regional conferences will be held in Long Island on November 29, in White Plains on December 4, and in Albany on January 23.  For further information about the conferences, please visit the CTERC website at www.cterc.org.  Conferences have already been held in Buffalo, New York City, Rochester and Syracuse.  Registration applications for the conferences can be downloaded from the CTERC website by clicking on “Registration Form 2006-7.” 

 

            The conferences feature keynote speakers as well as workshops on topics such as integrating math into CTE programs, developing youth leaders, digital technologies for CTE, infusing literacy and mathematics into CTE programs, and EdVideo Online as a teacher resource.

 

            The joint mission of the Career Technical Education Resource Center and the Department is to increase student achievement through the advancement of current research, best practices and direct support to Career and Technical Education programs across New York State. The focus is on developing a statewide network of collaboration, building the capacity within each CTE school, and providing technical assistance to CTE schools of high need.

 

 

CHANGES IN COSMETOLOGY PRACTICAL EXAM

 

            The Career and Technical Education team oversees curriculum and instruction in cosmetology programs in New York State public high schools and BOCES.  The New York State Department of State is responsible for licensing cosmetologists.  Recently, the Department of State announced changes in the cosmetology licensing exam which may necessitate changes in cosmetology classroom instruction.

 

            Changes affect the cosmetology practical exam.  In brief, effective January 1, 2007, the only change will be the performance of the current practical on a mannequin.  Live models will no longer be allowed.  Effective September 1, 2007, the new cosmetology practical exam will be implemented in its entirety.

 

            Information on the new cosmetology practical examination, including detailed exam information, procedure sheets, supply lists, and task lists, can be obtained by e-mailing Dawn Scagnelli, CTE Associate, at dscagnel@mail.nysed.gov. 

 

DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES 2006 SCHOOLS TO WATCH 


            The New York State Education Department in partnership the NYS Middle School Association, the NYS United Teachers, the NYS Association of Teacher Educators, the NYS Association of Colleges of Teacher Education, and the NYC Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform, has honored seven New York State middle-level schools as the 2006 Essential Elements: Schools to Watch.  These schools are recognized as models of academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity, organization and structure according to pre-established criteria as defined by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform.

 

The schools designated as schools to watch are Barker Road Middle School and Calkins Road Middle School in Pittsford, Moravia Middle School in Moravia, Twelve Corners Middle School in Rochester, Victor Junior High School in Victor, Oliver Winch Middle School in South Glens Falls, and Sayville Middle School in Sayville.

 

For further information about Essential Elements: Schools to Watch, please visit the CIIT website at  http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/mle/news/STWWeblinks.doc 

 

 

NEW ADDITION TO OFFICE OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT


            The Middle Level Education initiative has been reorganized within OCIS’s Office of Curriculum Instruction and Instructional Technology (CIIT).  For ongoing information regarding middle level, visit http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/mle/middle.html

 

 

BILINGUAL EDUCATION FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

 

            The OCIS Office of Bilingual Education and Foreign Language Studies (OBEFLS) has an estimated $1,650,000 in grant money available for two-way bilingual education programs.  Grant applications must be postmarked by November 20, 2006.

 

            The purpose of these competitive grants is to develop academic excellence and bilingual proficiency for Limited English Proficient and English Proficient students.

 

            More information about the grants can be viewed at the following Education Department website: http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/funding/twoway0609.htm.   OBEFLS also posted a Question and Answer webpage at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/funding/twoway0609qa.htm

 

 

TE-MAT RESOURCES FOR MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS

 

            TE-MAT (Teacher Education Materials) is an online database of reviews of mathematics and science materials for kindergarten through grade 12.  The purpose of TE-MAT is to support professional development providers as they design and implement programs for pre-service and in-service mathematics and science teachers. Please visit www.te-mat.org.

 

            The database includes two main sections:

·   A Conceptual Framework section highlights key elements critical to the design and implementation of effective professional development programs, with links to relevant reviews of materials and practitioner essays. www.te-mat.org/conceptual-framework.aspx.

·   The Reviews of Materials section is a searchable collection of reviews intended to help K-12 mathematics and science professional development providers more readily select materials appropriate for their program goals. Reviews may be browsed by subject and grade level, purpose, topic area, features, author and title.  www.te-mat.org/overview-reviews.aspx

 

            This valuable teacher resource was originally funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation.  The National Science Teachers Association and the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators will continue to provide resources to the database in the future. 

 

 

BIG 5 SUMMIT ON ADULT EDUCATION

 

            On November 1 and 2, the Adult Education and Workforce Development team hosted the first Big 5 City School District adult education summit in Syracuse.  The summit focused on developing high quality data systems to support accountability and greater effectiveness of adult education; Literacy Zones in the Big Five; and federal funding directions and opportunities, including the reauthorization of the federal Workforce Investment Act and potential immigration reform that could dramatically expand federal funding for English language and civics instruction.

 

 

SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES WORKSHOPS FOR TEACHERS

 

            The Museum Education Institute at the New York State Museum was established in 2001 to support a community of professionals dedicated to improving education. The Institute provides practicing teachers with opportunities to participate in the research process with access to current research information, and to interact with Museum research and collections staff.

 

            The Institute aids in the accomplishment of the Museum’s mission by fostering working relationships between teachers and researchers in the fields of geology, biology, anthropology and history.  For more information about upcoming teacher workshops please visit their website at http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/education/teacher/workshops.html

 

 

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S VIRTUAL LEARNING SYSTEM ENHANCED

           

            The NYSED VLS has been enhanced and expanded with interesting visuals and additional content. Recent changes include updated home pages with added informational items. Thousands of lesson plans and instructional tasks are available by exploring the learning standards and performance indicators in the seven content areas.  

 

            In response to several suggestions, a new VLS Resource Search has been implemented.  A user can easily access VLS resources and related information with a few mouse clicks.  Additional search options continue to provide quick access to SED and GEM (Gateway to Educational Materials) resources.  The new VLS site is www.nysvls.org.

 

 

POETRY OUT LOUD CONTEST

 

            High Schools, teachers, and students are invited to participate in the national Poetry Out Loud national contest.  The registration deadline is December 21, 2006.


            Administered in New York State by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) and the New York State Alliance for Arts Education (NYSAAE), Poetry Out Loud provides a new and exciting channel for learning in the English language arts classroom. Students benefit by reading a wide range of literature to build an understanding of texts and the world around them. Additionally, Poetry Out Loud helps students to master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage.

 

            Beginning at the classroom level, winners advance to a school-wide competition, then to a state capital competition, and ultimately to the National Finals in Washington, DC. More than 100,000 students are expected to take part in Poetry Out Loud this year.

 

            To learn more about the competition or to sign up, visit www.nysaae.org/projects.htm.
 

 

PERKINS CTE EDUCATION ACT

 

            Over the summer, the United States Congress overwhelmingly passed the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006, and President Bush signed the legislation in August.  The Act allows for a transition year (2007-2008), and then a five-year implementation plan (2008-2013). 

 

            The success of New York State schools and colleges in carrying out Career and Technical Education programs influenced the substance of the new Perkins Act, and SED is well situated to implement it.  However, there are some new accountability and data requirements that will require changes to our system.  SED is awaiting more information from the United States Department of Education on implementation procedures, and we will provide this information as it becomes available.

 

 

SUMMER STUDY OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS

 

            Each year the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), in collaboration with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, sponsors a two-week, residential, hands-on learning institute focusing on math, science, and technology for high school students and teachers from New York State’s Appalachian Region (Allegany, Broome Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Schoharie, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga and Tompkins counties). 

 

            This year’s institute will be held from July 7 to July 20, 2007.  Spaces have been reserved for two students and two teachers from New York’s Appalachian Region.  Further information about this worthwhile opportunity can be found at the ARC website, http://www.arc.gov/index.jsp

 

 

CALENDAR OF TRAINING WORKSHOPS FOR ADULT EDUCATION PROVIDERS

 

            Are you a teacher or trainer in an adult education or an adult literacy program? You may want to bookmark the Regional Adult Education Network Calendar for up-to-date information about adult educator training: http://calendar.nysed.gov/cgi-bin/Calcium.pl?CalendarName=RAEN

 

            Further information about adult literacy programs and training opportunities can be found on the OCIS Adult Education and Workforce Development homepage at: http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/aewd/. 

11-10-06 (b.mci)