An "Internal" newsletter for staff in the Office of Elementary, Middle, Secondary and Continuing Education

·        The grades 4 and 8 English language arts test score reports have been mailed to schools.  School and district summary data will be embargoed until the Commissioner releases the data at a press conference scheduled on June 3.  For information contact Martha Musser at 474-7965.

·        In May, the Regents discussed a revised strategy for implementing the Regents Policy Statement on Middle-Level Education.  The revised strategy was developed based on comments received from key constituency groups on a proposed strategy presented to the Regents in February and March.  The revised strategy reinforces the importance of student learning in English, social studies, science, math, art/music and physical education; revises the instructional time required in Technology Education and Home and Career Skills to provide additional time for academic intervention, acceleration, expansion of exploratory courses and youth development activities; requires all schools to use State guidelines to evaluate whether they have the conditions that support student learning; calls for a structured school improvement process and requires low-performing middle schools to use it; and establishes a "next generation schools program" for the participation of 25 middle schools.  The Regents will continue to discuss their strategy for implementation over the next few months.  The full report is available at www.regents.nysed.gov under materials for the May meeting of the Regents EMSC-VESID Committee.  For information contact David Payton at 474-0537.

·        In May, the Regents received data on students with disabilities for the 2002-2003 school year.  The press release and powerpoint presentation are accessible at www.oms.nysed.gov/press/.  New York continues to exceed the national average in the number of special education students placed in general education classes for 80 percent or more of the school day.  Achievement is improving significantly in elementary school math and somewhat in middle school math.  Performance in elementary and middle school English declined, possibly as a result of the elimination of some testing modifications.  More students with disabilities are taking and passing Regents exams and more are graduating and getting Regents and local diplomas.  For information contact Rebecca Cort at 474-2714.

·        CTB/McGraw Hill was awarded the contracts for developing the assessments in elementary and intermediate English language arts and mathematics for grades 3-8.  Regional meetings will be held in the fall to update school officials on the status of these tests, including information on the format, length and score reporting systems for the tests.  For information contact David Abrams at 473-7880.

 Building Capacity:

·        Grant awards for the Title II, Part D, Enhancing Education Through Technology, under NCLB were announced.  A total of $50 million in the first full year of funding has been awarded to 46 local educational agencies to support improved student achievement in math and/or English language arts through the effective integration of education technologies into curriculum and instruction practices.  For information contact Anne Schiano at 474-5922.

·        As part of the development of the Regents 2005-06 State Aid proposal, the Regents began discussion in May on special education funding.  Forums are scheduled in September to seek public comment on a series of questions.  The dates for the forums are included in the Regents item available at www.regents.nysed.gov under materials for the Subcommittee on State Aid.  For information contact Deborah Cunningham at 474-6541.

·        The final 2004-05 Consolidated Application Update and Title I Application Supplement for the No Child Left Behind Act and other associated documents are available at www.emsc.nysed.gov.  The Title III, Part A Language Instruction for Limited English Proficient and Immigrant Students program, is included under the Consolidated Application for the first time.  For information contact Roberto Reyes at 473-0295.