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P-16 News & Notes
From Senior Deputy Commissioner Johanna
Duncan-Poitier |
Back to EMSC Home SED Home Disclaimers and Notices emscsupinfo@mail.nysed.gov |
Important Information on the March 2008 Grade 8 Mathematics Test
We have recently found a minor irregularity in the March 2008 Grade 8 Mathematics Test, Book 1, and as a result, will be replacing the Grade 8 Test Book 1. A notice is being sent to school principals explaining the arrangements for replacing the Grade 8 Test Book 1s, which will be delivered to schools on either Tuesday, March 4, or Wednesday, March 5, 2008.
We wanted to alert you to our plans for addressing this matter as quickly as possible so you could prepare to receive these new materials. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your hard work on behalf of the students in New York State.
Examination Schedules Now Available
The dates for the Elementary and Intermediate Level State Assessments for the 2008-09 school year have been released and can be found at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/osa/sched.html.
June 2008 Regents Examinations in Integrated Algebra
The procedures for administering the June 2008 Regents Examination in Integrated Algebra are now available. A memorandum, which provides details on the special logistics and procedures required for the scoring and standard-setting project established for that examination, can be found at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/osa/mathre/iaplm-08.htm.
In February, Commissioner Richard Mills and Senior Deputy Commissioner Johanna Duncan-Poitier presented testimony on the Board of Regents 2008-09 budget priorities, the Executive budget proposals, and other initiatives.
In addition, an updated analysis of the 2008-09 Executive Budget recommendations is available on the Web at http://www.oms.nysed.gov/budget/bud0809/overview.htm.
Board of Regents Meeting on Career and Technical Education
In December 2007, the Board of Regents discussed a report on career and technical education (CTE) in New York State with information on program quality, data enrollment trends, and CTE’s role in the P-16 agenda as a gap-closing measure. In follow-up to that discussion, the Board of Regents Elementary, Middle, Secondary, and Continuing Education Committee convened the first of its kind, field committee meeting on January 28, 2008. This meeting was dedicated to the topic of CTE and held at the Automotive High School in Brooklyn, New York. During the meeting, the Board of Regents discussed opportunities for systemic improvements for career and technical education as well as opportunities for expanding CTE so that it is available to all interested students. Members of the Board of Regents attending included Vice Chancellor Merryl Tisch, Regent Anthony Bottar, Regent Saul Cohen, Regent Geraldine Chapey, Regent Harry Phillips 3rd, and Regent Roger Tilles. Also attending were Commissioner Richard Mills and Senior Deputy Commissioner Johanna Duncan-Poitier, as well as Superintendents, District Superintendents, leaders in the business community, union leaders, representatives of the New York City Mayor’s Office, and other partners and stakeholders from the CTE community.
Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education (CTE) Improvement Act of 2006 (Perkins IV) State Plan Update
On February 11, 2008, the Board of Regents approved New York State’s Perkins Five-Year State Plan. The New York plan strongly emphasizes increasing access to CTE for all students; improving transitions from high school to postsecondary studies; enhancing training options in high skill, high wage, high demand occupations; creating more flexibility in teacher certification requirements to address the shortage of CTE teachers; and raising awareness of CTE’s benefits to students.
The non-competitive formula grants, (Title I) and competitive
grants (Title II, formerly, called Tech Prep) remain separate
funding streams. General and data-reporting guidance is also forthcoming
for both titles. The final Plan and related documents will be posted
at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/cte/perkins4/sp/home.html
The state plan must be submitted to the U.S. Department of
Education by April 1, 2008. Requests for applications for Title
I and requests for proposals for Title II will be issued early April.
Request for Enrollment and Follow-up Data
On an annual basis, the State Education Department collects enrollment and follow-up data on the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs. The forms and instructional information to be used in providing this information for the 2007-08 school year may be found at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/irts/cteds/home.shtml
On January 31, 2008, Associate Commissioner Jean C. Stevens testified before the New York State Assembly Committee on Education regarding the physical education requirements for New York State’s students. Part 135 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education require that all students attend and participate in physical education as follows:
The Assembly Committee on Education and Governor Spitzer are concerned about compliance with these regulations and have requested State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli to audit school district compliance when performing audits of schools. It is very important that all school districts provide students with required physical education and ensure that the regulations are being met. School districts not currently in compliance with the regulations should be working to come into full compliance. We are happy to provide you with technical assistance or to respond to any questions you may have. Assistance is available by contacting Trish Kocialski, Associate in Physical Education at pkocials@mail.nysed.gov.
The Teachers of Tomorrow Program was established to assist school districts in the recruitment, retention and certification activities necessary to increase the supply of qualified teachers in school districts experiencing a teacher shortage, especially those with Schools Under Registration Review (SURR) and low-performing schools. Up to sixty percent of funds awarded will be made available to any one school district in a city with a population in excess of one million (currently New York City only).
The purpose of the Teachers of Tomorrow Program is to provide a variety of incentives that will encourage prospective teachers to teach in a school district experiencing a teacher shortage or subject shortage, especially those with SURR and low-performing schools. Grant funds may be distributed on a competitive basis by the Office of K-16 Initiatives and Access Programs in the Office of Higher Education to fund activities in each of the following six categories:
School districts that wish to apply for Teachers of Tomorrow funding may access the Request for Proposal (RFP) at http://www.highered.nysed.gov/kiap/TEACHING/tot/totindex.html.
The application for local education agencies (LEAs) to request an exemption from the New York State Education Department to exceed the 1.0 percent cap in counting proficient and advanced students with the most significant cognitive disabilities based on alternate academic achievement standards is now available at: http://www.vesid.nysed.gov/specialed/applications/1percent-2008.htm. Only LEAs including Charter Schools and Special Act School Districts that are subject to accountability under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and that are able to document extraordinary circumstances should submit this application.
The Department is required by the federal government to annually collect the number of "immigrant children and youth" in New York State, as defined by Section 3301(6) of NCLB. The data is used each year to determine each local educational agency's eligibility and allocations for the Title III, Part A Immigrant Education program. As a result, each school district and charter school must count the number of "immigrant children and youth" and report the total to the State Education Department by March 26, 2008. A survey form and additional information are available at http://www.forms.nysed.gov/emsc/biling/immigrantcount2008.htm. Please share this information about the survey with staff responsible for your LEA's Title III program.
The second meeting of the Regents Learning Standards Steering Committee took place on February 27, 2008 in New York City and was attended by Regent Saul Cohen, Committee Chair; Vice Chancellor Merryl Tisch; Regent Roger Tilles; Regent Charles Bendit; and Senior Deputy Commissioner Johanna Duncan-Poitier. Three prominent superintendents conveyed their experiences on preparing all of students in their districts to be successful through their college education. Superintendents William Johnson (Rockville Center), Leslie Loomis (Bethlehem) and John Bierworth (Herricks) shared with the committee how high standards for all students, interdisciplinary approaches to academic preparation, and professional development for teachers and administrators have an important impact on the success of all students. On March 27th, the Committee will have a dialogue with a panel of national researchers to help identify best practices, research based models, and important elements that should be included within the standards review process. In addition, the English Language Arts Standards Review Panel is well underway.
The Batavia City School District (Batavia, New York) has been selected
by the National School Boards Association (NSBA) as one of
three districts in the nation this school year to host a Technology
Tour. Visitors from throughout the United States and Canada
will come to learn first-hand how the District has successfully
used technology to improve student learning. The NSBA Technology
Tour, scheduled for May 4-6, 2008, is a program of their Technology
Leadership Network (TLN) as an innovative way to bring school
boards, administrators, educators, and district technology
teams together to glean the best practices from other districts
in order to make well-informed technology decisions. Congratulations
to Batavia City Schools on this wonderful honor!
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