Important News
April 2008 Memorandum on Revision of the New June 2008
Physical Setting/Earth Science Performance Test (Part D) and Change
in the Procedures for Students Retaking the Regents Examination in
Physical Setting/Earth Science
This memorandum is intended for use by school administrators, Science
Department Chairpersons and Earth Science teachers and provides information
on two changes impacting the Physical Setting/Earth Science Performance
Test (Part D). A revision has been made to the originally planned June
2008 Physical Setting/Earth Science Performance Test (Part D). The
new version of the Part D will include hands-on laboratory activities
that students will perform at three stations rather than four. In addition,
effective June 2008, all students taking the June 2008 Regents Examination
in Physical Setting/Earth Science, including those retaking the written
examination, must take the new version of the Part D. Scores earned
on the Earth Science Performance Test in conjunction with prior administrations
of this written examination may no longer be carried over and applied
to the student’s final examination score for this Regents Examination.
For more information, please visit: http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/osa/hssci.html.
The New York State Education Department encourages school
and community stakeholders interested in the quality and effectiveness
of children's social and emotional development to attend the regional
public forums for the Children's Mental Health Plan. For more information,
please see http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/sss/SEDL.htm
NEW! Grades 3-8 ELA Assessments to be Released
Earlier this school year it was announced that results for the 2008
Grades 3-8 English Language Arts (ELA) assessments would be released
to districts and the public in May. For 2008, both ELA and math results
are scheduled for release to districts on the nySTART data reporting
system and to the public in June, to allow time for the first round
of improvements to that system. Questions about the release of
data or nySTART can be directed to the Office of Information and Reporting
Services at (518) 474-7965.
NEW! New York State Finalists for the Intel Science Talent Search
2008
Congratulations to the fifteen New York State students recently recognized
as the top forty finalists for the nationally acclaimed Intel Science
Talent Search 2008. Deserving of special recognition are fourth place
finisher, Katherine Banks from Stuyvesant High School in New York City,
sixth place finisher, David Rosengarten from John L. Miller-Great Neck
North High School in Great Neck, and ninth place finisher, Alexis Mychajliw
from Paul D. Schreiber High School in Port Washington.
To be recognized as a finalist in this prestigious talent search is
a dream of many students but a reality of few. More than 1,600 students
entered this year's competition. All fifteen finalists, their parents,
their schools, and their communities should be very proud of this remarkable
achievement. More information on Intel's annual science talent search
may be accessed at http://www.intel.com/education/sts/index.htm.
NEW! 2008 National Youth Science Camp New York State Delegates Announced
Congratulations to Vanessa Baratta from Thomas High School in Webster
and Sheel Tyle from Pittsford Mendon High School in Pittsford for their
selection as the New York State delegates to the 2008 National Youth
Science Camp (NYSC). Emily Melvin from General Douglas MacArthur High
School, William Hutchison from Warwick Valley High School, and Cornelia
Willis from Clarence High School were selected as first, second, and
third alternates, respectively. The delegates and alternates, as well
as, their parents, schools, and communities should be very proud of
this accomplishment.
Established in 1963 as a part of West Virginia’s Centennial Celebration,
the NYSC is an annual summer forum where two delegates representing
each state exchange ideas with leading scientists and other professionals
from academic and corporate worlds. Delegates to the NYSC are challenged
to explore new areas in the biological and physical sciences, art,
and music with resident staff members. Delegates also present seminars
covering their own areas of research and interest. More information
about the NYSC may be accessed at http://www.nysc.org/.
The NYSED Champlain/Hudson/Fulton
Commemoration Online Resource
The Curriculum, Instruction and Instructional Technology Team has been
posted a Champlain/Hudson/Fulton Commemorations Online Resource at: http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/chf/chf.html to
help local school districts celebrate the 400th anniversary of the
Samuel de Champlain and Henry Hudson explorations, and the 200th anniversary
of the launching of Robert Fulton’s steamboat, Clermont. This
online resource includes 10 standards-based, interdisciplinary elementary,
middle and commencement level instructional modules and 3 scholarly
overviews that focus on the broad themes of encounter, trade and commerce.
It also provides Strategies
for Using the Champlain, Hudson, Fulton Online Resource that
was designed to help local school districts infuse the modules into
their local instructional programs.
NEW! Essential Elements Schools to Watch - Designees for 2008
NYSED is pleased to announce the 4th cohort of Essential Elements Schools
to Watch. Pioneer MS in Yorkshire, NY and Islip MS in Islip, NY have
joined eight other NY Middle Schools as models of Academic Excellence,
Developmental Responsiveness, Social Equity and Organization. Visit
this site for more information, http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/mle/EESTW/eestwdesignees08.htm.
Commissioner Richard P. Mills Designates New York State’s United
States Senate Youth Delegates and Alternates
Each
year, in cooperation with the William Randolph Hearst Foundation the
New York State Education Department sponsors the United States Senate
Youth Program. This year, two high school student leaders have been
selected to represent New York State in a week long government and
leadership program in Washington D. C., March 1 – 8, 2008. Each
delegate receives a $5,000 college scholarship award.
New
York State’s student delegates for 2008 are Ms. Emily G. Cusick,
Shenendehowa High School, Clifton Park, NY and Ms. Julie Raisch, Northport
High School, Northport, NY. Ms. Kerime Sule Akoglu of Hicksville High
School, Hicksville, NY was selected as First Alternate and Ms. Kailene
Dadey, East Syracuse-Minoa Central High School, East Syracuse, NY was
selected as Second Alternate.
Information
regarding the 2008-2009 United State Senate Youth Program and application
forms will be posted on the NYSED Social Studies Website http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/social.html in
early August 2008.
Presidential Awards for Mathematics and Science
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. NYSED seeks nominations of 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 NYSED 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.
Examination Schedules:
The May 2008 Component Retesting and
August 2008 Examination Schedules have been posted at: http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/osa/sched.html.
Last Updated:
Monday, April 21, 2008
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