Important News
9/23/08 - Additional information is now available on
the Department's Student Support Services website regarding dental
health certificates. Beginning September 1, 2008 schools are required
to request a dental health certificate of students at the same time
that a health certificate/appraisal is required in grades pre-K or
K, 2, 4, 7, and 10. A sample certificate is available on the Department's
website at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/sss/HealthServices/. Also available
on the Department's Office of Professions website is a Q & A to
assist dentists in completing the certificate at http://www.op.nysed.gov/dentnews.htm . The New York State Department of Health will be providing a list
of dentists who are willing to perform the dental exam free or at reduced
cost. This list will be posted as soon as it becomes available.
8/20/08 - 19
Schools Named as "Persistently Dangerous” Under NCLB -
State Education Commissioner Richard Mills announced that 19 schools
have been identified as “persistently dangerous” under
the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Last year 27 schools
were identified. Pursuant to federal requirements, the list of schools
is being announced so that parents can exercise their right of school
choice.
8/6/08 - Clarifying Information on Dental Certificates for Students
Entering School:
We have recently received questions from the field about amendments
to Education law §903 regarding dental health certificates for
students entering school. In response to your questions,
we wanted to take this opportunity to provide some clarifying information
regarding the statutory changes.
First, changes to the law will take effect on September 1, 2008. Since
the law is not in effect at this time, school districts need not yet
request dental health certificates from parents and guardians.
Beginning on September 1, 2008 and thereafter, schools will be required
to request, or ask, if a student has a dental health certificate at
the same time that a health certificate is provided to the school.
Students are permitted to attend school, however, even if they have
not provided a dental health certificate; the dental health certificate
is not required for school attendance.
The Regents recently adopted regulations (link to http://www.regents.nysed.gov/2008Meetings/June2008/0608emscd1.htm)
which will take effect on September 1, 2008 concerning the dental health
certificates.
To provide further assistance to schools, a sample form is being developed
collaboratively with the Department’s Office of Professions and
the Department of Health. The Department is also collaborating
to create a list of dentists who will provide examinations for free
or at a reduced cost. We will share this information with you
as soon as it becomes available.
7/23/08 - The New York State Education Department
in conjunction with the New York State Center for School Safety is
pleased to present its 2008 VADIR (Violent and Disruptive Incident
Reporting) staff development schedule. The Department urges all local
education agencies, Boards of Cooperative Educational Services and
Charter Schools to send the following school officials to the staff
development session: Superintendent, School Building Leaders, Parent
Coordinator(s), School Resource Officers, VADIR Dedicated Staff, Teachers,
SAPIS Workers, and Pupil Personnel Services Staff. For more information
please visit the following web address and call the contact person
indicated to attend the session since space may be limited: http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/sss/SDFSCA/uvir/home_uvir_vadir.htm For
additional information contact: Kojo Attah at kattah@mail.nysed.gov or
518-486-5315.
Associate Commissioner's Presentation
at the DATAG Conference in Albany on Friday, July 11, 2008 may be viewed
here.
Associatie Commissioner's
Presentation to the Administrator's Leadership Conference on Wednesday,
July 9, 2008 may be viewed here.
Last Updated: Wednesday,
August 6, 2008
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