News From NYSED http://www.nysed.gov http://www.nysed.gov http://usny.nysed.gov/images/nysed_gov.jpg 144 32 News From NYSED The NYSED Curriculum, Instruction & Instructional Technology (CI&IT) Team's June 24, 2009 E-Blast is now available. It is also available on the NYSED CI&IT homepage, http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/, by clicking on "E-Blast" in the left navigation column. http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/eblast/ http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/eblast/ Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:56:00 EDT The State Board of Regents today discussed a number of issues related to New York's high school graduation rate. Among the issues discussed were the following: how students, particularly those with the lowest graduation rates, performed; whether to set new graduation rate goals and targets; whether to use a 4 and/or 5-year graduation rate; what the impact of phasing-out the local diploma will be; and how to improve the reliability of the data that districts report to the Education Department. To guide their decision-making on these issues, the Regents reviewed newly available graduation rate data. http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/gradrates20090622.html http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/gradrates20090622.html Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:06:00 EDT Achievement in math in grades 3-8 has improved overall this year, according to 2009 test results announced today by Regents Chancellor Merryl H. Tisch and State Education Commissioner Richard Mills. Eighty-six percent (86.4%) of students across grades 3-8 achieved the standards in math this year, compared with 80.7 percent last year. More of this year's students are meeting the standards than did students in those grades four years ago. Despite these improvements, many students are still not meeting the standards. http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/Math3-8Results2009.htm http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/Math3-8Results2009.htm Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:02:00 EDT Marion Blumenthal Lazan, a Holocaust survivor and community educator in Hewlett, today received the 2008 Louis E. Yavner Citizen Award. Helene Alalouf, a Holocaust educator and retired English teacher in the Yonkers Public Schools, received the 2008 Louis E. Yavner Teaching Award. Established by the New York State Board of Regents and funded by the late Regent Emeritus Louis E. Yavner of New York City, who served on the Board from 1975-1981, the annual awards recognize teachers and private citizens who have made outstanding contributions to teaching about the Holocaust and other violations of human rights. http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/YavnerAward05182009.html http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/YavnerAward05182009.html Wed, 27 May 2009 15:18:00 EDT Achievement in English in grades 3-8 has improved overall this year, according to 2009 test results announced today by Regents Chancellor Merryl H. Tisch and State Education Commissioner Richard Mills. (Press conference archived webcast and materials are available.) http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/ELA3-8TestResults2009.htm http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/ELA3-8TestResults2009.htm Thu, 07 May 2009 16:15:00 EDT Information in the form of Questions and Answers for educators regarding H1N1 (Swine) Flu. http://usny.nysed.gov/flu/fluqaMay42009.html http://usny.nysed.gov/flu/fluqaMay42009.html Tue, 05 May 2009 11:43:00 EDT New York State Education Commissioner Richard P. Mills and New York State Department of Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines update schools and other educators with information on H1N1 (Swine) Flu. DOH Memo, "Educational Institutions: Update #1," is included. http://usny.nysed.gov/flu/flumemoMay12009.html http://usny.nysed.gov/flu/flumemoMay12009.html Sat, 02 May 2009 10:40:00 EDT The sixth statewide "Empire Promise Summit: Building Our Economic and Intellectual Capacity" will take place on April 29-30, 2009 at the Holiday Inn Turf, Albany, NY. The Empire Promise Summit is organized by the Liberty Partnerships Programs, a pre-collegiate/school dropout prevention initiative of the New York State Education Department, Office of K-16 Initiatives. http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/LibertyPartnerships.html http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/LibertyPartnerships.html Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:14:00 EDT New York State Education Commissioner Richard P. Mills and New York State Department of Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines send memo with information on H1N1 (Swine Flu) to school administrators and other educators. http://usny.nysed.gov/swine-flu-info.html http://usny.nysed.gov/swine-flu-info.html Tue, 28 Apr 2009 09:00:00 EDT The State Education Department announced today the release of 2008 School Report Cards for all schools and districts throughout New York. The Report Cards are available on the web at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/irts/. Much of the data contained in the School Report Cards has already been publicly released throughout the past year, but the Report Cards represent a single place for finding all of that information. http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/2008SchoolReportCardsReleasedforSchoolsandDistrictsStatewide.htm http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/2008SchoolReportCardsReleasedforSchoolsandDistrictsStatewide.htm Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:38:00 EDT The New York State Board of Regents announced today that Carole F. Huxley has been appointed as Interim New York State Education Commissioner, effective July 1, 2009. Carole Huxley had previously served the Education Department as Deputy Commissioner for Cultural Education for 24 years, retiring in November of 2006. Carole Huxley will begin service on May 15, working alongside current Commissioner Mills until he steps down at the end of June. She will assume the office and duties of Education Commissioner and President of The University of New York on July 1, 2009. http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/CHuxleyintcomm.html http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/CHuxleyintcomm.html Tue, 21 Apr 2009 09:53:00 EDT A total of 543 elementary, middle and high schools and 53 districts have been identified by the State Education Department as "in Need of Improvement" under the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. Of these, 62 schools and four districts were newly identified this school year. All Schools in Need of Improvement (SINI) and Districts in Need of Improvement (DINI) receive federal Title I funds and must take a variety of actions under federal law. In addition, 85 schools and 11 districts have been removed from the Title I improvement list because they have made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for two consecutive years in all areas for which they were identified. This represents a substantial increase from the 46 schools and four districts that were removed from school improvement last year. http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/SINI2009.htm http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/SINI2009.htm Tue, 17 Mar 2009 12:24:00 EDT I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as Chancellor of the New York State Board of Regents at this critical moment for New York's three million school children. I look forward to working closely with Dr. Milton L. Cofield, Vice Chancellor-Elect, who is a tireless advocate for educational excellence. http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/StatementofDr.MerrylH.Tisch.htm http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/StatementofDr.MerrylH.Tisch.htm Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:07:00 EDT Robert M. Bennett, Chancellor of the New York State Board of Regents, announced today that he is stepping down as Chancellor but will remain as a member of the Board and continue to represent the 8th Judicial District in Western New York. http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/ChancellorBennettRelease.htm http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/ChancellorBennettRelease.htm Mon, 2 Mar 2009 15:27:00 EST State Education Commissioner Richard Mills today removed 25 schools from Schools Under Registration Review (SURR) status, the largest number of schools ever removed from registration review in a year. SURR schools are those farthest from meeting State standards and face the possibility of closure if they do not make improvements required by the Commissioner.The Commissioner also announced that he had placed an additional five schools under registration review and that four schools in New York City and Buffalo that otherwise would have been named to SURR status will be phased out and closed under agreements with the districts. http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/SURRSCHOOLS2009.htm http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/SURRSCHOOLS2009.htm Mon, 2 Mar 2009 15:27:00 EST The State Education Department (SED) agrees with the findings of the Office of State Comptroller (OSC) regarding criminal history background checks for school employees. SED has instituted the recommendations of the OSC and has made other significant improvements to strengthen the process that will ensure that those hired to work in our schools are properly screened. http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/CriminalHistoryBackgroundChecks.htm http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/CriminalHistoryBackgroundChecks.htm Fri, 13 Feb 2009 10:43:00 EST Advanced Placement (AP) results released today by the College Board show that many of New York's high school students are well prepared for the academic challenges of college. New York is again one of the nation's leaders in the percentage of students scoring a three or better on at least one AP exam, which indicates mastery. http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/APresults.htm http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/APresults.htm Fri, 13 Feb 2009 10:43:00 EST The New York State Board of Regents seeks applications and nominations for the position of Commissioner of Education. Our goal is to find an accomplished leader who will bring New York State to the forefront in educational achievement. We need a visionary to manage the State's educational resources to raise achievement for all students, close the achievement gap, and raise the State's graduation rate. http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/search/ http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/search/ Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:05:00 EST The New York State Education Department is accepting applications for the 2009 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) from public or nonpublic, nonprofit school food authorities; all local, county, municipal, or state governmental entities; migrant programs; nonprofit agencies; and residential camps interested and eligible in sponsoring an SFSP Program. http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/SummerFoodService.2009.htm http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/SummerFoodService.2009.htm Fri, 30 Jan 2009 11:53:00 EST Nominate an outstanding teacher in your school for the 2010 New York State Teacher of the Year. Deadline for Applications is February 13, 2009. http://www.highered.nysed.gov/kiap/TEACHING/toty/totyindex.htm http://www.highered.nysed.gov/kiap/TEACHING/toty/totyindex.htm Thu, 15 Jan 2009 12:24:00 EST From Senior Deputy Commissioner Johanna Duncan-Poitier http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/deputy/mailbroadcast/mail163.html http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/deputy/mailbroadcast/mail163.html Wed, 14 Jan 2009 11:43:00 EST Governor David A. Paterson today received the final report of the Temporary Special Advisory Panel On Driver Education Availability and Curriculum Enhancement. The report, which was also sent to the Legislature, provides recommendations on improving driver education and making it more available to young drivers across New York State. The report was forwarded to the Governor and the Legislature by New York State Commissioner of Education Richard P. Mills and New York State Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles David J. Swarts, co-chairs of the panel. http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/DriverEd12-31-08.html http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/DriverEd12-31-08.html Fri, 2 Jan 2009 11:45:00 EST Clearly, this is a challenging time – both in terms of the depth and the expected duration of our economic downturn. Earlier this month, the Board of Regents presented a responsible State Aid proposal that balances the needs of our children with the State's fiscal realities. http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/ExecBudget2009-10Statement.htm http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/ExecBudget2009-10Statement.htm Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:22:00 EST In response to the State's economic crisis, the Board of Regents has proposed an increase in State Aid that is almost $1 billion less than the increase previously enacted by the State. The Regents today approved their 2009-10 State Aid proposal, recommending an increase of $879 million for the upcoming year. This amount represents a 4.1% increase over the previous year. http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/stateaid_2009.htm http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/stateaid_2009.htm Thu, 4 Dec 2008 14:10:00 EST Today's release of Measuring Up, a biennial study of various higher education metrics, including college affordability, in the United States, contains inaccuracies regarding higher education costs in New York State. http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/MeasuringUp.htm http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/MeasuringUp.htm Thu, 4 Dec 2008 11:50:00 EST Elementary school students in 51 schools around the state will be getting fresh fruit and vegetables for snacks during their school day under a new program being administered by the New York State Education Department. A total of $1,730,384 is being allocated through grant awards to 51 schools as part of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/FreshFruitandVegetables.htm http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/FreshFruitandVegetables.htm Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:40:00 EST State Education Commissioner Richard Mills announced today the approval of Contracts for Excellence between the Department and ten school districts throughout the State. This follows the announcement on October 3 of the Commissioner's approval of Contracts in 26 districts. http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/ContractsforExcellenceRound2.htm http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/ContractsforExcellenceRound2.htm Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:43:00 EST After serving for more than thirteen years as New York's Education Commissioner, Richard P. Mills today announced that he has notified the Board of Regents of his decision to resign from Office by the end of June 2009. http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/CommMillsAnnouncesResignation.htm http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/CommMillsAnnouncesResignation.htm Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:40:00 EST From Senior Deputy Commissioner Johanna Duncan-Poitier http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/deputy/mailbroadcast/mail160.html http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/deputy/mailbroadcast/mail160.html Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:45:00 EDT The Board of Regents today announced the appointment of Bernard A. Margolis as the New York State Librarian. He will assume his new responsibilities in January 2009. http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/nyslibr.html http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/nyslibr.htm Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:33:00 EDT According to the provisions of Chapter 33 of the Laws of 2002, the New York State Board of Regents is authorized to fill any vacancies on the Interim Board of Education of the Roosevelt Union Free School District. http://usny.nysed.gov/info/ http://usny.nysed.gov/info/ Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:17:00 EDT The State Education Department has awarded the 2008 Marge A. Tierney Scholarship Award to Ms. Lynn Gorczyca of Irving, NY. Ms. Gorczyca is a graduate student in the Rehabilitation Counseling program at the State University of New York at Buffalo. http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/tierneyawd.htm http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/tierneyawd.htm Tue, 21 Oct 2008 12:17:00 EDT The Board of Regents invites nominations for the 2008 Louis E. Yavner Teaching and Citizen Awards. These awards provide recognition of a teacher and a citizen who have made outstanding contributions to New York State education about the Holocaust and other violations of human rights. The awards were established by the Regents and funded by the late Regent Emeritus Louis E. Yavner. The deadline for submission of nominations is Friday, January 30, 2009. http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/yavner.html http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/yavner.html Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:57:00 EDT New York State schools are invited to submit student artwork based on Dr. King's Six Principles of Nonviolence and essays on celebrating his birthday throughout the year. The categories are writing, painting, drawing, sculpting and photography. All entries must be postmarked by December 5, 2008 and will be placed on display for viewing one week prior to the King Holiday January 19, 2009 in Albany, New York. http://www.oms.nysed.gov/hr/MLK08Arts_EssayMemo.html http://www.oms.nysed.gov/hr/MLK08Arts_EssayMemo.html Thu, 09 Oct 2008 11:35:00 EDT These reports are produced to inform the people of New York State about the recent performance of public schools. We hope that these reports are used in constructive conversations which lead to improved education for all children in the State. http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/irts/reportcard/ http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/irts/reportcard/ Mon, 09 Jul 2007 11:58:00 EST The State Board of Regents convened leaders from education, business, and community service organizations to confront tremendous educational challenges. We must continue to close the achievement gaps that exist from early childhood through postsecondary education while also raising the performance of the entire system to the level needed to sustain the state's economy in the face of global competition. We have made progress over the last decade, yet the gaps in achievement and productivity persist and impede New York's economic and civic vitality. http://usny.nysed.gov/summit/index.html http://usny.nysed.gov/summit/index.html A great deal of information, including direct mailings to K-8 teachers and regional meetings across the state, will be made available to teachers and administrators - test design, time requirements, etc. so that the field is fully informed and can offer their insights. Sample questions at each grade level in each subject will also be provided. In addition, curricular and other resources for teachers will be provided on our website. http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/3-8/ http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/3-8/ The purpose of the New York State Education Department's Virtual Learning System is to encourage the use of the Internet as a tool for teaching and learning and to assist classroom teachers in locating Internet resources for instruction. VLS offers the full text of New York State's learning standards with their key ideas and performance indicators, as well as alternate performance indicators for students with severe disabilities. It provides resources that classroom teachers can use to support preK-12 standards-based instruction, such as sample tasks, learning experiences and lesson plans. http://eservices.nysed.gov/vls/ http://eservices.nysed.gov/vls/ The Love Your Library license plate is now available from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. Proceeds from the plate's annual fee will help support the New York State Library's Statewide Summer Reading Program at public libraries across the State. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/lylplate/ http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/lylplate/ The Commissioner's monthly report to the Board of Regents featuring information on the Regents School Accountability Plan, Challenges to the Regents Exams, and other relevant topics. http://www.oms.nysed.gov/comm/ http://www.oms.nysed.gov/comm/