Committee Report | November 2011

Report of the


REGENTS P-12 EDUCATION COMMITTEE


to


The Board of Regents


November 14, 2011

Your P-12 Education Committee held its scheduled meeting on November 14, 2011.  All members were present, except for Regent Norwood who was excused.

ACTION ITEMS

Update on New York State’s Next Generation Accountability System

Your Committee recommends that the Board of Regents directs the Commissioner of Education and the State Education Department to use the guiding principles in Attachment A of the item to prepare the ESEA Flexibility Request for submission by mid-February 2012.   Attachment A provides a set of suggested principles to guide the modification of the current State accountability system; the timeline that states must adhere to, to receive ESEA flexibility; and the status/timeline for development of New York’s flexibility waiver. The Department is currently developing easy-to-understand materials that can be used to explain the waiver opportunity to stakeholders and to encourage them to provide feedback on the waiver application as it is developed.   [P-12 (A) 1]

Mandate Relief – Special Education Requirements

Your Committee recommends that the Board of Regents directs staff to develop proposed legislation to amend sections 4402 and 4410 and repeal section 4402(1)(d) of Education Law, as described in the item, relating to CSE and CPSE membership.  The recommendation to amend section 4402 was approved by a vote of 11-2, with Regent Cashin and Regent Rosa in opposition.  The recommendations to amend section 4410 and repeal section 4402(1)(d) were approved unanimously by a vote of 13-0.

Your Committee recommends that the Board of Regents directs staff to develop proposed legislation to repeal a requirement in section 4410(4)(b) and amend section 4410(9-a) of Education Law, and develop proposed regulations to amend section 200.16(c), (e) and (f) of Commissioner’s Regulations, as described in the item, relating to Preschool Evaluations.  This recommendation was approved by a vote of 11-0.  Regent Tallon and Regent Dawson were not present for this vote, however, Regent Tallon indicated that he would be in favor of the recommendation.

Your Committee recommends that the Board of Regents directs staff to develop proposed regulations to repeal a requirement in section 200.4(b)(2) of Commissioner’s Regulations, as described in the item, relating to Individual Evaluations. This recommendation was approved by a vote of 12-0.  Regent Tallon was not present for the vote but indicated that he would be in favor of the recommendation.

Your Committee recommends that the Board of Regents directs staff to develop proposed legislation to repeal section 4402(1)(b)(3)(h) and repeal a requirement in section 4402(1)(b)(3)(d-2) of Education Law, as described in the item, relating to Planning and Reporting Requirements.  This recommendation was approved by a vote of 12-0.  Regent Tallon was not present for the vote but indicated that he would be in favor of the recommendation.

Your Committee recommends that the Board of Regents directs staff to develop proposed legislation to repeal section 4403(18) of Education Law, as described above, relating to Approval of Certain EI Services.  This recommendation was approved by a vote of 12-0.  Regent Tallon was not present for the vote but indicated that he would be in favor of the recommendation.

Your Committee recommends that the Board of Regents directs staff to develop proposed legislation to repeal certain requirements in section 4201 of Education Law, as described above, relating to Commissioner’s Appointments to State-Supported Schools.   This recommendation was approved by a vote of 12-0.  Regent Tallon was not present for the vote but indicated that he would be in favor of the recommendation.     [P-12 (A) 2]

Issuance of the Charter School Requests for Proposals (RFPs)

Your Committee recommends that the Board of Regents directs the Commissioner of Education and the State Education Department to develop and issue the Charter School Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and to conduct an application review process, on behalf of the Board of Regents.  [P-12 (A) 3]

MOTION FOR ACTION BY FULL BOARD

           

Madam Chancellor and Colleagues: Your P-12 Education Committee recommends, and I move, that the Board of Regents act affirmatively upon each recommendation in the written report of the Committee's deliberations at its meeting on November 14, 2011, copies of which have been distributed to each Regent.

MATTERS NOT REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

Raising the Academic Achievement of English Language Learners (ELLs) – The Committee discussed current regulations related to English language learners and the need to review these regulations in light of the latest research and data on the recent performance of ELLs in New York State based upon the types of programs, services and support they have received.  As the Regents move forward with implementing their reform agenda, now is an opportune time to review whether these regulations should be amended to better align with the goal of ensuring that all students receive an education that prepares them to achieve success in relation to college and career ready standards.  The Committee has requested that staff come back in December to continue this discussion and further define the specific sections of CR Part 154 to be targeted for possible revision.    [P-12 (D) 1]

Implementation of the Common Core Standards – The Committee was given an update on the statewide implementation of the Common Core standards and the tools, resources, and training that are currently being used or are under development by the Department to better prepare teachers and principals for effective instruction aligned with the Common Core standards.  Additionally, the Department will be aligning State assessments to the Common Core beginning with the 3-8 ELA and Math assessments in the 2012-13 school year.  Staff will periodically provide updates to the Committee relating to the implementation of the Common Core standards and all issues related to the Regents reform agenda.   [P-12 (D) 2]

Testing Integrity Update – the Committee was given an update on issues relating to testing integrity including the appointment of an independent investigator and next steps by the Department.