Report of Regents P-12 Education Committee to The Board of Regents

Your P-12 Education Committee held its scheduled meeting on June 17, 2013.  All members were present.

ACTION ITEMS

Protection of People with Special Needs Act

Your Committee recommends that paragraphs (3) and (6) of subdivision (b) of section 200.7 and section 200.15 of the Regulations of the Commissioner be amended as submitted, effective June 30, 2013, as an emergency action upon a finding by the Board of Regents that such action is necessary for the preservation of the general welfare in order to immediately conform the Regulations of the Commissioner to the requirements of Chapter 501 of the Laws of 2012, so that such requirements may be fully implemented by the Department, residential schools, and other affected parties by the June 30, 2013 effective date, and thereby ensure that students attending residential schools are protected against abuse, neglect and significant incidents that may jeopardize their health, safety and welfare.   [P-12 (A) 2]

New York State Career Development and Occupational Studies Commencement Credential (NYS CDOS Commencement Credential)

Your Committee recommends that subparagraph (i) of paragraph (7) of subdivision (b) of section 100.5; section 100.6; and subparagraph (iii) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (a) of section 200.5 of the Regulations of the Commissioner relating to the establishment of a New York State Career Development and Occupational Studies Commencement Credential (NYS CDOS Commencement Credential) be amended, as submitted, effective July 3, 2013.  Department actions to support implementation of the credential will be discussed at the July 2013 Board of Regents Meeting. [P-12 (A) 3]

MOTION FOR ACTION BY FULL BOARD

Madam Chancellor and Colleagues: Your P-12 Education Committee recommends, and we move, that the Board of Regents act affirmatively upon each recommendation in the written report of the Committee's deliberations at its meeting on June 18, 2013, copies of which have been distributed to each Regent.

MATTERS NOT REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

Common Core Implementation Update – The Committee was provided with an update on the Department’s progress in implementing the Common Core Learning Standards.  Discussion focused on the instructional shifts, evidence collection tools, and the tristate rubric used to evaluate local criteria.  The Committee watched two videos that illustrated the Common Core shifts and teacher practice.  

Regents Research Paper – The Committee discussed proposed regulatory amendments to Commissioner’s Regulations that would establish a Regents Research Paper requirement as an opportunity for students to demonstrate necessary college and career readiness skills and CCLS writing standards that cannot be measured in an examination setting due to time constraints.  The regulation would require the completion of a Regents Research Paper for graduation with a Regents or local high school diploma, beginning with those students who first enter grade 9 in September 2013 or thereafter.  Committee members requested that more detailed information be provided to guide the discussion when the proposed amendment is submitted to the Board of Regents for adoption in September.   [P-12 (D) 1]

BOCES Space Plan Update – The Committee discussed proposed amendments to Commissioner’s Regulations to repeal the special education space plan requirements and add a requirement that BOCES district superintendents must determine the adequacy and appropriateness of facilities space housing special education programs in the geographic area of their BOCES.  This is a result of mandate relief discussions held in April 2009, where the Board of Regents discussed specific State law/regulation requirements in special education that, if repealed or amended, may result in administrative relief and/or cost savings to school districts.  As a result of this discussion, and in consideration of public comment, the Regents provided support for a limited number of these proposals including that the Department seek legislation to repeal space planning requirements while retaining the requirement to ensure stability of space for students with disabilities.   [P-12 (D) 2]

Expanded Learning Time – The 2013-2014 enacted budget provides $20 million for the 2013-2014 school year to increase school-wide learning opportunities in high-quality expanded school day and/or expanded school year programs with a focus on improving academic achievement.  The Committee participated in a panel discussion with school leaders from across the state to talk about their extended day and expanded school year programs.   Panel members included:

• Michael Toise, Principal, Manhattan Comprehensive Night and Day High School School
• Dr. Peter McFarlane, Principal, Hugo Newman College Preparatory School
• Laura Kelley, Chief Academic Officer, Syracuse City School District

 [P-12 (D) 3]

Community Schools - The 2012-2013 enacted budget provides for a $15 million Community Schools initiative, of the $75 million NY Education Reform Commission Competitive Grants. The purpose of the grant program is to provide resources for eligible applicants to reconfigure current or integrate existing programs and sources of funding with this new initiative to reach and support at-risk and high-need students and families in their respective communities through enhanced and coordinated service delivery.  The Committee participated in a panel discussion with community leaders from community based organizations.  Panel members included:

• Jane Quinn, Vice President and Director of National Center for Community Schools – Children’s Aid Society
• Melanie Mullan, Vice President, Turnarond for Children, Inc.
• Antonina Simeti, Director of Planning and Implementation, Community Learning Schools. 

Staff will develop a request for proposals in coordination with the New York State Council on Children and Families to implement community schools programs that use school buildings as community hubs to deliver co-located or school-linked academic, health, mental health, nutrition, counseling, legal and/or other services to students and their families. [P-12 (D) 4]

Increasing Access and Quality of Universal Prekindergarten Grant - The 2013-2014 enacted state budget provided $25 million in competitive grant funding to establish new full-day and half-day pre-kindergarten placements and to convert existing half-day placements into full-day placements based, in part, on district and student need.  Budget funds will be used to expand the NYSED’s Universal Preschool program to high need children in high need districts in order to increase learning opportunities and support young children’s development in early childhood education. This support results in children who can enter kindergarten better prepared to learn and succeed in elementary and secondary schools.  [P-12 (D) 5]

Update on Enrollment and Retention Targets for Charter Schools – the Committee was updated on the ongoing work relating to enrollment and retention targets for charter schools.  In December 2012, the Department posted the final enrollment and retention calculators and these targets are now applicable, per statute, to new schools that opened after fall 2010 and schools that have been renewed since January 2011. At charter renewal, New York State charter authorizers must take into consideration the extent to which schools meet or exceed their enrollment and retention targets. Staff from the Department’s Charter Schools Office and the SUNY Charter Schools Institute worked together to implement this statutory requirement.  The Committee also discussed the 2013-14 release of a Stability Index for all public schools in the State.  The proposed Stability Index will calculate the number of students who persist in enrollment for all public schools in the state. For public charter schools the Index may provide the Department with additional data regarding enrollment trends that, in combination with a public inquiry or evidence from a site visit, may trigger a formal audit from the Department. These types of audits are fully within the scope of the Department’s authority to conduct investigations and audits into any inquiry to ensure compliance with law and charter.   [P-12 (D) 6]

Consent Agenda Items

            The Board of Regents will take action on the following consent agenda items at their June 18, 2013 meeting.

• Amendment of Section 8.3 of the Rules of the Board of Regents relating to State Assessments
• Amendment of Section 119.7 relating to Renewal of Charters of Charter Schools Authorized by the Board of Regents
• Amendment to Section 200.5 relating to Prior Written Notice and Parental Consent for the Use of Public Benefits or Insurance.