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

Your P-12 Education Committee held its scheduled meeting on November 17, 2014.  All members were present, except for Regent Phillips and Regent Norwood, who were excused.

ACTION ITEMS

Transition to the Regents Examination in Algebra I (Common Core) [P-12 (A) 1]

Your Committee recommends that clause (a) of subparagraph (ii) of paragraph 1) of subdivision (g) of section 100.5 of the Regulations of the Commissioner is amended as submitted, effective November 18, 2014, 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 ensure that school districts and students are given sufficient notice to prepare for and timely implement in the 2014-2015 school year the provision providing, at the local school district's discretion, an additional opportunity for students receiving Algebra I (Common Core) instruction to take the Regents Examination in Integrated Algebra in addition to the Regents examination in Algebra I (Common Core) at the June 2015 test administration, and meet the requirement for graduation by passing either examination.

Proposed Addition of Subpart 154-3 of the Commissioner’s Regulations [P-12 (A) 2]

Your Committee recommends that Subpart 154-3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education relating to the establishment of criteria for determining whether a student with a disability shall take the statewide English language proficiency identification and criteria for exiting students with disabilities from identification as an English Language Learner, be added as submitted, effective December 3, 2014.

Charter Schools: Initial Applications and Charters Authorized by the Board of Regents [P-12 (A) 3]

Your Committee recommends that the Regents find that the proposed charter school: (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules and regulations; (2) will operate in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of section twenty-eight hundred fifty of Article 56 of the Education Law; and (4) will have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents therefore approves and issues a charter and provisional charter to the Capital Preparatory Harlem Charter School for a term of five years in accordance with §2851(2)(p) of the Education Law.

Your Committee recommends that the Regents find that the proposed charter school: (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules and regulations; (2) will operate in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of section twenty-eight hundred fifty of Article 56 of the Education Law; and (4) will have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents therefore approves and issues a charter and provisional charter to the New Ventures Charter School for a term of five years in accordance with §2851(2)(p) of the Education Law.

 Your Committee recommends that the Regents find that the proposed charter school: (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules and regulations; (2) will operate in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of section twenty-eight hundred fifty of Article 56 of the Education Law; and (4) will have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents therefore approves and issues a charter and provisional charter to the South Bronx Classical Charter School III for a term of five years in accordance with §2851(2)(p) of the Education Law.

Your Committee recommends that the Regents find that the proposed charter school: (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules and regulations; (2) will operate in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of section twenty-eight hundred fifty of Article 56 of the Education Law; and (4) will have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents therefore approves and issues a charter and provisional charter to the Greater Works Charter School for a term of five years in accordance with §2851(2)(p) of the Education Law.

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 November 18, 2014, copies of which have been distributed to each Regent. 

 MATTERS NOT REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

Instructional Technology and Computer-Based Testing [P-12 (D) 1] – The Committee discussed the increasing use of instructional technology to enhance instruction in classrooms and the Department’s plan for a similar transition to computer-based testing for state assessment purposes. Computer-based testing for state assessments would offer a number of advantages, including the ability to make test questions even more instructionally relevant, more flexible administration options, better security, more embedded field test items and more timely return of test results.  A panel consisting of representatives from BOCES, Regional Information Centers, districts, and schools presented information to the Regents relating to their use of computer technology for instruction and assessments, including readiness, benefits and challenges.  Panel members included:

• Dr. Donna DeSiato, Superintendent, East Syracuse Minoa Central School District, Member, NYS Technology Policy and Practice Council
• Theresa Gray, Coordinator, Integrated Education Services, Erie 2 - Chautauqua Cattaraugus BOCES; Member, NY PARCC Education Leader Cadre
• Glen Huot, Director, Monroe Regional Information Center
• Deborah Kavanaugh, Principal, Pinewood Intermediate School, Mohonasen Central School District
• Niket Mull, Executive Director of Assessment, New York City Department of Education

School Participation in New York State Field Tests [P-12 (D) 2] – the Committee discussed proposed amendments to regulations relating to making explicit the requirement of school participation in field tests essential to the development of fair and valid New York State operational assessments for students in Grades 3-12.  It is anticipated that the proposed amendment will be presented for adoption at the February 2015 Regents meeting.

Preschool Special Education Tuition Methodology Study [P-12 (D) 3] – the Committee discussed the Department’s work relating to issuing a study of preschool special education tuition methodologies and monitoring protocols.  The Department’s Rate Setting Unit, Office of Special Education and STAC Unit are collaboratively leading the Department’s effort to integrate programmatic and fiscal considerations, conduct data analysis, engage stakeholders and prepare the study report. The study will describe the existing tuition methodology and monitoring protocols, including data analysis regarding fiscal trends, and discuss alternative reimbursement methodologies and monitoring protocols that could be applied to each of the three preschool program types for which tuition rates are set:  Special Education Itinerant Services, Special Class Programs and Special Class in an Integrated Setting Programs.  Staff will provide a summary of the contents of the preschool methodology study at the December Regents meeting.

The Board of Regents will take action on the following consent agenda items at their November 18, 2014 meeting.

• • Petition of the Geneva CSD for Consent to Exceed the Constitutional Debt Limit.
  • Regulations relating to the Definition of Performance Levels for State Assessments and Calculation of the Performance Index Based on the Student Performance Levels.
  • Regulations relating to Academic Intervention Services.