Report of Regents P-12 Education Committee to The Board of Regents
Your P-12 Education Committee held its scheduled meeting on September 16, 2013. All members were present.
ACTION ITEMS
Academic Intervention Services
Your Committee recommends that paragraph (2) of subdivision (ee) of section 100.2 of the Regulations of the Commissioner be amended as submitted, effective September 17, 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 to immediately establish modified requirements for the provision of Academic Intervention Services for the 2013-2014 school year, for purposes of providing districts with flexibility to address the change in student rates of proficiency on the 2013 grades 3-8 assessments in English Language Arts and mathematics, and thereby ensure the timely implementation of the modified AIS requirements by school districts in the 2013-2014 school year. [P-12 (A) 1]
Senior Athletic Competition for Students with Disabilities Waiver
Your Committee recommends that clause (d) of subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (7) of subdivision (c) of section 135.4 of the Commissioner’s Regulations be amended, as submitted, effective September 17, 2013 as an emergency rule upon a finding by the Board of Regents that such action is necessary for the preservation of the general welfare in order to allow for participation in senior high school non-contact athletic competition during the 2013-2014 school year by students with disabilities who have previously obtained a waiver pursuant to such provision. [P-12 (A) 2]
CTE Policy to Enhance Student Credit Options for Graduating College and Career Ready
Your Committee recommends that action on this item be deferred this month and included in a larger discussion on multiple pathways to occur later this fall. [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 September 17, 2013, copies of which have been distributed to each Regent.
MATTERS NOT REQUIRING BOARD ACTION
Tuition Rate Setting Methodology – Your Committee discussed recommendations from the Special Education Financial Advisory Workgroup for how the existing tuition rate setting methodology for Special Act School Districts, 853 schools and approved preschool special education providers could be improved. Recommendations include providing rate stability following reasonable or necessary fluctuations in enrollment and elimination of re-billing for services if rate reconciliation would only yield a small change in the previously billed amount. Department staff will continue discussions with the Special Education Financial Advisory Workgroup and will report findings and recommendations to the Board for their consideration at the November meeting. [P-12 (D) 1]
Regents Research Paper Requirement for a Regents or Local Diploma – Your Committee discussed proposed revisions to regulations previously discussed relating to the Regents Research Paper following feedback from public comment. Specifically, revisions were made to allow for more local flexibility on time for completion, including for students who transfer in late, and will allow compatibility with existing practices around research papers. Additionally, the revised Framework and proposed regulations reflect this as a graduation requirement, not a prerequisite for a Regents Examination. The revised regulations will be posted for public comment and brought back to the Committee for approval in November. [P-12 (D) 2]
Common Core Implementation Panel – The Committee participated in a panel discussion with educators from around New York State to talk about their work to implement the Common Core Learning standards, curriculum, and training leading to improved instruction aligned to the standards. Panel members included:
• Mike Ford, Superintendent of Schools, Phelps-Clifton Springs Central School District
• Alonta Wrighton, Principal, PS 11, NYC DOE
• Musa Ali Shama, former Principal, Principal Trainer, NYC DOE
• Angelique Johnson, Teacher Center Director, Western Suffolk BOCES
• Trina Falchi, Teacher, Utica City School District
Panel members shared actions taken in their district to implement the standards and challenges experienced and how those challenges are being addressed. Common themes discussed focused on Special Education and ELL testing issues, parent engagement, and professional development. [P-12 (D) 3]
Consent Agenda Items
The Board of Regents will take action on the following consent agenda items at their September 17, 2013 meeting.
- Municipal Audits of Preschool Special Education Programs
- Protection of People with Special Needs Act
- Amsterdam CSD Petition for Consent to Exceed the Constitutional Debt Limit
- Special Education Space Plans
- Aloma D. Johnson Fruit Belt Community Charter School Revision