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

Your P-12 Education Committee held its scheduled meeting on September 11, 2017.  All members were present, except for Regents Cottrell and Hakanson, who were excused.

ACTION ITEMS

New York P-12 Learning Standards for the Arts [P-12 (A) 1]

Your Committee recommends that the Board of Regents approve the New York State P-12 Learning Standards for the Arts to be implemented in all schools beginning July 1, 2018.

Implementation of the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children and Provisions Relating to Transfer Credits and Diploma Requirements for Physical Education [P-12 (A) 2]

Your Committee recommends that section 100.5 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education be amended and that a new Section 100.20 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education be added, as submitted, effective September 27, 2017.  These amendments implement the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children and other provisions relating to exemptions from the assessment requirements for transfer students and diploma requirements for physical education.

Unit of Study Requirements for Career and Technical Education in Grades 7 and 8 [P-12 (A) 3]

Your Committee recommends that section 100.4(c) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education be amended, as submitted, effective September 27, 2017. These amendments allow for greater flexibility in meeting the unit of study requirements in grades 7 and 8 in Career and Technical Education (CTE).  Regent Mittler voted in opposition.

Next Generation Learning Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics Update [P-12 (A) 4]

Your Committee recommends that the Board of Regents approves the Next Generation Learning Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics.

McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act for the Education of Homeless Children and Youths [P-12 (A) 5]

Your Committee recommends that the emergency action taken by the Board of Regents at its May Regents meeting to amend section 100.2(x) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education be repealed, effective September 18, 2017.  Your Committee further recommends that section 100.2(x) of the Regulations of the Commissioner be amended, as submitted, effective September 19, 2017, 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 adopt the proposed amendment to timely implement the changes to Education Law §3209, as amended by Chapter 56 of the Laws of 2017, for the 2017-2018 school year and the McKinney Vento Homeless Act, as amended by the ESSA and to ensure that the revised rule remain continuously in effect until it can be adopted as a permanent rule at the November Regents meeting.

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 12, 2017, copies of which have been distributed to each Regent.

MATTERS NOT REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

Update on the My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Initiative – Regent Young provided an update on the MBK Symposium held on August 30, 2017 in Washington, DC.  New York State was invited to participate with Boston and Houston, who had representatives at this meeting.  The next New York State MBK Symposium will be held on February 16, 2018 and they are projecting 500 participants from around the state.  It is anticipated that an inaugural group of MBK fellows will attend this symposium.

Senior Deputy Commissioner’s Report – Senior Deputy Commissioner Jhone Ebert updated the Committee on two important initiatives/celebrations.

The New York City Department of Education Full Participation in the Community Eligibility Provision.  On Thursday September 7, 2017, the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) began providing breakfast, lunch and snacks at no charge to 1.1 million NYC students at approximately 1,600 locations which includes all NYC public schools, as well as early Pre-K, Pre-K, GED, and private and charter schools receiving foodservices from NYCDOE.  Department staff was instrumental to having this opportunity made available to all student in NYCDOE.
180-Day Session Requirement Advisory Committee.  SED has invited organizations to participate on an advisory committee this fall to review all existing laws, regulations, and guidance concerning the 180-day session requirement, including superintendent conference days, staff professional development days, parent-teacher conference days, and other related topics.  Five regional meetings will be held around the state in September and October to solicit additional input from stakeholders.  Possible regulatory changes may be brought to the Regents later in the fall based on the input received by the Advisory Committee.

Funding for Preschool Special Class Integrated Setting (SCIS) Programs [P-12 (D) 1] – As required by Chapter 59 of the laws of 2017, commencing with the 2018-19 school year, approved preschool integrated special class programs are required to be reimbursed based on an alternative methodology for reimbursement.  To develop its recommendation for an alternative model and reimbursement methodology, several Department offices are working together to conduct a comprehensive review of the SCIS program’s regulatory requirements and existing funding methodology.  The issues and topics for discussion pertaining to the SCIS model and funding are relevant and included in the work of the Board of Regents Early Childhood Blue Ribbon Committee. Priorities of the Early Childhood Blue Ribbon Committee such as creating comprehensive early childhood policies, coordinated support services, and sustained and coordinated funding structures directly align with the objectives for developing a recommendation for an alternative SCIS model; and all discussions on highly effective educators, age-appropriate standards, and family and community engagement are applicable to SCIS programs.  The Department will engage stakeholders throughout the fall by conducting meetings on SCIS methodology.  Staff will report back to the Regents this winter.

Consent Agenda

The Board of Regents will take action on the following consent agenda items at their September 12, 2017 meeting.

• Regulations Relating to Identification of Local Assistance Plan (LAP) and Focus Schools
• Regulations Relating to Academic Intervention Services;
• Petition of the Amsterdam City School District for Consent to Exceed the Constitutional Debt Limit