THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234

 

TO:

The Honorable the Members of the Board of Regents

FROM:

Theresa E. Savo

COMMITTEE:

Full Board

TITLE OF ITEM:

2006-2007 Budget Development Process

DATE OF SUBMISSION:

March 29, 2005

PROPOSED HANDLING:

Discussion

RATIONALE FOR ITEM:

The First Step in the 2006-2007 Budget Development Process

STRATEGIC GOAL:

Goals 1-6

AUTHORIZATION(S):

 

 

SUMMARY:

 

As you know, we have created a new budget development timeline for 2006-2007 which calls for the entire budget proposal, including State Aid, to be approved by the Full Board at the September 2005 meeting. 

 

This is the first of several steps in the 2006-2007 budget development process as follows:

 

·        Review the existing three-year initiatives against established initiative outcomes and evaluation criteria (April 2005);

·        Discuss conceptual direction of  the Regents State Aid proposal (May 2005);

·        Evaluate the 2006-2007 initiatives proposed by the program offices using the established criteria in the Regents Standing Committees (June 2005);

·        Discuss the proposed 2006-2007 budget initiatives and the State Aid proposal with the full Board of Regents (July 2005); and

·        Act on the “Bluebook” 2006-2007 Budget Proposal, including the State Aid and Priority Legislative proposals (September 2005).

 

Two attachments are provided to assist you in your review of the current (2005-2006) three-year budget initiatives:

 

  1. A summary of the current (2005-2006) three-year budget initiatives; and
  2. A summary of the Department’s strategic plan.

 

Attachments

 

 

2005-2006 Budget Initiatives for Consideration in 2006-2007
Summary of Request Over Level Funding
($ THOUSANDS)
AID TO LOCALITIES
 
Page References 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08
REGENTS GOAL 1:  High Standards for All Students Text Table Cost Cost Cost
Ensuring Excellence and Opportunity:          
Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP)  Pg. 25 Pg. 56  $      5,500  $      6,050  $    66,555
Liberty Partnerships Program (LPP)  Pg. 26 Pg. 56  $      7,250  $      8,338  $      9,588
Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP)/          
   Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP)  Pg. 26 Pg. 56  $      2,000  $      2,400  $      2,880
REGENTS GOAL 2:  High Standards for All Educational Institutions
College and University Investment Program Pg. 28 Pg. 56  $    12,000  $    12,000  $    12,000
REGENTS GOAL 3:  Assuring the Public is Served by Ethical Professionals
REGENTS PRIORITY - Teachers of Tomorrow Program  Pg. 9 Pg. 56  $    88,000  $    88,000  $    88,000
REGENTS PRIORITY - Nursing Faculty Scholarship Program  Pg. 10 Pg. 59  $      1,500  $      3,000  $      3,000
Teacher Opportunity Corps  Pg. 30 Pg. 56  $      2,750  $      3,163  $      3,637
REGENTS GOAL 4:  Accessibility of Education and Cultural Resources        
REGENTS PRIORITY - New Century Libraries*  Pg. 12 Pg. 48  $ 107,000  $ 134,000  $ 155,000
Parent Involvement Advocacy Initiative Pg. 33 Pg. 51  $      5,000  $      5,000  $      5,000
Employment and Independence Initiative:          
REGENTS PRIORITY - Integrated/Supported Employment  Pg. 13 Pg. 62  $    14,000  $    19,000  $    24,000
Independent Living Centers  Pg. 35 Pg. 62  $      1,000  $      1,500  $      2,000
College Readers Aid  Pg. 35 Pg. 62  $         200  $         700  $      1,200
REGENTS PRIORITY - Postsecondary Education and Disabilities Initiative  Pg. 13 Pg. 56  $    15,000  $    15,000  $    15,000
* Includes Construction funding also requested below under Capital Projects.
STATE OPERATIONS
 
Page References 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08
REGENTS GOAL 1:  High Standards for All Students Text Table Cost Cost Cost
New York State Summer Institutes  Pg. 24 Pg. 50  $         200  $         200  $         200
REGENTS GOAL 5:  Stewardship of All Resources
REGENTS PRIORITY - Strengthened Accountability to Ensure Effective Use of School Resources  Pg. 14 Pg. 50  $    68,800  $    68,800  $    68,800
REGENTS GOAL:  All          
REGENTS PRIORITY - Enhancing SED Staffing Capacity Pg. 19 Pg. 64  $         600  $         600  $         600
 
1
CAPITAL PROJECTS
REGENTS GOAL 5:  Stewardship of All Resources Page References 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08
REGENTS GOAL 6:  Quality Work Environment Text Table Cost Cost Cost
Education Building Annex (EBA)  Pg. 39 Pg. 66/67  $      2,500  n/a  n/a
Cultural Education Center  Pg. 39 Pg. 66/67  $         350  n/a  n/a
State School for the Blind  Pg. 39 Pg. 66/67  $      4,000  n/a  n/a
Minor Rehabilitation Projects  Pg. 39 Pg. 66/67  $      1,950  n/a  n/a
Public Television in the Digital Age  Pg. 34 Pg. 66/67  $    25,000  n/a  n/a
REGENTS PRIORITY - New Century Libraries Local Library Construction  Pg. 12 Pg. 66/67  $    20,000  $    30,000  $    20,000
Special Revenue Funded - Cultural Education Center - Capital Projects
Cultural Education Center (CEC)  Pg. 67 Pg. 66/67  $      1,825  n/a  n/a
CEC Minor Rehabilitation Projects  Pg. 67 Pg. 66/67  $         835  n/a  n/a
OCE Research and Collection Stewardship Facility  Pg. 38 Pg. 66/67  $    11,000  n/a  n/a
New York State Museum Renewal  Pg. 37 Pg. 66/67  $      5,000  n/a  n/a
STATUTORILY MANDATED LOCAL ASSISTANCE
Page References 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08
Text Table Cost Cost Cost
Education of Native Americans Pg. 27 Pg. 51  $      5,000  $      5,000  $      5,000
Nonpublic Mandated Services Aid Pg. 27 Pg. 51  $      4,200  tbd  tbd
Aid to Independent Colleges and Universities Pg. 29 Pg. 56  $      3,000  $      3,000  $      3,000
Allowances - Private Schools for the Deaf and Blind (§4201) Pg. 36 Pg. 62  $    16,000  $    19,000  $    23,000
Education of Preschool Children with Disabilities (§4410) Pg. 36 Pg. 62  $    17,000  $    32,000  $    48,000
Education of Children with Disabilities - Summer (§4408) Pg. 36 Pg. 62  $    57,300  $    64,300  $    71,300
Aid to Libraries Pg. 36 Pg. 48  $      6,972  $      6,972  $      6,972
Aid to Public Radio and Television Stations Pg. 36 Pg. 48  $    13,392  $    13,392  $    13,392
STATUTORILY MANDATED STATE OPERATIONS
Page References 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08
Text Table Cost Cost Cost
Mandatory Salary Increases n/a Pg. 64  $         909  $         945  $         983
School Health and Safety System Pg. 38 Pg. 50  $         400  $         400  $         400
Tenured Teacher Disciplinary Hearings  Pg. 32 Pg. 55  $         650  $         650  $         650
Fingerprinting Teacher Certification Applicants  Pg. 32 Pg. 55  $         650  $         650  $         650
 
2

STRATEGIC PLAN

PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND KEY STRATEGIES

 


1 REGENTS GOAL All students will meet high standards for academic performance and personal behavior and demonstrate the knowledge and skills required by a dynamic world.

 

Performance Measures[1]:


 

·        Percentage of children entering kindergarten knowing sounds and letters

·        Percentage of students meeting standards on State assessments

·        Participation rates for students with disabilities on State assessments

·        Percentage of ninth graders graduating high school within 4 years

·        Number of individuals with disabilities who have received vocational rehabilitation services and have successful outcomes

 

Key Strategies:

 

1.      Promote the grade-by-grade Math and English Language Arts standards.

2.      Distribute detailed curriculum resources in Math and English Language Arts.

3.      Expand research-based reading programs statewide.

4.      Develop policy and practice to ensure that the high school diploma signifies readiness for citizenship, work and adult responsibility.

5.      Implement the school improvement strategy, regional support networks and academic interventions for low performing schools.

6.      Focus Department oversight on districts where outcomes indicate the greatest need for improvement for students with disabilities and English language learners.

7.      Strengthen the use of library, museum, archives and public broadcasting resources to support learning.

8.      Implement grade-by-grade testing.

9.      Implement the Statewide Student Data System and Comprehensive Special Education Information System.

 

 

 

 

 

2 REGENTS GOAL All educational institutions will meet Regents high performance    standards.

 

Performance Measures:

 

·        Percentage of schools meeting Annual Yearly Progress standards

·        Number of schools on SURR list or identified as In Need of Improvement

·        Number of districts identified as being in financial stress

·        Percentage of applying museums and historical societies achieving an absolute charter

·        Number of public libraries which become voting public library districts

·        Percentage of teacher education institutions achieving the established pass rate on teacher certification examinations

·        Progress on implementation of postsecondary education sectors’ master plans after four years compared to the original plans

 

Key Strategies:

 

1.      Implement middle school reforms.

2.      Begin high school reforms.

3.      Implement a system of fiscal indicators for school districts.

4.      Simplify school district reporting mandates.

5.      Require corrective action for teacher education programs that fall below the established pass rates on certification examinations. Review need to increase the pass rates or otherwise strengthen the examinations.

6.      Implement the Statewide Plan for Higher Education.

7.      Put into place a new approach for State Aid to Schools.

8.      Strengthen local school districts’ capacity to use data to improve instruction.

9.      Develop instructional leadership at all levels.

10.  Provide training and guidance on internal controls and fiscal fitness to school administrators and school boards.

11.  Provide guidance and training to help cultural institutions and local government records programs meet standards.

12.  Expand the capacity of colleges and universities to educate students with disabilities.

13.  Convene USNY leaders to promote stronger collaboration across institutions to improve instruction and learning.

14.  Conduct forums for educators and business leaders to collaborate on challenges shared by the education and the workforce systems.

15.  Partner with health and mental health organizations to remove barriers to learning.

16.  Expand the capacity of the vocational rehabilitation system.

 

3  REGENTS GOAL The public will be served by qualified, ethical professionals who remain current with best practice in their fields and reflect the diversity of New York State.

 

Performance Measures:

 

·        Percentage of teachers teaching subjects for which they are certified.

·        Percentage of elementary schools with certified library media specialists

·        Cycle time for determinations of summary suspensions for licensees who pose imminent public harm

·        Percentage of licensed professionals who receive guidance information on professional practice issues from the Department

·        Enrollment trends in graduate science programs

 

Key Strategies:

 

1.      Recruit librarians in all fields, including school librarians.

2.      Assess progress on the Regents teaching policy.

3.      Recruit and prepare more teachers of mathematics, science, special education, and English language learners and then retain them once they are in the classroom.

4.      Coordinate implementation of the recommendations of the Regents Task Force on Nursing.

5.      Increase access to graduate and professional education programs.

6.      License and regulate the six new professions established by statute in 2002.

7.      Develop practice guidelines for the licensed professions.

 

4  REGENTS GOAL Education, information, and cultural resources will be available and accessible to all people.

 

Performance Measures:

 

·        Percentage of students with disabilities in different educational settings

·        Trends in classification rates for school-age students with disabilities

·        Number of 4 and 5 year olds residing in school districts without pre-K or full-day kindergarten programs

·        Number of New Yorkers without local public library service

·        Number of on-site and electronic users of the State Archives, Library and Museum resources

·        Number of collections about under-documented groups preserved and made accessible for teaching and learning

·        Percentage of selected Department customer service transactions available via the internet

·        Net price for full-time students from low income families to attend a NYS public postsecondary institution

·        Percentage of schools and libraries with broadband connections

·        Percentage of elementary and middle schools with librarians and media specialists

 

Key Strategies:

 

1.      Review early childhood education policy and practice so that all children get a good start.

2.      Make prekindergarten universal.

3.      Build capacity to educate children with disabilities in the least restrictive environment.

4.      Promote greater accessibility in the design of curriculum materials and instructional practices.

5.      Increase the pre-employment training and employment opportunities for vocational rehabilitation consumers.

6.      Increase access to postsecondary education for historically underrepresented students.

7.      Oversee the renewal of the State Museum exhibition and education programs.

8.      Expand the Documentary Heritage program.

9.      Expand the Department’s use of the Internet for customer service, data collection and reporting, dissemination of information, and educational content.

10.  Develop a technology strategy based upon recommendations approved by the Regents from the USNY Technology Policy and Practices Council.

 

5  REGENTS GOAL Resources under our care will be used or maintained in the public interest.

 

Performance Measures:

 

·        Progress on securing site, architectural work and construction plans for a new cultural education facility compared to planned timetable

·        Progress on the renewal of State Museum exhibits and renovations of the State Library compared to plan milestones

·        Ratio of vocational rehabilitation funds expended to wages earned, taxes paid, and public assistance savings for consumers who are rehabilitated

·        Percentage of the Department’s priority information technology projects which are on time and on budget

·        Cycle time for selected Department services

·        Percentage of customers indicating they are satisfied with selected SED services

·        Percentage of the Department’s discretionary funds that are awarded to low-performing schools and high need districts

 

Key Strategies:

 

1.      Transition the Department’s financial systems to web-based technology to improve efficiency and reliability.

2.      Ensure the Department’s operations are effective, efficient, and are in compliance with State and federal laws and regulations.

3.      Improve the articulation between the Department’s financial systems and those of other NYS agencies.

4.      Reduce cycle time for specific Department services.

5.      Maintain secure controls over the information contained in the Department’s databases.

6.      Complete priority information technology projects to improve key Department services and enhance information available for policy decision-making.

7.      Complete renovations of the State Library and State Museum.

8.      Implement the new research and collections facility plan.

 

6  REGENTS GOAL  Our work environment will meet high standards.

 

Performance Measures:

 

·        Percentage of Department staff participating in professional development programs and the percentage of those staff who rate those programs as useful to their jobs

·        Demographic trends in the Department workforce

·        Percentage of Department employees who indicate satisfaction with quality of the work environment

·        Percentage of OSHA and PESHA occupational workforce standards that Department facilities meet

 

Key Strategies:

 

1.      Expand professional development offerings for all staff based on Department and employee needs.

2.      Enhance workforce planning and opportunities for staff rotations so that the Department is prepared for the future.

3.      Increase staff diversity.

4.      Improve the health, security, and safety of the Department’s facilities statewide.

 

Extending and Using the Plan

 

Check Performance and Find Ways to Improve

 

Staff is using performance measures to assess the quality of our services.  Where results fall short, we are identifying opportunities to improve. We have already found ways to do our work faster, cheaper, and with better results for our customers.  Clearly, however, we can C and must C do more.

 

Report on Results

 

This plan is the yardstick to measure performance for both the State Education Department and for the entities that constitute The University of the State of New York.  Within the Department, we are using performance data to inform decisions and hold management accountable.  The Commissioner continues to conduct quarterly performance reviews for each area of the Department.  Performance agreements for individual managers now include quantifiable expectations about desired results.  The Board and Department staff will build upon current efforts to communicate widely about efforts, progress, and results as evidence of our willingness to be held publicly accountable.

 

Align Budget Request and Legislative Program

 

This plan forms the rationale for the Department’s annual State budget request, the Regents State legislative program and federal education policy positions.

 

Communicate and Advocate our Strategic Directions

 

The plan’s goals are the hallmark of all our communications, thus reinforcing our priorities and building the foundation for a statewide consensus around a framework for educational reform.

 

Modifying the Plan

 

This is the fourth strategic plan.  As we did with all the other editions, we will revise the plan as we build a record of further accomplishment.



[1] Data will be disaggregated by race/ethnicity, capacity/resource need of district, disability status, and for English Language Learners, and Career and Technical Education students as appropriate and when available.