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

 

TO:	EMSC-VESID Committee
FROM:	Jean C. Stevens
SUBJECT:	Proposed Amendment to the Regulations of the Commissioner Relating to State Assessments and Graduation and Diploma Requirements
DATE:	January 23, 2007
STRATEGIC GOAL:	Goals 1 and 2
AUTHORIZATION(S):

 

SUMMARY

 

Issue for Action

 

Should the Board of Regents approve the proposed amendment of section 100.5(b)(7)(ii) to clarify alternative assessment requirements for students to earn a Regents diploma with honors or a Regents diploma with advanced designation with honors?

 

Reason(s) for Consideration

 

Revision to policy.
         

Proposed Handling

 

This question will come before the Regents EMSC-VESID Committee on February 12, 2007.

 

Procedural History

 

The proposed amendment was submitted for discussion by the Committee at the December meeting.

 

Background Information

 

Under current regulations, a school district may award a student a Regents diploma with honors or a Regents diploma with advanced designation with honors if a student achieves an average of 90 percent in all required Regents examinations.  The proposed amendment provides an opportunity for students to substitute up to two approved alternative assessments in lieu of required Regents examinations to be awarded the “Honors” designation on their diploma.  The student’s score on the alternative assessments will not be considered in the calculation to determine whether the student has achieved an average of 90 percent. 

 

A Notice of Proposed Rule Making was published in the State Register on November 29, 2006.  Supporting materials for the proposed amendment are available upon request from the Secretary to the Board of Regents. 

 

Recommendation

 

VOTED:  That subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (7) of subdivision (b) of section 100.5 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education be amended, as submitted, effective March 8, 2007.

 

Timetable for Implementation

 

Upon approval by the Board of Regents, the proposed amendment will become effective on March 8, 2007.

 

 

Attachment

AMENDMENT TO THE REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION

          Pursuant to sections 101, 207, 208, 209, 305, 308, 309 and 3204 of the Education Law.

1.     Subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (7) of subdivision (b) of section 100.5 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended, effective March 8, 2007, as follows:

 (ii) Regents Diploma with Honors. 

a.  A local school district may award a student a Regents diploma with honors or a Regents diploma with advanced designation with honors [To earn honors, a student shall achieve] to a student who achieves an average of 90 percent in all Regents examinations [, or their equivalent pursuant to section 100.2(p) of this Part,] required for the diploma.  Each Regents examination score carries a weight of one and such score shall not be multiplied by the number of units of study being examined.  Averages below 90.0 percent shall not be rounded upward to 90 percent. 

(b)  Notwithstanding the provisions of clause (a) of this subparagraph, a district may award a Regents diploma with honors or a Regents diploma with advanced designation with honors to a student who has substituted no more than two alternative assessments approved pursuant to section 100.2(f) of this Part for a Regents examination required for the diploma.  In such instance, the student’s score on any substituted alternative assessments shall not be considered in the calculation to determine whether such student has achieved an average of 90 percent.