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Dear Colleagues,
Happy Holidays! As we reach the end of an eventful year, I'd like to wish you, along with your students and your families, a safe and happy holiday season and the very best possible New Year. Thank you for your continued commitment to improving education in New York State and for all you do every day to help students achieve success in school and in life.
In this edition of News and Notes, I provide updates related to the following:
Sincerely,
MaryEllen Elia
Commissioner
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 Regents Advance 2018 Budget and Legislative Priorities and State Aid Request
The Regents propose $1.25 billion in aid formula increases, $314 million in statutory reimbursement-based aid increases, $25 million for CTE program expansion and $20 million for UPK program expansion.
In addition, the Board advanced funding proposals to increase equity for all students, implement recommendations of the Board of Regents Early Childhood Workgroup's Blue Ribbon Committee (BRC), implement the state's Every Student Succeeds Act plan and increase efficiencies for the State Education Department and school districts.
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Regents Expand Safety Net Option for Students with Disabilities to Earn Local Diploma
This week, the Board of Regents adopted regulations to expand the criteria under which students with disabilities may be eligible to graduate high school with a local diploma.
Some students with disabilities are unable to demonstrate proficiency on standard State assessments, even with testing accommodations. State regulations therefore provide several "safety net" options for these students to graduate with a local diploma, including the superintendent determination option.
To be eligible for the superintendent determination option, a student with a disability must meet certain conditions that are defined in State regulations.
The amendments to the superintendent determination option will be in effect for students seeking to graduate in January 2018 and thereafter.
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Board of Regents Early Childhood Workgroup's Blue Ribbon Committee Presents Budget Recommendations
This week, members of the Board of Regents Early Childhood Workgroup's Blue Ribbon Committee presented budget recommendations to the full Board for consideration and inclusion in the Board's 2018-19 Budget Request. The recommendations, which total $37 million for the 2018-19 State Fiscal Year, have been thoughtfully prepared and reflect the constraints of the current fiscal climate. These recommendations will help frame the Board's discussion in the coming weeks and months on how to improve outcomes for New York's youngest learners and how to ensure they are ready for kindergarten and beyond.
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Regents Adopt New Professional Standards for Educational Leaders
This week, the Board of Regents took action to improve principal preparation and practice in New York by adopting the 2015 Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSELs). The new standards have a greater focus on equity and culturally responsive practices and are more in line with the day-to-day responsibilities of the modern day principal. Adoption of the 2015 PSELs is part of NYSED's larger effort to improve principal development and support as part of the Principal Preparation Project.
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MBK Community Network Reaches More Than 20 Communities
In November, the
New York State My Brother's Keeper Community Network
reached a significant milestone and now includes more than 20 member communities. The program recently added connections with Poughkeepsie and East Ramapo, the 20th and 21st communities to join the growing initiative to improve outcomes for boys and young men of color.
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NYSED Announces Nominees for 2018 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program
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NYSED Encourages Students to Apply for the 2018 New York State Summer School of the Arts
Applications are currently being accepted for the 2018 New York State Summer School of the Arts (NYSSSA). NYSSSA provides over 400 of New York's most talented students the opportunity to study with professionals in the visual and performing arts. Students in grades 8-12 throughout New York State are encouraged to apply to one of seven schools: Theatre, Ballet, Modern Dance, Orchestral Studies, Choral Studies, Visual Arts, or Media Arts. Auditions begin in January and will be held across the state. A
schedule of audition sites and application materials
are available at the NYSSSA website.
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State Archives Student Research Awards Contest
The New York State Archives invites students statewide to enter the
28th Annual Student Research Awards Contest
. The contest is open to all New York State students in grades 4-12 who use historical records in their research projects. The deadline for entries is July 1, 2018. Three awards will be presented in the Fall of 2018.
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NYSED Awards $4.76 Million for Four Smart Transfer Early College High School Programs
NYSED awarded $4.76 million in grants to four recipients (two school districts and two colleges) for the
Smart Transfer Early College High School Program
. Grant recipients are Bard College, Cohoes City School District, Greece Central School District, and Schenectady County Community College (SUNY SCCC). The Smart Transfer Early College High School grants will support partnerships between public school districts and eligible institutions of higher education to offer historically underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students the opportunity and support to complete college early. The program also allows students to transfer to a partner four-year institution of higher education where they will continue to complete a bachelor's degree within two years. Funding for this initiative was first included in Governor Andrew Cuomo's executive budget in 2016.
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| NYSED Identifies 27 Schools to Be Removed from Priority School Status
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