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Dear Colleagues,
Happy Holidays! Thank you for all you do every day to serve students and for your continued commitment to education in New York State. Best wishes to you, your families, and your school communities for a safe, healthy, and happy holiday season.
This edition of News and Notes includes updates related to the following:
Sincerely,
MaryEllen Elia
Commissioner
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 Regents Advance 2019 Budget and Legislative Priorities and State Aid Request
This week, the Board of Regents advanced its 2019 budget and legislative priorities and state aid request for the 2019-2020 school year. The Board called for a $2.1 billion increase in Foundation Aid for the 2019-2020 school year to support English Language Learners, career and technical education programs, and universal prekindergarten programs. In addition, the Board advanced a bold and comprehensive set of funding proposals to best meet the needs of every student in New York by achieving equity, implementing the Every Student Succeeds Act, supporting early childhood learning and English language learners, and enhancing efficiency.
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Vast Majority of Schools in Receivership Make Demonstrable Improvement
The vast majority of schools in receivership, 49 out of 52 schools, made demonstrable improvement in the 2017-18 school year. These schools showed progress on performance indicators jointly selected by NYSED and the districts in which the schools are located. Three schools in the Syracuse City School District - Danforth Middle School, Dr. King Elementary School and Westside Academy at Blodgett - did not make Demonstrable Improvement and will now be placed under an Independent Receiver.
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Professional Learning Opportunity to Support School LGBT Inclusion Efforts
Last week, NYSED announced a professional learning webinar entitled "Creating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Inclusive Schools." Created in collaboration with the New York State Department of Health's AIDS Institute, the webinar is available for schools, school districts, parents, students, BOCES, and the entire school community to support the goal of providing all students with a safe and inclusive learning environment.
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NYSED Encourages Students to Apply for the 2019 New York State Summer School of the Arts
Applications are currently being accepted for the 2019 New York State Summer School of the Arts (NYSSSA). NYSSSA provides approximately 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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NYSED Releases Updated Guidance and Resources on Substantial Equivalency of Instruction
Guidance and resources are available for local school authorities and religious and independent schools regarding the statutory requirement for substantial equivalency of instruction at nonpublic schools to ensure that all students receive the education to which they are entitled. NYSED engaged in a deliberative and thoughtful process over two years to update the guidance, which reflects current law and feedback from both the public and nonpublic school communities. NYSED will hold trainings for both public and nonpublic school leaders on the guidance.
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Teacher Professional Development at the New York State Museum
Did you know that the New York State Museum offers teacher professional development opportunities and workshops that are led by Museum scientists and historians? Coming up this winter and spring are two free history workshops for teachers:
- Fort Orange Teacher Workshop: Teaching New York's Dutch History through Primary Resources
Thursday, January 31, 2019 | 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
New York State Museum, 222 Madison Avenue, Albany
During this workshop, educators will engage with archaeologists, archivists, and historians who study colonial New York and will present different ways resources can be used to inform and excite students about historic New York. Classroom-ready lessons and access to digitized records will provide educators with ways to engage their students directly with primary resources that support the New York State Learning Standards. This free Fort Orange Teacher Workshop is limited to 30 participants; register today to secure a seat.
- Erie Canal Teacher Workshop
Friday, April 12, 2019 | 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
New York State Museum, 222 Madison Avenue, Albany
Learn to cultivate deeper content connection for students through this workshop using the Museum's exhibition, Enterprising Waters - New York's Erie Canal. Engage students through primary document interpretation and come away with practical project-based ideas for your classroom using historic documents from the State Library and Archives. Explore cross-curricular connections with Museum educators, scientists, archaeologists, and historians. This free Erie Canal Teacher Workshop is limited to 30 participants; register today to secure a seat.
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