New York State Education Department_ Knowledge_ Skill_ Opportunity
News and Notes
March 2020

Dear Colleagues,

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) recognizes the COVID-19 outbreak is affecting schools and communities across the state. NYSED and the State Department of Health issued updated guidance to school and community health officials regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), which includes the requirement for schools to close for 24 hours if a student or staff member attended school prior to being confirmed as a positive COVID-19 patient. When a student or staff member attended school prior to being confirmed as a COVID-19 case, New York State Department of Health requires an initial 24-hour closure, in order to begin an investigation to determine the contacts that the individual may have had within the school environment. That investigation will inform the plan determined by the local department of health as to any further required closure, or other necessary precautions to take for specific classrooms, or for specific individuals.

The guidance for P-12 schools provides an update on measures needed to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak as well as recommended non-pharmaceutical interventions and community containment measures that may be useful to reduce disease transmission in schools including a checklist for schools to assist in planning. NYSED also provided updated guidance to colleges and universities in New York State. All resources for schools related to COVID-19 can be found on NYSED's dedicated coronavirus web page.

In addition, o ut of an abundance of caution, all future Graduation Measures Regional Meetings have been postponed. If you have already attended one of the Regional Meetings across the state to provide your input, we sincerely appreciate your contribution to this important effort. The remaining meetings will be rescheduled in the future.

statementStatement from Chancellor Betty A. Rosa and Interim State Education Commissioner Shannon Tahoe on Board of Regents Appointments

Chancellor Betty A. Rosa and Interim State Education Commissioner Shannon Tahoe announced that Regents Cashin, Collins, Ouderkirk, Tilles and Young have been re-elected to the Board of Regents. Each of them have been steadfast in their work to ensure that every student in New York has access to a high-quality education, regardless of where they come from, where they live or where they go to school. 

Chancellor Rosa and Interim Commissioner Tahoe also announced the appointment of Dr. Frances Wills to the Board of Regents. Dr. Wills brings decades of experience in education and work on behalf of New York's schoolchildren with her to the position, most recently serving as Superintendent of the Putnam Valley School District. Read the full statement from Chancellor Rosa and Interim Commissioner Tahoe.
specialedBoard of Regents Acts to Amend Regulations Related to Special Education Due Process Procedures

The Board of Regents acted to amend regulations to improve the special education due process system in New York State, including measures designed to increase the number of special education impartial hearing officers (IHO) for due process complaints in New York City. The proposed regulatory changes will help address the backlog of cases in New York City and provide some flexibility to allow videoconferencing to alleviate some pressure on the due process system. 

The amendments include:
  • Expanding the pool of potential IHOs by allowing for the certification of non-attorney IHOs to hear complaints in New York City; 
  • Requiring IHOs to render decisions in a format consistent with NYSED guidelines that comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA); and
  • Allowing IHOs to conduct hearings by video conference with the consent of parties so long as all personally identifiable data, information, or records pertaining to students with disabilities during such hearing is kept confidential.
ptechNYSED Awards $15.62 Million in Grants for Cohort V of the NYS Pathways in Technology Early College High School Program
NYSED awarded $15.62 million in new grants to six recipients for Cohort V of the Pathways in Technology Early College High School Program (P-TECH). The program prepares thousands of New York students for high-skills jobs of the future in technology, manufacturing, and finance. 

The model incorporates an integrated six-year program that combines high school, college, and career training targeted toward academically and economically at-risk students.  Recipients will receive funding over seven years contingent upon 
State Comptroller's office approval of the grants. 
eastramapoNYSED Appoints Bruce Singer as Second Monitor for the East Ramapo Central School District

Interim Commissioner Shannon Tahoe appointed Bruce Singer as a State Monitor for the East Ramapo Central School District. Mr. Singer will work with Dr. Denise Lowe who has been a State Monitor for the District since November 2018. The State Monitors oversee District operations and propose measures to help ensure students have access to high-quality instruction, programs and services.
whmNYS Museum Exhibits Special Installations in Honor of Women's History Month

Women_s History Month exhibits
The New York State Museum will exhibit three special installations in honor of Women's History Month and the centennial of the passage of the 19th Amendment, which ended the exclusion of voters on the basis of sex.

Open March 10 through April 26 the Museum will exhibit the 2020 Quilt Project, the Central Park Women's Monument maquette, and a 1913 suffrage wagon.

Learn more about the three special installations on the New York State Museum's website.
mbkMy Brother's Keeper Fellow Profiles

The  February 2020 edition of the My Brother's Keeper (MBK) newsletter , Changing the Narrative, features the 2019-20 class of MBK Fellows. In the newsletter, you will find each of the 66 Fellows' names, photos, and schools, as well as a link to their online profiles.

In their online profiles, each Fellow describes MBK in 2-3 words, shares how MBK impacted him, and expresses what he looks forward to most.  Check out the MBK Fellow Profiles here!  
NextGenTransition to the NYS Next Generation Learning Standards

Next Generation Learning Standards
The Board of Regents and NYSED seek to ensure all students have equitable access to high-quality education opportunities, including effective instruction aligned to the New York State Next Generation Learning Standards in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. Full implementation of the new standards will begin during the 2020-2021 school year for prekindergarten through grade 8.

NYSED's Next Generation Learning Standards Roadmap is designed to assist educators' transition to fully implement the new standards. Find an editable version of the Roadmap and other resources on our Curriculum & Instruction website.
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