THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234 ___________________________________________________________________
	Office for Elementary, Middle, Secondary and Continuing Education
	UPDATED - EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 12, 2004

High School Teachers Needed for Teacher Review Committees

            Commissioner Mills has asked us to continue a process that we piloted in August 2003, namely, convening teachers to review examinations at the final preprint stage of test development. Teachers to come to SED to review and take the Regents Exams.  We ask them to pay particular attention to the following areas:

o        Clarity of language to facilitate students’ understanding of directions, instructions and prompts;

o        Assuring that there is only one correct response for each test item;

o        Assuring that spelling and grammar are accurate; and

o        Assuring that, as far as possible, the layout of the test as a whole minimizes student anxiety (e.g., ensures that the more complex, challenging question are placed throughout the test, not clustered in any one section).

            We are now seeking teachers to serve on the final Teacher Review Committees for the June 2004 Regents examinations. Teachers will come to Albany for a half-day between approximately April 12 and May 17, 2004.

            Who can participate:   New York State Teachers who:

1. have taught in the target subject within the last three years; and
2. have not been involved in the State Education Department’s test development process in the last three years.

            Regents Examinations to be administered in June 2004:

            Comprehensive English                                                  Living Environment

            Comprehensive French                                                   Mathematics A

            Comprehensive German                                                  Mathematics B

            Comprehensive Hebrew                                                  Physical Setting/Chemistry

            Comprehensive Italian                                                     Physical Setting/Earth Science

            Comprehensive Latin                                                      Physical Setting/Physics

            Comprehensive Spanish                                                 United States History and Government    

Global History and Geography                                                                

Shortage Areas:  We welcome applications from teachers in all of the subject areas of the Regents examinations listed above.  However, we have a great need for applications from teachers of German, Hebrew, Italian and Latin.  Therefore, we strongly urge teachers of these subjects to complete an application to participate in a Teacher Review. 

Compensation:  $150 honorarium and reimbursement of travel expenses according to New York State travel guidelines. Teachers are responsible for his/her own meals.

 Administrator's Acknowledgement: There is a place on the application for the School Administrator to sign, acknowledging that the teacher is applying to participate on a Teacher Review Committee. Please be sure to secure your School Administrator's signature before faxing the application to SED.

Application:    Teacher Application
Download and print the application. Complete it and fax it to Judi Golombiski at 518-473-7737.

We do not acknowledge receipt of applications due to the high volume received.  However, teachers selected will be contacted to firm dates, times and place and will receive an email confirming their participation.