From the Desk of Anne Schiano, Assistant Director

Curriculum, Instruction & Instructional Technology

July 11, 2007

NYSED / Funding Opportunities / Professional Development

English Language Arts / Mathematics / Science / Social Studies

The Arts / Physical Education / Driver Education / Middle Level Education

Global Education / Testing / Virtual Learning System

Web Resources / Employment Opportunities

PLEASE SHARE WITH NETWORKS AS APPROPRIATE

NYSED

NEW! Guidance on Locally Required Summer Reading Assignments

The New York State Education Department has long encouraged students to read during the summer. Summer reading provides an excellent opportunity for students to stay connected to literature and to enhance literacy skills developed throughout the school year. Visit the Office of Curriculum & Instructional Support or download the PDF for a briefing on Guidance on Locally Required Summer Reading Assignments.

NEW! General Education & Diploma Requirements

In response to many field inquiries, the Department has produced a website with updated information on General Education & Diploma Requirements, Commencement Level (Grades 9-12). The site provides access to charts highlighting the diploma requirements for students. The centerpiece of the site is a new chart, which reflects changes in regulations enacted within the recent past, such as the phasing out of some local diploma options and the phasing in of new mathematics examinations and courses. Each column of the chart is hyperlinked to a page that provides more detailed information in html format. The site is available at http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/gradreq/intro.html.

Statewide Graduation Results Report

The new statewide graduation results report, press release, PowerPoint presentation, data including enrollment outcomes of students, and a database of public schools and school district data can be found on the Office of Information and Reporting Services webpage at
http://www.p12.nysed.gov/irs/press-release/20070425/home.htm 

Message from Johanna Duncan-Poitier

Senior Deputy Commissioner of Education - P-16

The Board of Regents and Commissioner Mills have recently announced a new P-16 structure within the State Education Department to improve achievement and close performance gaps across the Prekindergarten through higher education (P-16) continuum. To help carryout these goals, Johanna Duncan-Poitier has been named Senior Deputy Commissioner of Education - P-16 and will provide leadership for the combined offices of Elementary, Middle, Secondary, and Continuing Education (EMSC) and Higher Education. http://www.p12.nysed.gov/welcome.htm
 

Latest Information on the 2007-2008 State Budget

The new 2007-08 State budget includes an unprecedented increase of over $1.7 billion in aid to school districts across the State to improve student performance. The latest information on the budget, including State Aid projections by district, is now available at http://www.p12.nysed.gov/latestinfo2007bud.htm . Information has been posted for Superintendents and District Superintendents statewide on using the additional State Aid, accountability standards, Contracts for Excellence, allowable programs, and other budget highlights. Updates and additional budget-related information will be shared on the Web as it becomes available.
 

New York Learns: A New Agenda for Education
New York Governor Elliot Spitzer has outlined a bold, innovative education budget with reforms that build upon what the Regents and many others have been doing. These long needed reforms and the resources to achieve them will create an opportunity for success for all the students of the state. New York State Education Department Commissioner Richard P. Mills explores these themes in a conversation with WNYT news anchor Lydia Kulbida. Joining the conversation are New York City Schools Chancellor Joel Klein, Deputy Chancellor Andres Alonso, Yonkers Superintendent Bernard Pierorazio, Syracuse Superintendent Daniel Lowengard and Buffalo Superintendent James Williams.

• Go to http://nysed.nyit.edu and click Enter.

• Enter the keyword Agenda for Education and hit Search.

• Click on the video New York Learns: A New Agenda for Education - Education for a Global Economy.

• The default player is QuickTime. If you don't have QuickTime, then you have to choose which player you want to use. The options are directly below the box with the play button. After you choose your player, hit Play.

Call for Expertise

The State Education Department (SED) encourages teachers, administrators and professionals to become involved in the development of variety of curriculum materials and resources related to the seven learning standard areas. In an effort to maintain up-to-date contact information and to allow you to select projects and committees that best fit your interest and expertise, task-specific Call for Expertise opportunities are now available on the Call for Expertise website. For more information or to view a current list of these opportunities, please visit http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/call.htm.

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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Summer Training for Engineers of the Future Program
State funds in the amount of approximately $3.5 million in grant contracts have been competitively awarded to six colleges and universities in New York State to provide college or university-based summer training for teachers necessary to implement rigorous pre-engineering curricula in the middle and high school levels. The colleges have partnered with public school districts, charter schools and /or nonpublic schools to identify teachers that are or will be implementing rigorous pre-engineering programs at the middle and high school levels in the coming school year. A list of the awardees is now posted at http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/mst/EngineerFutureGrant/EOTFGrantWinners.html

NEW! NSTA New Science Teacher Academy Associate Fellowships
The National Science Teachers Association's NSTA New Science Teacher Academy Associate Fellowships are available for promising first- and second-year teachers. Fellowships with the New Science Teacher Academy offer a yearlong term with access to a wide array of professional development opportunities. Deadline for applications is September 30, 2007. For more information, visit http://www.nsta.org/academy/ . 

NEW! Staples Foundation for Learning Grants

The Staples Foundation for Learning is offering grants for $5,000 to $25,000 for education programs that support or provide job skills and/or education for all people, with a special emphasis on disadvantaged youth. Deadline for applications is August 3, 2007. Visit http://www.staplesfoundation.org/foundapplication.html  for more information.

NEW! Grants for Art and Music Education Programs

The Airborne Teacher Trust Fund provides support to elementary and middle school teachers from public and private schools for art and music programs that are in jeopardy of being lost due to budgetary limitations. Teachers and their schools may apply for grants from $200 to $10,000 to be used to implement their programs. Visit http://www.airbornetrust.com/ for more information.

NEW! Smaller Learning Communities Program
The U.S. Department of Education is offering 45 grant awards to LEAs to support the implementation of SLCs and activities to improve student academic achievement in large public high schools with enrollments of 1,000 or more students. SLCs include structures such as freshman academies, multi-grade academies organized around career interests or other themes, "houses" in which small groups of students remain together throughout high school, and autonomous schools-within-a-school, as well as personalization strategies, such as student advisories, family advocate systems, and mentoring programs.
Deadline for applications is July 17, 2007. Contact smallerlearningcommunities@ed.gov  for more information.

 

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

NEW! Free 2007 Summer Workshop Session Materials
The Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative is underway and although many of these opportunities are filled to capacity, the Session Materials from these workshops can be accessed for free on the Teacher-to-Teacher website by following the Session Materials by Subject Area links at http://www.t2tweb.us/Workshops/Sessions.asp?Content=Literacy . The 2007 Summer Workshop Schedule can be found at http://www.t2tweb.us/Workshops/Schedule.asp .

NEW! 2007 Albany Institute Teacher Workshop Opportunities

The Albany Institute is a great resource for teachers who are looking for ways to integrate art, objects and primary sources into the classroom, and the Albany Institute’s Education Department welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with schools in curriculum development and special projects by designing and implementing teacher workshops to meet specific needs within the classroom. Sessions can occur at your site or at the museum. Contact education@albanyinstitute.org or visit

http://www.albanyinstitute.org/Education/teachers.htm for more information about collaborative partnerships with the Albany Institute.

What is Scientifically Based Research? A Guide for Teachers
More than ever, educators are expected to make decisions that guarantee quality instruction. As knowledge emerges, so do philosophies, opinions, and rhetoric about definitions of instructional excellence. From policy makers to classroom teachers, educators need ways to separate misinformation from genuine knowledge and to distinguish scientific research from poorly supported claims. Effective teachers use scientific thinking in their classrooms all the time. This booklet, provides a brief introduction to understanding and using scientifically based research. Visit
http://www.centeroninstruction.org/files/ScientificallyBasedResearch.pdf 

Free Videos On Demand from the Annenberg Channel

In addition to offering the Annenberg Channel, a free satellite channel for schools, colleges, libraries, public broadcasting stations, public access channels, and other non-commercial community agencies, Annenberg Media's Teacher Resources presents Free Videos On Demand documenting teacher-researchers putting innovative curriculum and instructional strategies in action. Browse through the selection of Teacher Resources at www.learner.org .

Teacher Workshops at the New York State Museum
The Museum Education Institute at the New York State Museum was established in 2001 to support a community of professionals dedicated to improving education. The Institute provides practicing teachers with opportunities to participate in the research process with access to current research information, and to interact with Museum research and collections staff. The Institute aids in the accomplishment of the Museum’s mission by fostering working relationships between teachers and researchers in the fields of geology, biology, anthropology and history. For more information about upcoming teacher workshops, please visit http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/education/teacher/workshops.html.

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ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS

The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) has a website which includes teaching resources intended to help improve adolescent literacy. NCTE states, "Adolescents are already reading in multiple ways when they enter secondary classrooms, using literacy as a social and political endeavor in which they engage to make meaning and act upon their worlds. Their texts range from clothing logos to music to specialty magazines to Web sites to popular and classical literature. In the classroom it is important for teachers to recognize and value the multiple literacy resources students bring to the acquisition of school literacy." http://www.ncte.org/collections/adolescentliteracy

NEW Summary Results for the 2007 ELA Assessments in Grades 3-8

The New York State Education Department announces the results of the 2007 ELA Assessments in Grades 3-8. Included on this website are the press release memo and the Commissioner's Press Conference (http://www.p12.nysed.gov/irs/press-release/20070522/home.htm). Additional information about the Grades 3-8 ELA Testing program may be accessed at http://www.p12.nysed.gov/3-8/home.html

NEW FREE Teaching and Learning Resources
This site provides free teaching and learning resources from federal agencies, including resources for reading, literature, and language arts.

http://www.free.ed.gov/subjects.cfm?subject_id=78

NEW Learning Disabilities Resource Kit
A new resource, Learning Disabilities Resource Kit: Specific Learning Disabilities Determination Procedures and Responsiveness to Intervention, has just been added to the Center on Instruction website at www.centeroninstruction.org. The National Resource Center on Learning Disabilities (NRCLD) has developed this kit to help schools and districts navigate changes related to specific learning disability (SLD) determination and responsiveness to intervention (RTI). Included in the kit is general information on SLD determination and RTI, tools for getting started, PowerPoint presentations, and resources for parents. The kit is available for download at: http://www.nrcld.org/resource_kit/

Summer break is not that far away! And that means schools need to start encouraging their students to take part in the New York State Summer Reading Program, Get a Clue @ Your Library. Studies have shown that library summer reading programs raise student learning levels. The positive impact is most evident in those communities where reading and literacy resources are less available to students and the achievement gap is most evident. Giving young people the chance to read for fun and enjoyment over the summer builds literacy skills, helps those from less advantaged environments catch up to their more advantaged peers and fosters future success in learning and school. Educators and school administrators across the state are urged to work with their school library media specialists to share information about this program and encourage K-12 youngsters to sign up for the Summer Reading Program at their local public library. For more information about Get a Clue @ Your Library, go to the New York State Library’s web site at http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/summer/ . Printer-friendly fliers in multiple languages for parents will be available online soon.

Center on Instruction Resource Update: Adolescent Literacy Resources

The Center on Instruction (COI), a partnership of five organizations, provides resources and expertise to the Regional Comprehensive Centers in reading, mathematics, science, special education, and English language learners. COI has added a new resource, Adolescent Literacy Resources: An Annotated Bibliography, to its website: http://www.centeroninstruction.org/resources.cfm?category=reading&subcat . This array of research, summaries, and policy documents on reading and reading comprehension for students in grades 4-12 includes discussions of all the current important research issues in adolescent literacy and the development of state and district level policies to support improvements in adolescent literacy outcomes. Visit the Center on Instruction at http://www.centeroninstruction.org/index.cfm .

New Alliance for Excellent Education Report:

Making Writing Instruction a Priority in America's Middle and High Schools
This new Policy Brief, published by the Alliance for Excellent Education, offers a succinct overview of the data on student writing achievement, the need for more and better writing instruction, and a number of ways in which policymakers can support school improvement in this area. Please visit http://www.all4ed.org/publications/WritPrior.pdf (pdf). For more information about adolescent literacy, please visit the Alliance for Excellent Education page on adolescent literacy http://www.all4ed.org/adolescent_literacy/index.html
 

Academic Literacy Instruction for Adolescents

A Guidance Document from the Center on Instruction, 4-12
This document developed by the Center on Instruction's Reading, Special Education and ELL Strands makes recommendations for improving literacy-related instruction in the content areas or across the entire school day, interventions for students reading below grade level, and recommendations for supporting literacy development in adolescent English language learners. Please visit http://www.centeroninstruction.org/files/Academic%20Literacy.pdf (pdf)
 

What is Scientifically Based Research? A Guide for Teachers
More than ever, educators are expected to make decisions that guarantee quality instruction. As knowledge emerges, so do philosophies, opinions, and rhetoric about definitions of instructional excellence. From policy makers to classroom teachers, educators need ways to separate misinformation from genuine knowledge and to distinguish scientific research from poorly supported claims. Effective teachers use scientific thinking in their classrooms all the time. This booklet, provides a brief introduction to understanding and using scientifically based research.
http://www.centeroninstruction.org/files/ScientificallyBasedResearch.pdf 

Office of Teaching Initiatives
A new link to the state Office of Teaching Initiatives has been added for informational purposes to the ELA home page at http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/ela.html. The goal of the Office of Teaching Initiatives is to provide qualified and certified teachers for employment in the State's public schools. The office issues certificates, develops teaching policy, and provides supportive services for teachers, schools, and the public.

The 21st Century Literary Map Project
Literary maps have long been used to help students and readers learn about literature, writers, and places. Inspired by all these maps, the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) is sponsoring the 21st Century Literacies and The 21st Century Literary Map Project. The invitation is open to you, to your colleagues, and to your students--to create a literary map of your specific locale, region, or state, designing maps through: (1) researching literature, and (2) using the medium best suited to achieving your intended purpose. Chosen literary maps will be for showcased at the 2007 NCTE Annual Convention in New York City on November 15-18. To join, email your interest to Kathleen Yancey at affsec@ncte.org . Additional information will be forthcoming. http://www.ncte.org/announce/126207.htm .   

WRITING NEXT
The Alliance for Excellent Education has published a new report, Writing Next, that "trumpets writing as an important component to literacy instruction ... a predictor of academic success... and a basic requirement for participation in civic life and the global economy." The report in its entirety is available at http://www.all4ed.org/publications/WritingNext/index.html .

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MATHEMATICS

NEW! Improvement in 3-8 NYS 2007 Assessment Results
Achievement in grade 3-8 math has improved overall this year, according to State test results. The improvement is notable in middle school, from grades 5-8. This year, 73 percent of students across grades 3-8 achieved the math standards, compared to 66 percent last year. Further details can be found at http://www.p12.nysed.gov/irs/press-release/20070612/home.htm

NEW! General Education & Diploma Requirements (June 2007)

A new chart is available which reflects changes in regulations enacted within the recent past, such as the phasing out of some local diploma options and the phasing in of new mathematics examinations and courses. This chart highlights the general education high school diploma requirements for students entering Grade 9 in 2002-2009. Each column of the chart is linked to a page that provides more detailed information in html format. The site is available at http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/gradreq/intro.html

Regulatory Changes Related to Commencement Level Mathematics Requirements Approved
At its May 22-23, 2006 meeting, the Board of Regents approved changes to Sections 100.5 (a)(3)(iv), 100.5 (a)(5)(b)(2), 100.5 (b)(iv)(c), 100.5 (b)(v)(a), and 100.5 (b)(x) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education. The action clarifies policy changes for commencement level mathematics, including graduation requirements, units of credit, and types of diplomas, during and after the transition from Regents Examinations in Mathematics A and Mathematics B to Regents Examinations in Integrated Algebra, Geometry, and Algebra 2 and Trigonometry. These changes are effective June 15, 2006 and will primarily affect students who first enter grade 9 in September of 2008.
View the chart that summarizes the changes.
View the revised regulatory language and related policy statements.

Item Writers Needed for Integrated Algebra and Geometry
New York State Regents Examinations are written by New York State constituents. Item writers for the Regents Examinations in the new Integrated Algebra and Geometry courses are needed for July 10-13 in Albany, NY. Stipends and travel expenses will be included. Please fill out the Call for Expertise at http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/call.htm if you are interested in either of these committees.

FREE Teaching and Learning Resources

The Federal Resources for Educational Excellence: Teaching and Learning Resources from Federal Agencies site links to 16 resources in Numbers and Operations, 19 resources in Geometry, and more in other content areas of the core curriculum. For other mathematics resources from FREE, please visit http://free.ed.gov/subjects.cfm?subject_id=33 .

100 Recommended Math Sites

The Association of Mathematics Teachers of New York State (AMTNYS) Publications Committee has compiled a list of 100 Recommended Math Sites. Sites are organized according to grade levels K-12, offer a brief summary of what type of material the site addresses, and outlines whether the site best serves teachers, parents, or students. To view the AMTNYS 100 Recommended Math Sites, visit http://www.amtnys.org/links/100sites.html.

2006 Presidential Award Winner
Please join us in congratulating Ms. Heather Shaw of Spencerport Central School District as the 2006 K-6 Presidential Award winner in mathematics. The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) identifies outstanding teachers in mathematics and science at the national level. Ms. Shaw will receive a citation signed by the President, a paid trip to Washington, DC, to attend a week-long series of recognition events and professional development opportunities, and $10,000 from the National Science Foundation. More information can be found at www.paemst.org.

Guidance for Calculator Use in the Classroom and on State Assessments in Mathematics
This chart summarizes the policy decisions made regarding the use of calculators in classrooms and on State Assessment in Mathematics. Integration of technology into the classroom is a powerful student motivator. The usage of calculators helps students visualize concepts and ideas. To view, go to http://www.p12.nysed.gov/3-8/CalcChart.html

Grant Winner Announcement
A list of the Summer Classes and/or Institutes for Teachers in Mathematics and/or Science Grant Winners 2007 is now posted at http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/mst/SummerClassTcher/GrantWinnerList2007.html

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SCIENCE

NYS Museum: Earth Science Workshop

Held from July 8-13th, 2007 (Sun 6pm-Fri 6pm) The Earth Science Workshop is intended for science teachers who are assigned to teach Earth Science/Physical Setting during the school year. This workshop is designed to help Earth Science teachers improve Regents Examination scores by becoming more familiar with the geologic environment and geologic history of New York State. For a registration form and more information, please visit http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/education/teacher/workshops.html .

Grant Winner Announcement

A list of the Summer Classes and/or Institutes for Teachers in Mathematics and/or Science Grant Winners 2007 is now posted at http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/mst/SummerClassTcher/GrantWinnerList2007.html

NY ECLIPSE

The New York State Education Department, in partnership with the National Science Resources Center (NSRC), is implementing a multi-year science education systemic change initiative – New York Enhancing Collaborative Leadership for Improved Performance in Science Education (NY ECLIPSE) – that will build leadership teams within local school districts. This initiative provides research-based products and services to assist New York State school districts in initiating, implementing, and sustaining effective inquiry-centered pre-kindergarten through grade twelve science programs for all students. NY ECLIPSE is based on the NSRC’s program, Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform, which is a nationally renowned professional development model that provides a comprehensive approach to district-wide systemic change in science education. The NY ECLIPSE initiative targets “renewal” efforts in each of the State’s large urban school districts including Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers and New York City.  In addition, the initiative targets leadership teams from Capital Region BOCES, Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES, Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES, and Western Suffolk BOCES. Click here for a briefing on the NY ECLIPSE initiative.

Building a Presence (BaP) Points of Contact still needed in every school in NYS!
The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), with funding from the Exxon/Mobil Foundation instituted a national initiative to create a comprehensive communications and professional development network of science education advocates which is referred to as Building a Presence BaP. The objectives of the project are to create a state and national network for K-12 teachers of science to share resources about effective science teaching and learning, lessen science teacher isolation, help science teachers implement state and national science education standards in their schools, stimulate professional development opportunities for science teachers, and provide teachers with resources to help all students learn science. NYS is seeking a point of contact in each school to receive email announcements and to share them will colleagues. Please forward this information to teachers of science in your district and have interested teachers contact Nancy Ridenour at nvr1943@clarityconnect.com for further details.

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SOCIAL STUDIES

Court System Launches New Youth Website

The Unified Court System (UCS) launched a youth-focused website as part of the Law Day celebration held at the Court of Appeals on April 30, 2007. The new educational site provides information about New York courts, proceedings and laws that involve and affect youth. It will also serve as a clearinghouse for information on statewide and local youth-oriented programs, activities and support resources. The UCS youth website can be found at http://www.courts.state.ny.us/whatsnew/index.shtml
 

NYS Museum: Mohican & Dutch in New Netherland Workshop
Held on July 10, 11, and 12, 2007 (9:00AM - 5:00PM) this workshop is designed for teachers of middle school and high school social studies. This workshop is a collaborative offering by the NY State Museum, the State Library, and the State Archives, at the Cultural Education Center in Albany, NY. Featured are the cultural and historical legacy of 17th century Dutch settlement and Dutch interactions with Mohican Indians. We will compare Mohican and Dutch symbols of community, economic and social decision-making, adaptations to change over time, and lasting cultural influences. For a registration form and more information, please visit http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/education/teacher/workshops.html .

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THE ARTS

Report on Middle Level Music Education

The New York State School Music Association’s Classroom Music Committee has produced A Report on PreK-12 Music Education in New York State with a Special Focus on the Middle Level. The report provides an overview of the status of classroom music education with specific information on middle level music programs, NYSSMA benefits/services, and the effect the learning standards have had on music education programs in the State. The report can be accessed at http://www.nyssma.org/committees.cfm?subpage=111 .

Music and Theatre Education Data Available

Charts that contain multi-year tallies of statewide student enrollments and teaching assignments in music and theatre education have been updated and posted. The Music Education Data chart covers approximately 30 years from 1975-76 until 2005-06. The Theatre Education Data chart includes information from 1999-2000 until 2005-06. Both are accessible at http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/arts/musictheatredata.html .

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PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Physical Education Requirement
The State Education Department has issued a field memo dated January 2007, regarding Physical Education Programs in response to concerns about the administration of physical education programs that lead to the attainment of NYS learning standards. This memo provides guidance for schools to better ascertain their compliance with Section 135.4 of the Commissioner's Regulations. School districts are encouraged to review the field memo to ensure that they are in compliance with the number of days per week and total minutes per week that are required for physical education at each grade level. The field memo and regulations may be accessed at www.fieldmemoPEjan07.pdf. 

Physical Education Profile

The NYS Physical Education Profile is a set of State-developed local assessments that may be used to provide evidence of the levels of student achievement for the physical education portion of the New York State learning standards for health, physical education, and family and consumer sciences (1996). This program is to be used at the discretion of local school districts to provide that evidence for physical education.

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DRIVER EDUCATION

NEW! NYS Department of Health: Passenger Safety Tip Cards

The NYSDOH Bureau of Injury Prevention has developed a passenger safety tip
cards for teen drivers and their passengers as part of their Teen Driving Safety Project. This publication is available at no charge, and can be viewed here. Contact the Bureau of Injury Prevention to request cards at injury@health.state.ny.us. 

Application for Approval

The "Application for Approval of Summer Secondary School Driver and Traffic Safety Education 2007" must have been postmarked by Friday, June 1, 2007. Programs that do not have teachers with current MV 283 as of the date of the application will not be approved. Approval is contingent upon school district compliance with other NYSED summer school registration processes. This application must be filed even though as of March 2007, the State Education Department no longer requires submission of “Certification of Intent to Conduct Summer School” or the “Summer School Enrollment Summary Report” to operate a summer school program. Applications and more information on submission are available at http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/de/StopReadNotice.html .

Summer School Driver Education 2007

Districts, BOCES and nonpublic schools that will conduct summer schools in 2007 will not have to submit to the State Education Department a “Certification of Intent to Conduct Summer School” and the “Summer School Enrollment Summary Report”. The Department will continue to provide support to all districts, BOCES and nonpublic schools that do conduct summer school. The 2007 Handbook for Summer School Administrators is currently available on the summer school website at http://www.p12.nysed.gov/sss/SummerSchool/home.html.

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MIDDLE LEVEL EDUCATION

2007 Essential Elements: School to Watch Announced

NYSED in partnership with the New York State Middle School Association is pleased to announce the designation of the North Salem Middle School of North Salem NY as a 2007 Essential Elements: School to Watch. North Salem joins seven other middle schools in the state to earn this designation. Schools to Watch is a national recognition program developed by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. New York State is one of 18 participating states in this program. The school has undergone a rigorous application process and proven itself to be a model of Academic Excellence, Social Equity, Developmental Responsiveness, Organization and Structure. For more information, please visit http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/mle/news/schools2watch.htm .

Home and Careers Skills Resource
The Family and Consumer Science (FACS) Associate in Career and Technical Education has just posted a brand new web page dedicated to Middle Level and the Home and Careers Skills course. This is a very comprehensive page and offers fantastic resources for Middle Level Administrators and teachers. Click on the Middle Level FACS link for Home and Careers Skills information or the FACS Home link for other important links to FACS information.

Middle Level FACS www.emsc.nysed.gov/cte/facse/middle
FACS Home www.emsc.nysed.gov/cte/facse

Middle Level Website
The Middle Level Education initiative has a new website to post timely notices regarding middle level initiatives. For ongoing information, please visit http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/mle/middle.html.

Essential Elements Schools-To-Watch (EE-STW) Application Available
Is your Middle Level Program a model of Academic Excellence, Developmental Responsiveness, Social Equity and Organization and Structure? Can you show evidence of effective school programs that have put your middle level program on a trajectory for increased student achievement? Is your school a School-To-Watch? The updated application for the third cohort of EE-STW is available on the New York State Middle School Association Website located at www.nysmsa.org. Click on “Schools-To-Watch” on the blue bar. Applications are due the third week of October. Click here for a briefing on NYS Essential Elements Schools-To-Watch.

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GLOBAL EDUCATION

NEW! 2007 Louis E. Yavner Awards Information
The Board of Regents invites nominations for the 2007 Louis E. Yavner Teaching and Citizen Awards. These awards provide recognition of a teacher and a citizen who have made outstanding contributions to New York State education about the Holocaust and other violations of human rights. The awards were established by the Regents and funded by the late Regent Emeritus Louis E. Yavner. State Education Department staff are not eligible for these awards. Complete information, including nomination forms, are available at www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/yavner.html. The deadline for submission of nominations is Friday, February 1, 2008. For more information, contact Larry Paska, Associate in Social Studies at lpaska@mail.nysed.gov. 
 

Inclusive Service Learning Manual
Service Learning is an approach to teaching and learning that combines real and needed community service with prescribed academic learning goals. The Magellan Foundation in collaboration with the New York State Education Department Learn and Serve America Program, with funding from the Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC) and the Corporation for National and Community Service, worked with numerous school districts in recent years to assist schools with including children with disabilities in service learning programs. As a result of this inclusive service learning project a Service Learning Manual was developed to provide instruct and technical assistance to other districts who are interested in students with and without disabilities working side-by-side on service learning activities. You may download a copy of the manual from the link below. If you are interested in obtaining a CD copy of the manual, please contact Fran Hollon at the NYS Education Department fhollon@mail.nysed.gov or Kerry Wiley at kwiley@ddpc.state.ny.us or call 1-800-395-3372.

CCSSO Publishes Policy Statement on Global Education

The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), has published a policy statement on global education. Formulated at their Annual Summer Institute in July 2006, the statement updates a version released in 1985. Five major challenges faced by education policymakers are examined. Strategies to address the challenges include defining 21st century global knowledge and skills and redefining graduation requirements to include a thorough understanding of global studies. The policy statement can be found in its full-text at:

http://www.ccsso.org/content/pdfs/Global%20Education%20FINAL%20lowrez.pdf .

Asia Society Presents: Chinese Language in the Schools
Asia Society is working with partners in the public and private sector to address the disparity between our need for more Chinese language programs in American schools and our current limited capacity. Find out more about schools that teach Chinese; sources of teachers; state certification and licensure; and links to other professional organizations at www.askasia.org/chinese/ .

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TESTING

New! Student Achievement Improves Across Grades 3-8 on 2007 Math Tests

On June 12, the Commissioner and Board of Regents publicly released the results of the 2007 grades 3-8 mathematics assessments. Achievement in mathematics has improved overall, with 73 percent of students across grades 3-8 meeting the standards compared to 66 percent last year. Congratulations to the students and to the parents, teachers and school leaders on your successful efforts to help improve student achievement in math. Across grades 3-8, the number of Black students achieving the standards increased from 46 percent last year to 55 percent this year. The number of Hispanic students achieving the standard increased from 52 percent last year to 61 percent this year. White students increased from 76 to 82 percent. The results for students with disabilities also improved overall. The press release, PowerPoint presentation and link to school and district data are available at http://www.p12.nysed.gov.

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VIRTUAL LEARNING SYSTEM

NYS Education Department Virtual Learning System (VLS)
The NYSED VLS has been enhanced and expanded with interesting visuals and additional content and can be found at www.nysvls.org. Recent changes include updated home pages with added informational items. Thousands of lesson plans and instructional tasks are available by exploring the learning standards and performance indicators in the seven content areas. In response to several suggestions, a new VLS Resource Search has been implemented. A user can easily access VLS resources and related information with just a few mouse clicks (two-to-three). Additional search options continue to provide quick access to SED and GEM (Gateway to Educational Materials) resources. Click here for a briefing on the Virtual Learning System. 

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WEB RESOURCES

What is Scientifically Based Research? A Guide for Teachers
More than ever, educators are expected to make decisions that guarantee quality instruction. As knowledge emerges, so do philosophies, opinions, and rhetoric about definitions of instructional excellence. From policy makers to classroom teachers, educators need ways to separate misinformation from genuine knowledge and to distinguish scientific research from poorly supported claims. Effective teachers use scientific thinking in their classrooms all the time. This booklet, provides a brief introduction to understanding and using scientifically based research. Visit
http://www.centeroninstruction.org/files/ScientificallyBasedResearch.pdf

Center on Instruction
The Center on Instruction (COI), a partnership of five organizations, provides resources and expertise to the Regional Comprehensive Centers in reading, mathematics, science, special education, and English language learners. This array of research summaries and policy documents for students in grades 4-12 includes discussions of all the current important research issues and the development of state- and district-level policies to support improved learning outcomes. Please visit the Center on Instruction at http://www.centeroninstruction.org/index.cfm

The National High School Center
The National High School Center (NHSC) is part of a national network of Content and Regional Comprehensive Centers funded by the U.S. Department of Education to help build the capacity of states across the nation to effectively implement the provisions and goals of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB). It is one of five content centers covering a spectrum of topical areas especially relevant to NCLB and school improvement.
http://www.betterhighschools.org/.  
 

U.S. Department of Education Products
ED Pubs Online Ordering System is a source for Department of Education Publications. This system is intended to help you identify and order U.S. Department of Education products. All publications are provided at no cost to the general public by the U.S. Department of Education. Use the searching options to identify the specific products you are seeking. http://www.edpubs.org/webstore/content/search.asp.

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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES