OISR

School Receivership - Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Commissioner’s Regulation §100.19 Related to School Receivership

Categories: 

A. Commissioner’s Regulation §100.19

A.1. When did these regulations become effective?

A:  Commissioner’s Regulation §100.19 was adopted by the Board of Regents at their June meeting as an emergency action.  The regulations took effect on June 23, 2015.  This fall, the Board will consider adopting §100.19 as a permanent regulation after conducting an assessment of public comments. Districts with schools identified as Persistently Struggling and/or Struggling are required to implement the provisions of Commissioner’s Regulation §100.19 beginning on July 15, 2015, the date the Commissioner formally identified schools as Persistently Struggling or Struggling.

A.2 When does School Receivership begin?

A:  The question of when the School Receivership begins is addressed in §100.19(d)(3), which states: 

“(3) Upon the department’s approval of a model or plan, the superintendent shall be vested with all the powers granted to an independent receiver pursuant to subdivision (g) of this section for a period of one school year for a persistently struggling school and for a period of two school years for a struggling school, provided that the superintendent shall not be allowed to supersede any decision of the board of education with respect to his or her employment status, except that the school district superintendent receiver shall not be required to create and implement a school intervention plan or to convert a struggling or persistently struggling school to a community school, further provided that any board of education decision with respect to the superintendent’s employment status shall be consistent with applicable laws and regulations and his or her employment contract and shall not be taken in retaliation for acts taken as a school receiver consistent with Education Law section 211-f and the provisions of this section. “

Therefore, the Superintendent or the Chancellor of the New York City Public Schools can begin using the powers as a receiver when the school’s School Comprehensive Education Plan (SCEP), 1003(g) School Improvement Grant (SIG) Plan, School Innovation Fund (SIF) Plan, Phase-out Plan, or Out of Time School Plan for the 2015-16 school year has been, at minimum, provisionally approved by the New York State Education Department (NYSED or “the Department”).  After a review of the SCEP, SIG or SIF plan for each identified school, the Department will provisionally approve the plan.  In order to receive provisional approval, the SCEP, SIG or SIF plan must meet the existing standards set by the Department for approval of these plans.  Without provisional approval, the Superintendent may not invoke the powers of the Receiver. 

Once schools have been identified, the district is responsible for the following:

  • The district must have formed a Community Engagement Team for each identified school.
  • The district must provide notification to parents of students who attend each identified school. 
  • The district must conduct public hearings in each identified school. 

The deadline for submission of the Community Engagement Template and evidence; the Public Notification and Hearing Requirements Template and evidence; and the Demonstrable Improvement Template is September 30, 2015 for all identified schools, regardless of the type of school improvement plan submitted to the Department. These materials must be submitted to the Department at Receivership@nysed.gov.

However, in order to provide adequate time for each Community Engagement Team (CET) to review and provide suggestions for revisions to the provisionally approved plan, districts have 60 days from the date of the Department’s provisional approval of the plan (or until September 30, 2015, whichever date is later) to provide evidence that the CET has reviewed and provided recommendations on the plan, to respond to the CET recommendations, and to submit any revisions made to the plan based upon the CET recommendations. 

Superintendent Receivers must meet this requirement by submitting to the Department the following:

  • Evidence of CET review of the plan, such as a review sign off sheet or meeting agendas;
  • The SED template signed by the Superintendent Receiver explaining the efforts made to incorporate the CET’s recommendations, if any, including a description of which recommendations were incorporated and how they were incorporated and which recommendations were not incorporated and why they were not incorporated into the department-approved intervention model or comprehensive education plan; and
  • A link to the page on the district’s website where the revised plan and the Superintendent’s template will be posted.

These materials must be submitted to the Department at Receivership@nysed.gov. Superintendent Receivers will not be allowed to continue using the powers of a Receiver if all of the required documents are not submitted, and if the Department has not reviewed and approved the final, CET-reviewed version of the plan.

Back to the Top

B. Receivership Powers and Responsibilities

B.1. What is required of the Superintendent Receiver, and by when must these requirements be completed?

A:  The Superintendent Receiver is responsible for the following:

  • By August 12, 2015, the district must have formed a Community Engagement Team for each identified school.
  • By August 14, 2015, the district must have provided notification to parents of students who attend each identified school as specified in Commissioner’s Regulation §100.19(c). 
  • By August 14, 2015, the district must have conducted public hearings in each identified school unless the district has applied for and received an extension.
  • By September 30, 2015, the district must submit to the Department the Community Engagement Plan, the Public Notification and Hearing Template and the Demonstrable Improvement Template for each school.
  • Within 60 days of the Department’s provisional approval of the school’s plan or by September 30, 2015, whichever is later, in order to continue to be vested with the power of a receiver, the superintendent must submit a revised SCEP, SIG or SIF plan that has been reviewed by the Community Engagement Team and incorporates the recommendations of the CET or provides a rationale as to why the recommendations were not incorporated.

After the Department has approved the final plan, the Receiver is also responsible for:

  • Submitting quarterly reports to the local board of education regarding the progress made in implementing the approved SCEP, SIG, or SIF plan.  These reports must also be made public (for example, by posting them on the district’s website), and submitted to the Department.
  • Participating in quarterly meetings with the Department to discuss the progress made in implementing the approved SCEP, SIG, or SIF plan, as well as the data collected regarding improvements in school culture, student achievement, and teacher professional development and practices.
  • Working collaboratively with the Community Engagement Team to review the progress of implementation at the school and determine any necessary next steps or revisions to the plan. 

B.2 What are the powers that a Receiver can exercise after Department approval of the SCEP, SIG, or SIF plan?

A:  In order to implement a school intervention plan or a Department-approved intervention model or comprehensive education plan, as applicable, a School Receiver may take the following actions consistent with the provisions of Education Law section 211-f and, with respect to issues related to such actions for which collective bargaining is required, consistent with any applicable collective bargaining agreement(s) and provisions of Article 14 of the Civil Service Law:

  • Review and if necessary; expand, alter or replace the curriculum and program offerings of the school, including the implementation of research-based early literacy programs, early interventions for struggling readers and the teaching of advanced placement courses or other rigorous nationally or internationally recognized courses, if the school does not already have such programs or courses.
  • Replace teachers and administrators, including school leadership who are not appropriately certified or licensed.
  • Increase salaries of current or prospective teachers and administrators to attract and retain high-performing teachers and administrators.
  • Establish steps to improve hiring, induction, teacher evaluation, professional development, teacher advancement, school culture and organizational structure (e.g., instructional coaches or research-based instructional plans).
  • Reallocate the uses of the existing budget of the school.
  • Expand the school day or school year or both, which may include establishing partnerships with community based organizations and youth development programs that offer appropriate programs and services in expanded learning time settings.
  • For a school that offers first grade, add pre-kindergarten and full-day kindergarten classes, if the school does not already have such classes.
  • Include a provision of a job-embedded professional development for teachers at the school, with an emphasis on strategies that involve teacher input and feedback.
  • Establish a plan for professional development for administrators at the school, with an emphasis on strategies that develop leadership skills and use the principles of distributive leadership.
  • Order the conversion of a school in Receivership that has been designated as Struggling or Persistently Struggling pursuant to this section into a charter school; provided that such conversion shall be subject to Article 56 of the Education Law  (including the requirement of a vote by parents of students attending the school)  and that such conversion charter school shall operate pursuant to such article, and shall operate consistent with a Community Schools Model, and shall be subject to the provisions of subdivisions (3), (4), (5), (6), (9), (10), (11), (12) and (13) of Education Law section 211-f.

The Receiver also has additional powers and responsibilities as they relate to abolishment of staff positions at the identified school, and supersession of local board of education decisions related to employment of the staff and administration at the identified school and the school budget.  For a complete description of the processes related to abolishment of staff positions and supersession of local board of education decisions, please review Commissioner’s Regulation 100.19(g) which can be found at:http://www.regents.nysed.gov/common/regents/files/meetings//Revised%20Receivership%20100.19.pdf

Back to the Top  

C. Public Hearing and Notification Requirements

C.1. What are the public hearing and notification requirements for districts with Persistently Struggling and Struggling Schools?

A:   No later than 30 calendar days after a school has been identified as a Persistently Struggling or Struggling School, the school district is required to notify parents or guardians, of students attending the identified schools, regarding the designation of the school(s). The notification must be made in writing and must provide an explanation for why it was designated Persistently Struggling or Struggling.  The notices must be provided in English and translated, to the extent practicable, into the recipient’s native language or mode of communication.  Parents who enroll students in identified schools must be provided with this notification at the time of enrollment.  Each year that the school remains identified, the notification must be provided to parents or guardians no later than June 30th.  

The district must hold an initial public meeting to discuss the performance of the designated school and the concept of Receivership no later than 30 calendar days after a school has been identified, unless the district has been approved for an extension by the Department. 

There are additional public notification and hearing requirements that must be met by the district.  The Department has created a template for districts to use in providing information regarding how the required public notification requirements have been met. The Public Notification and Hearing Template must be submitted as an addendum to the school’s 2015-16 SCEP, SIG or SIF plan.

C.2. In districts where there is more than one Persistently Struggling or Struggling School, can the district hold one central meeting to fulfill the public hearing requirements? 

A:  No.  A separate public hearing must be held for each identified school.  Further, the regulation specifies that in order to maximize opportunities for the participation of the public and parents of, or persons in parental relation to, students attending the school, the public meeting or hearing shall be held at the school building in the evening hours or on Saturday, to the extent practicable.

Back to the Top

D. Community Engagement Team and Plan

D.1. What are the requirements for establishment of a Community Engagement Team and creation of a Community Engagement Plan?

A:  No later than 20 business days following the identification of a school as Persistently Struggling or Struggling, which would be August 12, 2015 for schools identified in July 2015, the school district is required to establish a Community Engagement Team (CET).   The CET must be composed of community stakeholders with direct ties to the school including, but not limited to, the school principal, parents of (or persons in parental relation to) students attending the school, teachers and other school staff assigned to the school, and students attending the school. The administrator, teacher and parent members of the CET must be selected through the process established in Commissioner’s Regulation §100.11(b).  The membership of the CET may be modified at any time as long as the team at all times includes the school principal; parents of (or persons in parental relation to) students attending the school; teachers and other school staff assigned to the school; and students attending the school, as required based upon the school’s grade configuration. 

The Superintendent Receiver must develop a Community Engagement Plan describing how the district will establish the CET and the process by which the CET will be consulted.  The Community Engagement Plan must be submitted as an addendum to the school’s 2015-16 School Comprehensive Education Plan (SCEP) or intervention model plan (i.e., a 1003(g) School Improvement Grant or a School Innovation Fund Grant).  The Department has created a template for submission of the Community Engagement Plan, which is posted on the SED website at:  https://p12.nysed.gov/accountability/de/SchoolReceivership.html. 

The Community Engagement Team is charged with developing recommendations for improvement of the school and for soliciting input regarding their recommendations through public engagement.  This public engagement may include, but is not be limited to, public hearings or meetings and surveys.  The CET will work with the Superintendent Receiver to review the SCEP plan, the 1003(g) School Improvement Grant (SIG), or School Innovation Fund (SIF) plan submitted to the Department for the 2015-16 school year, and determine whether revisions are necessary.  After the plan receives Department approval, the Community Engagement Team will work to assess the degree to which the school’s Comprehensive Education Plan or Department-approved intervention plan is being successfully implemented and provide on-going recommendations at least twice annually to school leadership.  All such recommendations and the efforts made to incorporate them, including a description of which recommendations were incorporated and how they were incorporated and which recommendations were not incorporated and why they were not incorporated, must be included as an attachment to the Department-approved SCEP, SIG or SIF plan.

D.2. How many parents can the CET have? The regulations specify the process by which the representatives will be elected, but not the number of representatives.

A:  The number of parents or any stakeholder group on the CET is determined by the receiver.  However the number could be influenced by how the district’s Part 100.11 plan requires that representatives be selected. For example, if the Part 100.11 plan specifies that each family with a child at the school shall have one vote in selecting parent representatives and the top three vote getters shall serve on the Part 100.11 team, then the families shall appoint their representative(s) in this manner, but the superintendent could decide to have more or fewer than three parents on the CET.  However, if the Part 100.11 plan states that two persons selected by the members of the Parent Organization and two persons selected by the Special Education Parent Teacher Association shall serve on the Part 100.11 team, then the receiver must provide for at least one member selected by the members of these organizations to serve on the CET.

D.3. In the case that the public notice process for the CET creation as well as the Receivership hearing (where parents are informed that the school has been placed in Receivership and for what reason) is not followed, what recourse do parents have? Can they appeal to the Commissioner in the regular appeals process?

A:  Yes. An aggrieved party can appeal to the Commissioner pursuant to Education Law §310 from a district’s failure to comply with the notice and hearing requirements of Commissioner’s Regulation §100.19.

Back to the Top

E. Staffing

E.1. What is the process or format for conducting the required needs assessment for re-staffing?

A:  The School Receiver may abolish the positions of any or all members of the teaching and administrative and supervisory staff assigned to the Persistently Struggling or Struggling School, and require the staff members to re-apply for their positions at the school, provided that the receiver has conducted a comprehensive school needs assessment.  This assessment must include, but is not limited to the following:

  • An analysis of the professional development provided for the staff during the preceding two school years:
  • An analysis of how the planned abolition will result in improved student performance; and
  • A complete and thorough analysis of the results of the school needs assessment.

90 days prior to the planned abolition, the Receiver must notify - in writing - school staff and their collective bargaining representatives, the Superintendent (if the Superintendent is not acting as the receiver), and the local school board of the planned abolition.  The written notification must include the specific positions to be abolished and the timeline for the abolition and rehiring process; the results and analysis of the needs assessment; and the expected impact of the abolishment of positions on the educational program of the school and of other schools in the district; and a description of the efforts that will be made to minimize disruption to the educational program of the school or of other schools in the district, if any.

E.2. Do school administrators who are not re-staffed but are subsequently rehired by a school district retain their seniority and tenure?  The law says this applies to teachers but is silent regarding administrators.

A:  Yes. Education Law §211-f(7)(c) does not affirmatively alter the tenure or probationary status of a school administrator or a probationary school administrator’s probationary period.  The tenure statutes continue to apply to them, and in light of the strong public policy underlying the tenure statutes that have been recognized by the Courts, we interpret the term “teachers” in this provision of the statute broadly to include members of both the teaching staff and the supervisory staff.

E.3. If a teacher is assigned to more than one school in a district and is not re-staffed, does the shared teacher lose his or her job and go the Preferred Eligibility List (PEL), do they continue in their other position part-time, or is the district required to find a full-time position for the person?

A:  In this situation, the shared teacher continues to be employed by the district, and should retain whatever tenure or seniority or other rights they may have in such continued employment, other than the right to be assigned to work in the struggling or persistently struggling school.   However, to determine what those rights may be, a district in this situation should consult with its school attorney and review the provisions of its relevant collective bargaining agreement and the terms of employment of the shared teacher. 

E.4. The language regarding the replacement of a principal under Receivership speaks of the Receiver's ability to "terminate the employment" of the principal. Does this mean the principal is actually fired altogether, or does it mean the principal is terminated from that particular school?

A:  Education Law §211-f (7)(a)(viii) refers to the receiver’s authority to “terminate the employment of any building principal assigned to such a school,”  in addition to the authority to abolish the positions  of members of the administrative and supervisory staff.   Since principals are employed by the board of education and not the school, the plain language of the statute indicates that the principal may be terminated from employment by the school district.   

E.5. If a staff person is deemed not qualified to work in a school, could the district be required to rehire that person from the PEL if a vacancy subsequently occurs in that school? 

A.  Yes.  If a staff member’s position is abolished and he or she is not rehired, Education Law §211-f(7)(c) requires that they be placed on a PEL in accordance with the applicable provisions of Education Law §§ 2510, 2585, 2588 or 3013.  Each of those tenure statutes create a right to reinstatement to fill a vacancy in the tenure area of the position that was abolished based on the individual’s seniority, provided that the individual’s record is one of faithful, competent service.  Therefore, if a future vacancy occurs, a teacher who was not rehired by the Receiver will have a right to the position if he or she is the most senior teacher on the PEL in the tenure area and is determined to have provided faithful, competent service.   In this regard, Education Law §211-f(7)(b), provides that a teacher who has received two Ineffective ratings on the APPR shall be deemed not to have rendered faithful, competent service.

E.6. If re-staffing occurs, can the Receiver abolish only some positions or must all positions be abolished?

A:  Education Law §211-f(7)(c) says that the Receiver “may abolish all positions” but it doesn’t say he/she “must abolish all positions.”  We interpret the statute to authorize the Receiver to abolish some or all positions in the school.  Accordingly, §100. 19(g)(4)(ii)(a )says that before the abolition, the receiver has to provide notice of “the specific positions to be abolished.”  

Back to the Top

F. Supersession

F.1. What process must the School Receiver follow to supersede the decisions, policies, or local school district regulations of the Superintendent (if an Independent Receiver is in place); the school board, or the school principal?

A:  Not fewer than ten business days prior to the effective date of the supersession action the School Receiver must notify the Superintendent (if an Independent Receiver is in place), the school board, or the school principal, of the specific decision, policy or regulation that the Receiver plans to supersede.  The Receiver must also include in the notification the reasons for supersession; the specific decision, policy or regulation that will replace the one being superseded; and the time period during which the supersession will remain in effect.

The notified parties have at least five business days from the receipt of notice of supersession to respond in writing to the notice.  The Receiver must consider these responses before implementing the supersession.

At any point prior to the supersession of a decision, policy or regulation, the Superintendent (if an Independent Receiver is in place) or the board of education can request in writing that the School Receiver terminate the supersession.  Within 15 business days of the request, the School Receiver must respond in writing with the School Receiver’s decision and rationale for either accepting or rejecting the request.

F.2. What process must the Superintendent follow to supersede the school board regarding employment decisions?

A:   No later than 10 business days after a school board has acted upon an employment decision pertaining to staff assigned to a Persistently Struggling or Struggling School, the school board must notify the School Receiver of the action taken.  This action will not go into effect until it has been reviewed by the School Receiver.

The School Receiver has no more than ten business days from the date of notification to inform the school board, Superintendent (if there is an Independent Receiver in place), impacted staff and their collective bargaining unit of any changes to the employment decision that the school board must make in order to receive approval from the School Receiver.  Within this notification, the School Receiver must identify the specific changes that must be made; the rationale for the changes; an explanation of the way(s) in which the impact of the changes are limited only to the school(s) designated as Persistently Struggling or Struggling; and a description of how the changes will not unduly impact other schools in the district.

Once the school board is in receipt of the School Receiver’s proposed changes, the school board can adopt the changes at the next scheduled board meeting or return the changes within ten days to the School Receiver for reconsideration (with the reason for reconsideration specified in writing).

Upon receipt of the request for reconsideration, the School Receiver can withdraw the proposed change; revise the proposed change; or resubmit the original change to the school board. 

The School Receiver must notify the school board, Superintendent (if there is an Independent Receiver in place), impacted staff and their collective bargaining unit in writing of the decision within ten business days of receipt of the request for reconsideration.  This decision must be approved by the school board at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

Back to the Top

G. School Receiver Review of School Budgets

G.1. How can the School Receiver review and modify budget decisions made by the local school board?

A:  The local school board must provide a copy of the proposed district budget no later than 30 business days prior to the presentation to the district voters of a school budget at the budget hearing, or by no later than 5 business days prior to the date that the superintendent in a city school district in a city having a population of one hundred twenty-five thousand inhabitants (or more) submits the budget to the school board.  The school board shall provide the School Receiver with a copy of the proposed district budget, including any school-based budget, that shall include a specific delineation of all funds and resources that the School Seceiver shall have available to manage and operate the school and the services and resources that the school district shall provide to the school.

No later than five business days after receiving the proposed budget, the School Receiver shall inform the school board and superintendent or chief school officer of any modification to the proposed budget that the school board must make in order for the receiver to implement the approved school intervention plan or intervention model or comprehensive education plan, provided that such modification(s) shall not require the school board seek voter approval of a budget that exceeds the tax levy limit pursuant to Education Law section 2023-a. The School Receiver shall identify the specific modifications that must be made, the rationale for the modifications, an explanation of the way(s) in which the modifications are limited in scope and effect to the school(s) designated as struggling or persistently struggling and/or under receivership, and a description of how such modifications will not unduly impact other schools in the district.

Upon receipt of the School Receiver’s proposed budget modifications, the school board shall incorporate the modifications into the proposed budget and present it to the public or return the modifications within 5 business days to the school receiver for reconsideration with the reasons for reconsideration specified in writing.

Upon receipt of a request for reconsideration, the School Receiver shall withdraw the direction to modify the budget; revise the budget modification; or resubmit the original budget modification.

The School Receiver shall notify the school board in writing of the decision within five business days of receipt of the request for reconsideration and the determination of the School Receiver shall be incorporated into the budget. Upon approval of the school district budget, any changes to budgets that would adversely impact the ability of the School Receiver to implement the approved school intervention plan or intervention model or comprehensive education plan must be approved by the School Receiver.

Back to the Top

H. Alignment with Out of Time School Plans

H.1. How do the requirements and activities for Out of Time Schools align or support the activities and requirements under Receivership?

A:  Persistently Struggling or Struggling Schools that have approved Out of Time plans have already begun the process of dramatic school improvement.  In order to receive approval of their Out of Time School plans, districts were required to use the results of the Diagnostic Tool for School and District Effectiveness (DTSDE) review to choose one of five intervention models for each of the identified schools.

 Additionally, the district was required to describe how it would engage parents and the local community in the development and implementation of the plan.  Prior to the beginning of each school year, the Department evaluates the progress of plan implementation and the student academic achievement at identified Out of Time Schools.  Based upon that evaluation, the Department may require that the district modify its existing plan, or may inform the district that the school must convert to a charter, or contract with SUNY/CUNY or begin to phase-out.

A School Receiver can build upon the Department approved Out of Time plan while implementing receivership.  The School Receiver does not have to create an entirely new intervention plan for each Persistently Struggling or Struggling School.  School Receivers may propose amendments to the intervention plan based on Receivership, but they are not required to do so.  The powers of the School Receiver can assist the School Receiver with implementing the activities described in the Out of Time plan, especially as they relate to any necessary changes to the collective bargaining agreement or school program structure. Finally, the requirements to create a Community Engagement Plan and establish a Community Engagement Team should be aligned with the description within the grant of how the district will engage with parents and the local community. 

 In all cases there is the ability to make amendments to these plans, but not the requirement to do so based on the new receivership regulations.

Back to the Top

I. Alignment with 1003(g) School Improvement Grants (SIG) and School  Innovation Fund (SIF) Grants

I.1. How do the goals and activities of the SIG or SIF grants align or support the activities and requirements under receivership?

A:  Persistently Struggling or Struggling Schools that have approved SIG or SIF grants have already begun the process of dramatic school improvement.  In order to receive a SIG or SIF award, districts were required to conduct needs assessments at the identified schools, and to implement certain activities, based upon the intervention model chosen and the results of the needs assessment.  Additionally, the district was required to describe how it would engage parents and the local community in the development and implementation of the plan.  Prior to the beginning of each school year, the district is required to provide the Department with an update on the progress of SIG or SIF plan implementation, and to propose any modifications to the plan for approval by SED.

A School Receiver can build upon SIG or SIF plan activities and goals when implementing Receivership.  The School Receiver does not have to create an entirely new intervention plan for each Persistently Struggling or Struggling School.  In fact, in order to continue to receive SIG or SIF funds, the school must implement the Department-approved SIG or SIF plan.  School Receivers may propose amendments to the plan based on Receivership, but they are not required to do so.  The powers of the School Receiver can assist the School Receiver with implementing the activities described in the SIG or SIF plan, especially as they relate to any necessary changes to the collective bargaining agreement or school program structure. Finally, the requirements to create a Community Engagement Plan and establish a Community Engagement Team should be aligned with the description within the grant of how the district will engage with parents and the local community. 

 In all cases there is the ability to make amendments to these plans, but not the requirement to do so based on the new receivership regulations.

Back to the Top

J. Alignment with School Comprehensive Education Plans (SCEP) and the Diagnostic Tool for School and District Effectiveness (DTSDE)

J.1. How do the goals and activities described in the SCEP align or support the activities and requirements under receivership?

A:  Since the United States Department of Education (USDE) approved New York State’s Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Flexibility Waiver in May 2012, schools that have been identified as Priority Schools have been required to implement school comprehensive education plans (SCEP) aligned with the USDE Turnaround Principles and to base the creation of the plan on the results of a Diagnostic Tool for School and District Effectiveness review. 

The DTSDE is a district and school needs assessment, and districts are encouraged to utilize the training that has accompanied the DTSDE, the reports and recommendations from prior visits to the school, and the framework the rubric provides when conducting needs assessments for Receivership schools.    In order to receive Department approval for their school improvement plan, Priority and Focus Schools are required to use the results of the DTSDE review to create a targeted comprehensive plan for increasing student achievement.  Additionally, the school was required to describe its process for consulting with parents and other stakeholders on the creation of the plan. 

A School Receiver can build upon the SCEP activities and goals when implementing receivership.  The School Receiver does not have to create an entirely new SCEP for each Persistently Struggling or Struggling School.  School Receivers may propose amendments to the plan based on Receivership, but they are not required to do so.  The powers of the School Receiver can assist the School Receiver with implementing the activities described in the SCEP, especially as they relate to any necessary changes to the collective bargaining agreement or school program structure.

J.2   Are districts still required to complete annual district-led DTSDE reviews of Persistently Struggling and Struggling Schools?

YES.  All Priority and Focus schools are required to receive annual DTSDE reviews.  These reviews will either be done by a NYSED Integrated Intervention Team (IIT), or completed by the district.  Districts have the option of conducting a District-led DTSDE review following NYSED protocols or conducting a School Review with District Oversight, which the district oversees. Receivership schools are not exempt from the requirement that an annual review is conducted.  All reviews must be conducted in the 2015-16 school year, and reports must be submitted by June 30, 2016 to DTSDEreviews@nysed.gov.  

Back to the Top  

K. Collaboration with School Board, Unions, Parents, and Local Stakeholders and Resolution of Disputes

K.1. In a case where the relationship between the superintendent and the school board is not at all cooperative or good, what recourse does the school board have if they are misinformed or completely left in the dark? 

A. Superintendents and school boards are expected to work together to implement the provisions of School Receivership.  At a minimum, superintendents are required to provide quarterly written reports to the board of education, the commissioner and the Board of Regents no later than October 30, January 31, April 30, and July 31 of each year, but school boards may require more frequent reports from the superintendent.    For the 2015-16 school year, quarterly reports will be due to SED by October 30, January 29, April 29, and July 29.

K.2. If a receiver requests the collective bargaining representatives of teachers or administrators to negotiate a receivership agreement that modifies the applicable collective bargaining agreements with respect to persistently struggling schools and/or struggling schools in receivership, are both parties required to negotiate and, if so, is there a deadline by which negotiations must be completed?

A. Education Law §211-f(8)(b) and (c) and §100.19(g)(5)(iii) of the Commissioner’s regulations each require that when a superintendent receiver or an independent receiver requests that a collective bargaining representative negotiate a receivership agreement that modifies a collective bargaining agreement both parties must negotiate in good faith and collective bargaining negotiations must be completed within 30 days of the collective bargaining unit’s receipt of the written request for collective bargaining. In addition, an agreement reached within the 30 day period must be ratified by bargaining unit members within 10 business days.

K.3. What happens if the collective negotiations are not completed within 30 days or an agreement is not ratified by bargaining unit members within 10 business days?

Under Education Law §211-f(8)(b),  the parties submit any remaining unresolved issues to the Commissioner for resolution.  The Commissioner must then resolve any unresolved issues within 5 days in accordance with standard collective bargaining principles.  In the case of a struggling school where Education Law §211-f(8)(c) applies, the parties must first submit any remaining unresolved issues to the American Arbitration Association (AAA) for appointment of a conciliator.  The parties have 3 business days to select a conciliator from a list of 3 conciliators provided by AAA and if they cannot do so, AAA must select a conciliator within 1 business day.   The conciliator must resolve the outstanding issues within 5 days. If after such 5 day period, any outstanding issues remain unresolved, the parties submit those remaining unresolved issues to the Commissioner, who must then resolve them within 5 days in accordance with standard collective bargaining principles.  

Please Note: Further guidance on the AAA conciliation process will be provided after consultation with AAA.

K.4. Can the parties agree to extend the 30 day period for completion of negotiations?

Yes, the Department interprets the provisions of Education Law §211-f(8) as establishing a new form of impasse procedure intended to empower a receiver to achieve prompt resolution of collective bargaining issues consistent with standard collective bargaining principles.  The parties may mutually agree that the 30 day period should be extended to allow them to complete negotiations — the goal of the process is to secure agreement, not to impose terms when the parties are close to agreement.  Alternatively, the receiver could at any time withdraw the request for negotiations and then make a new request for negotiations, which would trigger a new 30 day period.   If the parties mutually agree to extend the 30 day period or if the receiver withdraws a request for negotiations, they must send notice to the Commissioner by electronic mail to receivership@nysed.gov.

K.5. May the receiver request collective negotiations on any subject?

No.  Education Law §211-f(8)(a) specifies the subjects that the negotiated agreement may address for schools in receivership.  They are the length of the school day, the length of the school year, professional development for teachers and administrators, class size and changes to the programs, assignments and teaching conditions in the school in receivership.

K.6. Once the 30 day period for completion of negotiations or the 10 business day period for ratification has passed, when must the parties submit any unresolved issues to the Commissioner or to the American Arbitration Association for appointment of a conciliator?

The statute does not specify a deadline for submission of unresolved issues to the Commissioner or for submission to the AAA for appointment of a conciliator.  The Department encourages the submission of unresolved issues as soon as possible following completion of the negotiation or ratification period. 

K.7. After the 30 day period for completion or the 10 business day period for ratification has passed, may either party submit the unresolved issues to the Commissioner for resolution?

Yes.  With respect to a persistently struggling school, if a party fails to negotiate during the 30 day period or declines to submit or has not yet submitted unresolved issues to the Commissioner, either party may initiate the resolution process by submitting its unresolved issues for resolution.  The other party must be provided notice and an opportunity to respond, as described below. 

In a struggling school, after the 30 day period for completion or the 10 business dayperiod for ratification, either party may submit the unresolved issues to the American Arbitration Association (AAA) for appointment of a conciliator.  After the 5 day period for the conciliator to resolve any outstanding issues, either party may initiate the resolution process by submitting its unresolved issues to the Commissioner.    The other party must be provided notice and an opportunity to respond, as described below. 

Ideally, the parties will agree on what issues are unresolved and jointly submit requests for resolution.

K.7.A. What procedures must be followed to submit a request for resolution of collective bargaining issues through conciliation/arbitration by AAA for a struggling school?

In the case of a struggling school where Education Law §211-f(8)(c) applies, the submitting party must first submit a request for conciliation/arbitration to the American Arbitration Association (AAA) using the attached form.  The form must be submitted to the other party and to AAA by mail to the following address:

Lauren Wilson, Labor Supervisor

American Arbitration Association

120 Broadway, 21st Floor

New York, NY 10271

Request for AAA Conciliation/Arbitration Pursuant to Education Law §211-f(8)(c)

K.7.B.  What will happen after a request for resolution is submitted to AAA?

Upon receipt of a completed request for conciliation/arbitration form, AAA will provide the parties with a list of 3 conciliators/arbitrators with professional experience in elementary and secondary education.  The list of conciliators/arbitrators will include a resume/curriculum vita and hourly rate for each individual listed.  The parties then have 3 business days to select a conciliator/arbitrator from AAA’s list and, if they cannot do so, AAA must select and appoint a conciliator/arbitrator within 1 business day.  The conciliator/arbitrator must resolve the outstanding issues within 5 days and will contact the parties to arrange a conference at which the outstanding issues will be presented and discussed.

The fee for AAA’s case management services is $275 per party.  AAA bills parties equally for all costs unless the parties agree otherwise.

AAA Customer Service can be reached at 800.778.7879.

K.8. What needs to be submitted with the request for resolution of unresolved issues by the Commissioner?

There is no specific form for a request for resolution.  The request must be filed with the Commissioner and specifically describe the unresolved issues and the position of the submitting party on each unresolved issue, including the specific contract language recommended by the party for the receivership agreement.  The submitting party should also explain the rationale for the proposed contract language, including an explanation of how adoption of the proposed language would be consistent with collective bargaining principles,  such as any applicable factors set forth in Civil Service Law §209(4)(c)(v).  The submitting party may submit a memorandum of law and supporting affidavits or declarations with its submission.  Where the parties agree on what the unresolved issues are but not on how they should be resolved, they may jointly submit a request for resolution describing their respective positions, with each party presenting its own recommended contract language with an explanation of its rationale and any memorandum of law and supporting affidavits or declarations. 

The submitting party must submit proof that a copy of its request for resolution and all supporting documentation have been personally served on the other party in the same manner as a petition in a section 310 appeal under 8 NYCRR §275.8(a), or that that the other party admits that service has been made.  Where personal service is made, the submitting party must submit an affidavit of service in substantially the form prescribed in 8 NYCRR §275.9(a). In the event a party is unable after making two attempts to effect personal service within 24 hours during regular business hours at the main office of the other party, the submitting party may serve the request for resolution and supporting documentation by substituted service, in the same manner as a petition in a section 310 appeal pursuant to 8 NYCRR §275.8(a).  The request for resolution must also include an e-mail address at which responding papers may be served by the other party.

K.9. Where should the submission for resolution by the Commissioner and supporting documentation be filed.

An electronic copy of the submission for resolution must be filed with the Commissioner atLegal@nysed.gov.  The original of the submission for resolution by the Commissioner must be filed through express mail, next day delivery or the equivalent with the Office of Counsel, New York State Education Department, State Education Building, 89 Washington Avenue, Albany, N.Y. 12234.  Filing is complete upon the Commissioner’s receipt of the original submission and the electronic copy.

K.10. What is the process by which the other party may respond to a submission by the submitting party?

The other party (the respondent) may file responding papers within five days after service upon the respondent of the submission for resolution.  If the five day period ends on a weekend or holiday, the time to file responding papers is extended to the next business day pursuant to General Construction Law §25-a.  The responding papers must specifically describe the unresolved issues and the position of the respondent on the unresolved issue(s), including the specific contract language recommended by the  respondent for the receivership agreement.  The responding papers should also explain the rationale for the proposed contract language, including an explanation of how adoption of the proposed language would be consistent with collective bargaining principles, such as any applicable factors set forth in Civil Service Law §209(4)(c)(v), and if applicable why the submitting party’s proposed language is not consistent with collective bargaining principles.  The respondent may submit a memorandum of law with its submission.  If the parties jointly submit requests for resolution, each party may submit responding papers within five days of service of the submission.  Such responding papers must be limited to a response to the position of the other party.  Each party must submit proof, in affidavit or declaration form, that a copy of the responding papers have been served on the other party by electronic mail.  The responding papers must also include an e-mail address at which service of reply papers may be made by each party.

K.11. Once the respondent has served the responding papers, can the submitting party reply?

Yes.  The submitting party may submit reply papers within two days of its receipt of the responding papers. If the two day period ends on a weekend or holiday, the time to file reply papers is extended to the next business day pursuant to General Construction Law §25-a.  The reply papers shall be limited to a response to the position of the respondent, its proposed contract language and any legal arguments made by the respondent.  If the parties jointly submit their requests for resolution, no reply papers may be submitted; however, responding papers may be submitted as described in Q9.

K.12. Can a party submit additional papers beyond the responding papers or reply papers?

No.  Additional documentation may not be submitted to the Commissioner except upon direction of the Commissioner.

K.13. How are responding papers and reply papers filed with the Commissioner?

The originals of the responding papers and reply papers must be submitted to the Commissioner by express mail delivery or equivalent means, with next day delivery.

An electronic copy must be filed with the Commissioner at Legal@nysed.gov.

Filing with the Commissioner is complete upon the Commissioner’s receipt of the responding papers or reply papers and the electronic copy or copies.  

K.14. When must the Commissioner resolve the unresolved issues?

The Commissioner must resolve the issues within 5 days after the parties have fully submitted the request for resolution.  The parties’ submission is not complete until filing of the reply papers, or the responding papers in the case of a joint submission. The 5 day period commences upon such filing.

K.15. After the Commissioner has resolved the unresolved issues submitted to her/him, must the agreement be submitted to the members of the collective bargaining members for ratification?

Unless the Commissioner has resolved all the issues involved in the proposed receivership agreement, the receivership agreement must be submitted to the collective bargaining unit members for ratification within 10 business days.  If the members of the bargaining unit do not ratify the remainder of the receivership agreement that has not been resolved by the Commissioner, the parties must again submit the unresolved issues to the Commissioner for resolution.  

Back to the Top

L. Determination of Demonstrable Improvement

L.1. How will the Commissioner make the determination regarding demonstrable improvement?

A:  The Commissioner will use the Demonstrable Improvement Index (DII) to make such determinations. A school that achieves a DII of at least 67% will be determined to have made Demonstrable Improvement.  A school that achieves a DII of less than 40% will be determined not to have made Demonstrable Improvement, unless the district can provide evidence that extenuating or extraordinary circumstances prevented the school from achieving a higher DII.  If a school achieves a DII of at least 40% but less than 67%, the Commissioner will review the entirety of the school’s performance, including the degree to which the plan for the school has been implemented with fidelity, and make a determination regarding whether Demonstrable Improvement has been achieved.

L.2. How will demonstrable improvement be calculated?  Who will calculate it – the district or SED?

A: Demonstrable Improvement will be calculated by the Department using the DII. 

L.3 How is student growth included in the determination of Demonstrable Improvement?

A: Student growth for the “all students” group on grade 4-8 ELA and math assessments are Level 1 indicators.  Any school that performs below the 2015-16 goal for these indicators will be assigned those indicators.  Student growth for accountability subgroups on grade 4-8 ELA and math assessments are Level 2 indicators. A school may select any of these indicators for which it is below the 2015-16 goal as a Level 2 indicator.

L.4 Are all students, and all groups counted equally in determining Demonstrable Improvement?

A: No. The process for making Demonstrable Improvement is based upon the groups for which a Demonstrable Improvement indicator has been selected.  If the “all students” group has performed below the 2015-16 goal on a Level 1 indicator, it will be selected as an indicator.  If an accountability subgroup performs below a 2015-16 goal on a Level 2 indicator, it may be selected by the district as an indicator for the school. In some cases, a Level 2 indicator for an accountability subgroup can be “elevated” to a Level 1 indicator by a district for a school if the school performs below the 2015-16 goal for fewer than the mandated five Level 1 indicators.

L.5 What factors are used by the Commissioner to determine Demonstrable Improvement when a school makes between 40 to 67% on their progress calculation?  What are considered “extraordinary or extenuating circumstances?”

A: The Commissioner will use the performance of the school on all indicators for which data is available, the results of any department visits conducted to the school while under Receivership, the degree to which the school has implemented its plan with fidelity, and any additional information provided by the district about the school that the district wishes the Commissioner to consider.  Extenuating or extraordinary circumstances are ones where it can be demonstrated that the results on a particular accountability measure were adversely affected by circumstances beyond the control of the school.  For example, if a natural disaster caused the school to be closed for weeks and/or for students to be temporarily disbursed to other schools for an extended period that could be the basis for an appeal.

L.6. How were the Level 1 indicators for each school chosen?

A: If a school performs below the 2015-16 goal for an indicator, SED assigned that indicator to the school.  If a school has fewer than five indicators on which it is below the 2015-16 goal (or seven indicators if the school serves both grades 9-12 and grade 8 or below), then the district will select for the school sufficient “Associated Level 2” indicators so that the minimum Level 1 indicator number is met. An Associated Level 2 indicator is a Level 1 indicator that is applied to an accountability subgroup rather than to the all students group.  For example, the percentage of all students in a school who perform at or above Level 2 in grade 3-8 math is a Level 1 indicator.  Associated Level 2 indicators are the percentage of the English language learners, the low-income students, the students with disabilities groups or a racial/ethnic group who perform at or above Level 2. If there are insufficient numbers of Associated Level 2 indicators so that the minimum number of Level 1 indicators are met, the district may choose for the school Level 2 indicators for which the school is at or above the 2015-16 goal, but no more than one of these indicators can come from the same indicator category.

L.7 How should a district choose the Level 2 indicators for each of its schools?

A: The district should choose indicators in consultation with the school leader and the Community Engagement Team.  In general Level 2 indicators should be those on which the school is focused upon making improvement as reflected in the school’s Department approved-intervention plan or School Comprehensive Education Plan.

L.8. How does a district go about proposing and receiving approval to use locally determined metrics for Level 2 indicators?

A: The district uses the template provided by the Department to submit a locally determined indicator.  In order for the indicator to be approved, the district must demonstrate that:

  • There is a clear and unambiguous definition of the locally determined indicator as well as a clear and precise methodology and business rules for its calculation.
  • There is a compelling educational rationale for the use of the indicator.
  • There is a logical rationale for the progress targets and/or goals established for the school on the indicator and the school is currently performing below the goal.
  • The indicator can be computed and the results provided to the department in the prescribed timeframe.
  • The district currently reports results on the indicator or will pledge to do so, including all aggregate numbers necessary to calculate performance on the indicator.
  • There is a means by which the Department can audit the application of the methodology and the business rules to determine if they have been applied correctly.

Back to the Top

 

M Conversion to a Community School

N. Turnaround Grants for Persistently Struggling Schools

 

O. Appointment of an Independent Receiver

 

P.1. Where can districts find resources and technical assistance for implementing receivership?

A. The Department will continue to post resources on its Office of Innovation and School Reform webpage: OISR  Questions regarding School Receivership should be sent to: OISR@nysed.gov .  As questions that are relevant to multiple districts are received, the answers will be added to this FAQ.  In addition, the Department will be conducting regular webinars and convening throughout the school year to provide technical assistance to districts regarding School Receivership.

Last Updated: December 21, 2015