BOARD OF REGENTS
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF
THE
Robert M. Bennett, Chancellor ,
Merryl H. Tisch, Vice Chancellor,
Saul B. Cohen, New Rochelle
James C. Dawson,
Anthony S. Bottar,
Geraldine D. Chapey,
Harry Phillips, 3rd, Hartsdale
Joseph E. Bowman, Jr.,
James R. Tallon, Jr.,
Roger Tilles, Great Neck
Karen Brooks
Hopkins,
Charles R. Bendit,
Betty A. Rosa,
Lester W. Young, Jr.,
TO: District
Superintendents of Schools
Superintendents of Public Schools
Teacher Organizations
School Board Members
Deans of Institutions of Higher Education
Parent Organizations
ELA Teachers
ESL Teachers
Bilingual Education Teachers
Special Education Teachers
Interested Parties
FROM: Robert
M. Bennett, Chancellor, Board of Regents
SUBJECT: Public Forums on the
You
recently received a memorandum from Senior Deputy Commissioner Johanna
Duncan-Poitier inviting stakeholders to participate in one of the public forums
that the Board of Regents is sponsoring on the New York Learning
Standards. The forums will be convened
in April and May throughout the State and will focus on the Standards related
to English language arts (ELA) and English as a second language (ESL).
On behalf of my colleagues
on the Board of Regents, I would like to thank you for your interest in
providing us with your valuable insights, informed by your classroom
experience. I urge you to attend one
of the forums; the schedule of all sessions is provided at the end of this
memorandum.
Each forum will include a
general overview on the Standards initiative with the majority of the session
devoted to small group discussions that are designed to elicit your feedback on
three key issues:
1. ELA/ESL Standards Content and Substance. Considering the content and substance of the
Standards and Performance Indicators, what do you recommend be kept? What do you recommend be dropped? What do you feel is missing? What needs to be updated and/or revised?
2. Organization and Format of the ELA/ESL Standards. Is the organization/format of the current
Standards and Performance Indicators easy to understand by teachers and
others? Does the current format and
organization promote engagement by teachers and does this format make the
Standards easily "usable" by teachers? What organization and format would you
recommend be considered?
3. Are the ELA/ESL Standards Measurable? How
do you feel about the current ability of these Standards and Performance Indicators
to be properly measured? Can student
understanding or proficiency be measured through multiple assessment
approaches? Also, the measurability of
the Standards through local assessment measures, State assessments and
classroom methods (observation, portfolio evaluation, etc.) will be addressed.
Please note
that participant comments will be recorded and shared with the Regents.
The New York Learning
Standards are the basis and building blocks for curriculum and instruction, and
they will form the framework for statewide assessments as new tests are
developed and aligned with the revised Standards. Since this first review area is in ELA and
ESL, it is important that English teachers, English as a second language
teachers, bilingual teachers, school board members, and special education teachers participate in the
forums to ensure that affected practitioners are well represented. I, therefore, strongly encourage
superintendents and building principals to permit teachers to attend these
sessions.
Date |
Location |
Time |
April 24, 2008 |
Education Campus Conference Room B -1 Pre-registration: Geri Hoffman 716-821-7161 |
2:00–4:30 p.m. |
May 7, 2008 |
Pre-registration: Joan Johnson, 631-549-4900 |
2:00–4:30 p.m. |
May 8, 2008 |
United
Federation of Teachers Headquarters 52
Broadway, 5th Floor Pre-registration:
errill 718-722-2784 |
1:00–3:30 p.m. |
May 9, 2008 |
Pre-registration: Janice
Keller 518-746-3310 |
12:00–3:00 p.m.** |
May 13, 2008 |
Pre-registration:
Kathy Southwell 315-433-2602
|
3:00–5:30 p.m. |
May 21, 2008 |
Putnam-Northern Pre-registration: Marla Gardner 914-248-2330 |
2:00–4:30 p.m. |
* The Gymnasium
is the first building on the right on entering the campus’ south entrance on
** Participants are invited
to bring lunch, if they so wish. Food
and beverages will be available for purchase.
I look forward to your
partnership on this critical work for the students of
c: Members of the Board of Regents
Richard P. Mills
Johanna Duncan-Poitier