November 18, 2004

New math standards could be in place before the Board of Regents completes a longstanding effort to restructure New York's middle-level schools.

"It's just not ready to be taken up yet," Regent Anthony Bottar of North Syracuse told colleagues at the board's meeting Nov. 4. Bottar co-chairs the Regents committee working to improve student test performance at the middle level.

The latest State Ed proposal, unveiled in September and posted on the Web (www.nysed.gov), calls for creation of three middle-level models to give districts options to provide a program that best suits their students.

Since the restructuring began some three years ago, New York State United Teachers has been working to prevent districts from scrapping middle-level exploratory subjects such as technology education and home and career skills, ostensibly to find more time for core academics and Academic Intervention Services.

Under the so-called Model A, districts could retain their existing middle-level program under current regulations.

Local bargaining units would have to be involved in developing applications for Model B, which would let districts propose a plan to shore up core academics without taking away student access to exploratory subjects and AIS.

Local unions would have to sign off on applications for Model C, an option to let a small number of high-performing and new schools seek SED approval to experiment with middle-level curriculum, free from many regulations.

In other business:

• The board opened discussion on a proposed strategy to improve both the achievement of students with disabilities and district compliance with special ed requirements. Among other things, the proposal calls for standardized formats for Individualized Education Programs.
• Regents continued to take a hard look as they prepared for the December release of the annual report on charter schools. Board members are divided over a proposal in the Regents legislative agenda to back a measure allowing charters to seek building funds through the state Dormitory Authority.
• Also in December, Regents will take another look at raising the required passing score on Regents Exams from 55 to 65. In October 2003, the board extended for two years a local district option to allow students to pass required Regents Exams with a minimum grade of 55.

With another year of test results available, the board will discuss dealing with students who fall just short of passing a required exam and those who traditionally have trouble with the exams, including English-Language Learners and students with disabilities.

NYSUT.org. Copyright New York State United Teachers. 800 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham, New York, 12110-2455. 518.213.6000. http://www.nysut.org.