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SED hones message on middle-level reform March 3, 2005 Responding to concerns from New York State United Teachers about erroneous media reports, the State Education Department has clarified its new strategy to improve middle-level education. The department, said Deputy Commissioner James Kadamus in a statement, "will not approve any application that requests to eliminate instruction in a standards area." The announcement follows widespread news reports that low-performing middle-level schools would be allowed to drop such non-academic subjects as home and career skills, technology and music under a plan approved by the state Board of Regents in February. Under the Regents plan, districts looking to alter their existing instructional program in grades 5-8 will have two options, or models, under which they can design an alternative program and submit it to SED for approval. Both models open the door to altering the amount of time devoted to any course or subject. But, Kadamus said, applicants must document strategies that assure students receive instruction in all 28 of the state's learning standards, including those in subjects that are not tested. He said districts might accomplish that mandate by integrating instruction with other standards areas, team-teaching across subject areas or providing mini-courses. "Applications may seek relief from time requirements," he said, "but not from instruction in the standards areas." In his statement distributed to districts statewide, Kadamus echoed two earlier warnings from NYSUT Vice President Maria Neira: • Applicants will have to demonstrate that their local shared decision-making team was involved in the application. State regulations require that all districts have such a committee and that it include representatives appointed by their local union. • Unless and until SED approves their application, districts have no authority to implement either of the two new models. Kadamus said SED is still setting up the application process and working on amendments to state regulations to implement the Regent-approved plan. "We will be involved in monitoring the application and implementation of this program," Neira said. For details on the middle-level changes, log on to www.nysut.org. — John Strachan |
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