EdVANTAGE Blog

In this post:

• Why NYSUT sued the Regents
• State’s second largest union rejects proposed contract
• Health insurance premiums surging nationwide

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In this post:

• Blog posts over the past week (NCLB waivers, An interview with the Commissioner, 2-year School Aid funding)
• Newsday on teacher evaluations
• More on test security
• Governor Cuomo vetoes school district bills
• GOP candidates on education
• “Other” property tax issues Read the rest of this entry »

On Friday, President Obama unveiled his administration’s long-awaited plan to authorize states to gain waivers from specific requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

State Education Commissioner John King attended the White House event and issued a statement saying the Board of Regents will start discussions on the waiver opportunity at its October meeting and that the State Education Department will seek recommendations from stakeholder groups and accountability experts.

Council members are well represented on the stakeholder group SED will consult.

The requirements for obtaining waivers resemble those of the Race to the Top competition, so New York should be well-positioned to gain approval.

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The 2011-12 state budget took the unusual step of enacted a two-year appropriation for School Aid, covering both the current and 2012-13 school years.

Under the enacted state budget, School Aid for 2012-13 is projected to increase by $805 million, or 4.1 percent.

Is this a ceiling or a floor, and whichever it is, how solid is it? Read the rest of this entry »

This month’s edition of the Councilgram, our monthly, newsletter features part one of an interview with State Education Commissioner John B. King Jr.

In this part of the interview, the Commissioner answers questions about the financial challenges facing schools, the soundness of state assessments, the pace of reform, and the rewards he finds leading a state agency, after spending most of his career closer to the classroom.

At the end of part one, the Commissioner acknowledges that successful implementation of the Regents Reform Agenda is “wholly contingent on the successful leadership of superintendents.” Read the rest of this entry »

In this post:

• Cheating
• State revenues short of projections
• Obama Jobs Bill — Implications for New York schools
• Governor to sign bill requiring new school procedures on head injuries
• Blue Ribbon Schools in New York State
• Teacher evaluation in New York City

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It has been a hard week for many people –  heartbreaking and tragic for some who were affected by floods and wind damage caused by Tropical Storm Irene.

Some schools have been directly affected and forced to postpone the beginning of classes.  From past weather disasters, we know schools also serve their communities in different ways in such times, providing space for emergency shelter.

In smaller but significant ways it has been a difficult stretch for the New York State Education Department as well.

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