Four public forums focusing on potential future graduation requirements in New York State are being held in September and two in October for educators and residents of Dutchess County.
Stemming from findings of the New York State Education Department’s Blue Ribbon Commission, the forums will highlight the recommendations and seek feedback from attendees, which will include educators and a variety of community members.
In summary, the recommendations include:
- Adopting the New York State Portrait of a Graduate as the framework for diploma requirements. The portrait has seven elements:
- Critical Thinker
- Innovative Problem Solver
- Literate Across Content Areas
- Cultural Competence
- Social-Emotional Competence
- Effective Communicator
- Global Citizen
- Redefining credits by organizing them around the portrait, adding career and technical education and financial literacy requirements and expanding ways for students to show proficiency in the standards and components of the portrait.
- Sunsetting diploma assessment requirements by eliminating the need to pass the Regents or a +1 Pathway assessment to graduate. (State assessments will continue per federal ESSA requirements)
- Move to one diploma statewide with advanced designations via a seal or endorsement with room for districts to add additional seals or endorsements. If students satisfy state requirements they will earn a diploma.
- Require all New York State teacher preparation programs to provide instruction in culturally responsive-sustaining education practices.
See NYSED’s Blue Ribbon Commission page for more information on the commission and its recommendations.
Pawling Central School District Superintendent Kim Fontana and Beacon City School District Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Student Support Sagrario Rudecindo-O’Neill are leading the forums as Blue Ribbon Commission ambassadors.
“I’m very excited about this,” Fontana said. “This is an opportunity for New York to bring our education more in line with the 21st century. The recommendations allow students to have more opportunities to tailor their education across components and provide a more meaningful school experience.”
Rudecindo-O’Neill chaired the steering committee and presented the recommendations to the Board of Regents.
“I feel it is my duty to spread the word and support the work. It is an honor and privilege to share this and ensure that barriers are removed so students can get their diplomas,” Rudecindo-O’Neill said, adding, “The biggest takeaway I hope people will walk away with is that they received accurate information and that they find the recommendations to be hopeful and long overdue for New York students. I hope they see this as an opportunity for students, something that enhances the rigor but is equitable.”
The forums are scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 10 and Thursday, Sept. 19 at Dutchess BOCES’ Conference Center, 5 BOCES Road, Poughkeepsie.
Educators may attend from 4:30-6 p.m., while the public forums are scheduled from 6:30-8 p.m.
During the forums, participants will be asked to discuss the four major recommendations in small groups and share feedback through prompts electronically.
Dutchess BOCES Deputy Superintendent Jodi DeLucia said the agency is glad to partner with the New York State Education Department to share these recommendations with educators and the public and gather feedback to help inform the decision-making process.
The forums are scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 10 and Thursday, Sept. 19 at Dutchess BOCES’ Conference Center, 5 BOCES Road, Poughkeepsie.
Educators may attend from 4:30-6 p.m., while the public forums are scheduled from 6:30-8 p.m.
During the forums, participants will be asked to discuss the four major recommendations in small groups and share feedback through prompts electronically.
Dutchess BOCES Deputy Superintendent Jodi DeLucia said the agency is glad to partner with the New York State Education Department to share these recommendations with educators and the public and gather feedback to help inform the decision-making process.
Please register to attend a forum using the links below:
Thursday, Sept. 19 at Dutchess BOCES, 5 BOCES Road, Poughkeepsie
Wednesday, Oct. 16, at Beacon High School, 101 Matteawan Road, Beacon
Educator forum, 4:30-6 p.m. or https://bit.ly/BRC-EducatorForumOct16
Public forum, 6:30-8 p.m. or https://bit.ly/BRC-Public-ForumOct16
Wednesday, Oct. 23, at Pawling Middle School, 80 Wagner Road, Pawling
Educator forum, 4:30-6:30 p.m. or https://bit.ly/BRC-EducatorForumOct23
Public forum, 6:30-8 p.m. or https://bit.ly/BRC-Public-ForumOct23