SED Updates November 2013

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SED Updates

November 2013

Updated: November 4, 2013

Special Education:

New - Policy Memorandum- The Board of Regents approved, for permanent adoption, amendments of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education relating to special

education space requirements plans. The amendments, which became effective

October 2, 2013, conform State regulations to Chapter 57 of the Laws of

2013. Consistent with Chapter 57, the amended regulations repeal the requirement for every BOCES to submit a special education space plan to the Commissioner and adds the requirements that each BOCES district superintendent must determine the adequacy and appropriateness of facilities space available to house special education programs in the least restrictive environment and ensure that programs will not be relocated

without adequate consideration of the needs of participating students with disabilities. For further information, see

http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/spaceplan-requirements-oct13.htm.

New - Translations - The sample consent form related to parental consent for the use of public benefits or insurance pursuant to IDEA is now available in Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Russian and Haitian-Creole.

http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/parentconsent-July2013-att3.htm.

New - Policy Guidance -The New York State Education Department has issued

clarification regarding an amendment to Title 10 (Department of Health) Regulations entitled, “Prevention of Influenza Transmission by Healthcare and Residential

Facility and Agency Personnel,” effective July 31, 2013 as it relates to approved

special education preschool and school-age programs.

New - Public Comment - The New York State Education Department’s P-12: Office of Special Education is seeking public comment on the proposed amendment of sections 200.1, 200.5 and 200.16 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education relating to

special education impartial hearings. Written comments on the proposed amendment

must be submitted on or before December 23, 2013. More information can be found at http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/comment/comment-dueprocesshearings-1013.htm.

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New - Professional Development - The New York State Education Department, P-12: Office of Special Education is pleased to announce the first in a series of webinars to be offered by the New York State Response to Intervention Technical Assistance

Center on topics related to the development and implementation of RtI frameworks in

schools across the State. (Revised Dates of Webinars - November 4, 12 and 18, 2013) These webinars are being offered as part of the new RtI Personnel Development Project. Further information can be found at

http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/RTI/webinars-TAC.htm

Regents:

Early Learning Updates: Regents support of Early Childhood Education-

• Expanding access to high-quality early learning opportunities has been a key priority of the Board.

• In 2013, the Regents State Aid proposal recommended dedicating $75 million to provide high quality full-day programming for some of New York’s most at-risk students.

• 2010 Race to the Top application was one of the few that responded to the Early Learning Priority.

http://www.regents.nysed.gov/meetings/2013Meetings/October2013/EarlyLearningUpd ates.pdf

http://www.regents.nysed.gov/meetings/2013Meetings/October2013/1013p12d3.pdf

Proposed Amendment of Sections 200.1, 200.5 and 200.16 of the Regulations of

the Commissioner of Education Relating to Special Education Impartial Hearings: Review of policy governing the State’s special education due process system to align the State timelines for rendering a decision with federal regulations, address certain deficiencies in the process and to ensure that impartial hearings are carried out in the most effective and efficient manner for the benefit of both parties.

Following discussion at the October Regents meeting, a Notice of Proposed Rule Making will be published in the State Register. Public comment on the proposed rule will be accepted for 45 days after the date it is published in the State Register. It is anticipated that the proposed amendment will be presented for permanent adoption at the January 2014 Regents meeting, with an effective date of February 1, 2014.

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Preschool Special Education Re-approval Review Findings: Preschool special

education program reapproval review findings and recommended next steps for ensuring that approved preschool programs serving students with disabilities provide quality services in a necessary and cost-efficient manner and in the least restrictive environment.

At the March Regents meeting, staff will discuss the public comments received and bring a set of policy and/or rate setting reform recommendations to the Board of Regents meeting for review and discussion.

FYI

Regents (General Education):

PARCC Update- The Board of Regents has decided that New York State will not implement PARCC in 2014-2015. Whether or not PARCC is adopted at all will be

determined in the future. This presentation explains PARCC and the rationale for the decision to delay. The reasons cited for this delay are inadequate technology, longer administration times, and higher costs. Field testing will continue and New York will remain part of the PARCC consortium. No matter what, districts should continue to prepare for eventual computer-based testing, whether PARCC or NYS assessments are administered.

Another Board of Regents presentation explains the status of New York’s assessment

system. Information about which assessments are required, which are “optional,”

administration duration, and myths about testing are included. The waiver request to USDOE that accelerated 8th_{grade students taking Algebra 1 not be required to take}

the 8th grade math assessment is included. Powerpoint:

http://www.regents.nysed.gov/meetings/2013Meetings/October2013/P12PARCC.pdf

Update on Implementation of the Diagnostic Tool for School and District

Effectiveness: The purpose of this item is to provide the Board of Regents with an update on the Department’s progress in implementing the Diagnostic Tool for

School and District Effectiveness, which is a key component of New York’s

approved Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Flexibility Waiver and of New York’s strategy for turning around low performing schools.

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Performance Levels for Common Core Regents Examinations: Similar to the process

followed for the Grades 3-8 Common Core ELA and math exams, performance levels need to be determined prior to the development and review of performance level

descriptions by the educators on New York’s Content Advisory Panels. Performance level descriptors are detailed descriptions of what students should know and be able to do at each of the designated performance levels. Performance levels and performance level descriptors are needed so that educator panelists can recommend performance

standards (or cut scores) during the June 2014 standard setting process.

Proposed amendment of §§154.2 and 154.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner relating to Examination Requirements for Identifying Pupils with Limited English

Proficiency: The proposed amendment will be submitted for discussion at the October

2013 Regents meeting. It is anticipated that the proposed amendment will be presented for adoption at the January 2014 Regents meeting.

Elimination of the Requirement that Eighth Grade Students who take the Regents

Examination in Algebra also take the Grade 8 Mathematics Assessment: To improve the learning opportunities for students who take the Algebra Regents in Grade 8 by relieving these students of the need to simultaneously prepare for the Grade 8 Mathematics Assessment.

PowerPoint: New York State Assessment Update

http://www.regents.nysed.gov/meetings/2013Meetings/October2013/AssessmentUpdat e.pdf

This page provides information on both high school diploma and nondiploma exiting

credential options available to New York State students with disabilities.

Information is provided on the course work, credit and assessment requirements students must successfully complete to earn a Regents or local high school diploma, including the various safety net options available to assist students with disabilities to earn a local diploma. Requirements, model forms, guidance, and questions and answers

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for the Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential and the New York State Career Development and Occupational Studies Commencement Credential are also provided. Check this site often for additional resources and updated questions and answers on both of these high school exiting credentials.

http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/gradrequire.html Summary Chart of Diploma/Credential Requirements

http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/diploma-credentials.html

NYS Education Department Office of Special Education Special Education Quality Assurance 333 East Washington Street, Suite 210

Syracuse, New York 13202 (315) 428-4556 Office

(315) 428-4555 Fax

Special Education web site – http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/