Access to Education in Museums … Museums opening doors to knowledge for all New Yorkers

1. The New York Knowledge Initiative… libraries opening doors to knowledge for all New Yorkers Libraries are uniquely positioned to close the gap at all levels – they deliver knowledge resources directly to New Yorkers and have skilled staff to help access and use them, but... New York lags behind other states in funding for its online library. In fact, NOVEL - New York’s first statewide virtual library - is supported entirely by temporary federal LSTA funds. There is no state support to grow or sustain this cost-effective program despite the fact that for every $1 spent on NOVEL, local libraries would pay $30 if they were to purchase these resources themselves. 40% of schools remain without access to NOVEL. New York State’s public libraries have a combined $1.7 billion need for construction and renovation. Many are inaccessible to those with disabilities, or are located in a crumbling and unsafe facility, or are unable to accommodate current computer and Internet technology. The New York Knowledge Initiative would provide: $10 million to grow and sustain NOVEL, including providing advanced R&D resources; more math, science, and technology resources for K-16; and better access for schools. $14 million for Public Library Construction Grants to help renovate and upgrade public library facilities. $3 million for library systems to support cost-effective access to knowledge resources and resource sharing for New York’s public, school, academic, and special libraries. 1

2. Access to Education in Museums… Museums opening doors to knowledge for all New Yorkers Museums are uniquely positioned to close the gap at all levels – they deliver knowledge resources directly to New Yorkers and have skilled staff to help access and use them, New York museums provide educational services directly to more than 3 million students each year. Museums are the only educational institutions without formula based state revenue Museum education programs have a strong positive impact on student learning The Access to Education in Museums Initiative would include: $17.5 million in direct formula based funding to chartered museums providing curriculum based education programming. $5.0 million in competitive grants to enhance teacher training, provide virtual access to museum programs, enhance exhibitions for education, bring museums into the schools, and address science literacy $5.0 million for competitive grants for performing arts institutions providing educational programming to students. 2

3. Request for Funding for Vocational Rehabilitation Services • Increase Over 2006-2007 Level As Follows: • Integrated Employment (Case Services): Maintain Level Funding • Supported Employment: Maintain Level Funding • Independent Living: $4,000,000 Regents Priority Requests Reason for Request To ensure that capacity is maintained to adequately serve individuals with disabilities, the State Education Department’s Office of Vocational and Education Services for Individuals with Disabilities makes the following specific requests: 3

4. Employment and Independence Initiative Integrated Employment (Case Services) Maintain Level Funding VESID assists persons with disabilities enter employment in New York State. Level funding is needed to sustain services for eligible individuals and to assure that VESID’s capacity to serve these individuals is maintained. Individuals with disabilities going to work support New York State. In 2005, over 13,200 individuals with disabilities were placed into employment by VESID, resulting in $206 Million in annualized earnings. In the last five years, VESID has helped over 17,500 welfare recipients obtain employment, thereby increasing tax revenues and providing savings in public benefits. Supported Employment Maintain Level Funding The Supported Employment Program is a cost-effective program that serves individuals with severe disabilities. Individuals are placed and supported in integrated job settings. Many individuals served in the Intensive program require on-going Extended Supported Employment services to maintain employment. In the Intensive program, VESID services approximately 3,000 individuals, many of whom then require Extended services. The Extended program is and may only be supported with State funds. VESID is seeking level funding to maintain both the Intensive and Extended Supported Employment programs. Independent Living $4,000,000 New York’s 36 Independent Living Centers serve over 75,000 individuals and thousands of business throughout New York State. They have become the primary resource for information necessary to enhance community integration of people with disabilities, increase physical and communication access and remove disincentives to work. Independent Living Centers remain instrumental in facilitating implementation of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Olmstead Decision, crating strategies with school districts for youth to enhance transition planning and services for youth with disabilities, and increasing access to new and emerging employment options under the Workforce Investment Act and New York’s Medicaid Buy-in programs. Independent Living Centers continue to be the only consumer controlled, community based, nonresidential, not-for-profit network in New York State operating based on self-help, peer driven model. VESID is seeking an additional $4 Million for the 36 Independent Living Centers to focus efforts on successful transition of youths into adult life, job readiness skill development for people entering the job market, and targeted outreach and coordination of de-institutionalization for New Yorkers with disabilities. 4

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7. EMPLOYMENT AND INDEPENDENCE INITIATIVE – A SMART INVESTMENT IN PEOPLE AND PRODUCTIVITY Numbers of People with Disabilities Placed in Employment by VESID and Their Annualized Earnings and Estimated State Income Tax Receipts Total Placements = 13,292 Total Annualized Earnings = $206,084,814 Estimated State Income Tax Receipts = $8,449,477 Federal Fiscal Year 2005 677 MALONE DISTRICT $10,065,398 $412,681 989 SYRACUSE DISTRICT $15,102,768 $619,213 744 UTICA DISTRICT $11,237,610 $460,742 777 ALBANY DISTRICT $11,533,072 $472,856 1,231 ROCHESTER DISTRICT $17,657,221 $723,946 1,070 MID-HUDSON DISTRICT $16,485,689 $675,913 1,263 BUFFALO DISTRICT $18,074,175 $741,041 533 WHITE PLAINS DISTRICT $8,444,333 $346,218 837 SOUTHERN TIER DISTRICT $10,387,094 $425,871 1,179 MANHATTAN DISTRICT $21,996,306 $901,849 740 BRONX DISTRICT $11,970,541 $490,792 805 BROOKLYN DISTRICT $13,897,301 $569,789 893 HAUPPAUGE DISTRICT $14,650,932 $600,688 682 HEMPSTEAD DISTRICT $10,323,083 $423,246 872 QUEENS DISTRICT $14,259,291 $584,631 7

8. Job Placements for VESID Consumers in Integrated Settings have Declined Since 2003 TOTAL Employment without supports Employment with supports Homemaker/Other 8

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10. Making Money Matter • Since higher standards were adopted in 1996, the number of high school graduates has increased, especially in the past two years - but it is not enough • During this same period, school expenditures increased by more than 60 percent • We can accelerateprogress by ensuring that school districts will use resources efficiently and that students are well educated • We can do this by: • Increase Graduation Rates • Increase student performance growth with academic intervention teams and distinguished educators • Hold Schools Accountable • Provide program staff to meet monitoring requirements for federal and State funding and to drive improvement • Provide audit staff to help ensure resources are used effectively and that data is accurate and reliable • Improving Tools for School Oversight • Develop an Early Warning System to prevent fiscal stress • Develop a State Aid Management System to streamline school funding • Prevent Fraud, Waste and Abuse • Assist school districts with business management and internal controls Requested Resources: An increase of $24.3 million ($65.7million over three years) is necessary to strengthen school accountability 10

11. Technology to Improve Performance Create a New Office of Educational and Academic Technology to Effectively Use Technology to Improve Performance • Education must do what the business community has done: use technology to vastly improve productivity. Technology is being applied to educational curriculum, testing processes, distance learning, professional development, and broadband communication in our educational institutions. The University of the State of New York (USNY) spends considerable money to make this vision of a technology-rich educational environment a reality. The goal is to identify more ways to harness those USNY resources, leverage existing technology, fill in whatever gaps exist and improve educational performance. • A central office within SED is needed to coordinate the ‘mapping’ of the digital capacity of USNY institutions, develop and implement a USNY Technology Policy and Plan, and coordinate Federal and State funding for technology use in the field. The Department is requesting funding for 3 positions for research and additional internal technology ($500,000). 11

12. Committing to Higher Standards • The number of tests administered each year has increased dramatically from 3.72 million in ’97-’98 to an estimated 8.45 million in ’06-’07 • The costs of these exams has risen from $7.6 million in ’97-’98 to $31.5 million in • ’06-’07 • Without support the State’s rigorous • assessment program cannot be sustained • Investing in the quality of the State’s assessment and reporting program will help ensure that our graduates have the skills to compete in a global economy Requested Resources: An increase of $14 million over the current 2006-2007 budget is necessary to maintain current programs and services. 12

13. Regents Priorities for Higher Education • Closing Performance Gaps in Higher Education • Only 43% of Baccalaureate degree-seeking Black and Hispanic students complete their degrees in six years as compared to 65% of White students • Strong Graduate Programs to Meet the State’s Needs • The number of doctoral degrees conferred in New York State in 2004-05 was essentially the same as the number conferred in 1995-96 • An Adequate Supply of Qualified Professionals • The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) projects a shortage of 17,000 RNs in New York State by 2010 13

14. CLOSE THE PERFORMANCE GAP BY ETHNICITY Create an incentive program to provide grants to colleges and universities to help improve their retention and graduation rates - $4.0 million Strengthen proven opportunity programs HEOP An additional $5.5 million for a total of $29.7 million to serve 6,375 FTE Liberty Partnerships An additional $6.1million for a total of $18.125 million to serve over 15,000 students • The annual dropout rate of LPP students is 2%; compared to the statewide rate of over 5%. • Approximately1,590 high school graduates in the LPP go on to postsecondary education institutions each year. • STEP/CSTEP An additional $2.5 million for a total of $21.5 million to serve 12,100 students • In 2003-04, 91% of STEP graduates enrolled in college. • 68% of college-going graduates of the STEP actually pursued careers in math, science, technology, and health in 2003-04. 14

15. Enhance the Teacher Opportunity Corps (TOC) – An additional $1.8 million for a total of $2.5 million to serve 1,384 enrollees • Enhances the preparation of teachers and prospective teachers by helping them address the learning needs of students at risk Encourages historically underrepresented and economically disadvantaged individuals to enter teaching Expandthe Teachers of Tomorrow program to encourage entry-level teacher support programs - $26.0 million • Provide funding to districts with programs enabling veteran skilled teachers to deliver support to novice teachers. • Reduce teacher turnover • Improve teacher quality • Help raise student achievement 15

16. STRENGTHEN GRADUATE EDUCATION Create a competitive doctoral and post-doctoral fellowship program in academic fields where more scholars are needed for research, faculty assignments and/or professional practice. - $4.0 million ENSURE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS Create a grant-based program for colleges and universities to establish professional education opportunity programsto prepare high school and community college students to enter professional education programs - $2.0 million 16

17. Postsecondary Education and Individuals with Disabilities • A high school diploma is no longer sufficient to ensure individuals with disabilities competitive employment • About 50 percent of students with disabilities and 20 percent of individuals with disabilities over the age of 21 are expected to access postsecondary education • The lack of college and university support services for students with disabilities, coupled with physical barrier to full access to campuses, have worked together to deny many potential students the opportunity to pursue a postsecondary education. • This proposal was developed in consultation with representatives of SUNY, CUNY, the independent colleges and universities, and the degree-granting proprietary colleges. • $15.0 million is needed to: • Provide base funding for capacity building. • Support the development of programmatic activities. • Support recruitment programs that establish targets for recruitment of students with disabilities. 17

18. Critical Capacity Needs The Office of Higher Education is requesting funding for a total of 7 positions to ensure that resources are used and maintained in the public interest - $360,000 • College and University Evaluation (3) • Research and Information Services (2) • Collegiate Programs Development (1) • Pre-Collegiate Preparation Programs (1) 18