NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network

1. NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network As representatives of statewide middle level education, our purpose is to advocate for middle level needs, inform SED about ML issues, and collaborate with SED on matters that impact Middle Level Education.

2. NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network Report from the Spring 2010 Meetingof theNYS Middle Level Liaisons Network

3. Kenneth G. Slentz Associate Commissioner,District Services Statewide Ira Schwartz Assistant Commissioner, Accountability Laura Smith Assistant Commissioner,External Partnerships and Research Sally Bachofer Executive CoordinatorOffice of Innovative School Models NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network New SED Leadership

4. Standards, curriculum, and instruction: incorporating common standards into NY standards. Make improvements to our assessments. Ensure better curriculum guidance documents that will result in deeper curriculum frameworks. NY is a member of several assessment consortia, with the intent of having an assessment system that makes more sense. NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network SED’s Reform Agenda

5. Data: While the timeliness of data reports has gotten better, it is sort of the goal to develop a comprehensive P-20 system. There are many important data questions that could be answered with such a comprehensive system. The estimated cost of such a system is $120M. They are writing grants to find this money. They are also hoping to build formative assessments that can be used across the state. NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network SED’s Reform Agenda

6. Teachers and Leaders: the goal is to ensure that all children have the best teachers and best leaders possible. They are looking to change the preparatory programs to become more clinical in their nature. Student growth ought to be a part of how we evaluate teachers and leaders. At the next Regents meeting they will discuss the idea of adding student growth to the APPR process. Highly effective, effective, developing, and ineffective will be the categories considered in the APPR discussion. NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network SED’s Reform Agenda

7. Turnarounds: Failing (persistently low achieving) schools can choose from the four options to move forward. Implementing these models is problematic in the affected districts due to contracts. Yet, the USDOE has said that Title 1 money can only go to the failing districts who utilize one of these four options. Most of the failing schools are high schools. NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network SED’s Reform Agenda

8. Drafts of grade-level Common Core Standards for math and ELA are out. Input is being sought by SED or you can submit feedback directly to Common Core. These standards will become at least 85% of our new state standards. July or August adoption of the common core standards by the Regents (timeline dictated by the RTTP application). The CI&IT Department of SED has a collection (toolkit) of information and resources about the Common Core Standards. NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network National Common Core Standards

9. A revised rubric has just been released that can be used to evaluate library media centers and programs. The rubric is available in several formats at the SED website. There are three main sections of the rubric: Teaching and learning Building the learning environment Empowering learning through leadership NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network School Library MediaProgram Evaluation

10. Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), is an important part of the program at Merton Williams Middle School in Hilton, NY, a recent EE:STW. Rather than a program, it’s about a positive and proactive approach to student management. PBIS is like a big unit plan for teaching behavior in a school. NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS)

11. We are all facing a number of challenges due to the fiscal situation. It is a good idea to be armed with research and regulation when discussing the impacts of the budget in schools and districts. NMSA has research about the middle-level that might be helpful. Also, use CR 100.4 in your discussions. The next Research at a Glance column in In Transition will also point out resources to inform the discussions. Presentation NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network Difficult Times

12. Remember these documents and regulations: Regents Policy Statement Essential Elements CR 100.4 Three Models NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network Difficult Times

13. Special ed certification will be changing Relief of middle level certification possible via emergency action in April NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network Teacher Certification

14. Lakeland Copper Beech Middle School Yorktown Heights, NY – Principal: Jean Miccio Merton Williams Middle SchoolHilton, NY – Principal: Carol Stehm Bay Trail Middle SchoolPenfield, NY – Principal: Winton Buddington North Salem Middle School – RedesignatedNorth Salem, NY – Principal: – Patricia Cyganovich NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network Essential Elements:Schools-to-Watch New Class!

15. Hugo Newman College Prep School PS/IS 180New York, NY – Principal: Peter MacFarlane Carrie Palmer Weber MSPort Washington, NY – Principal Marilyn Rodahan Van Wyck Junior High SchoolWappingers Falls, NY – Principal: Steven Shuchat NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network RISING Essential Elements:Schools-to-Watch New Class!

16. What middle-level programs are supposed to do in NYS Research based Required by Commissioner's Regulation: “districts shall ensure that the middle-level program is aligned with the Regents policy statement on middle-level education and the State Education Department's essential elements of standards-focused middle-level schools and programs” Go to nysmsa.org “Middle Level Essentials” to learn more and view resources NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network Essential Elements

17. NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network As representatives of statewide middle level education, our purpose is to advocate for middle level needs, inform SED about ML issues, and collaborate with SED on matters that impact Middle Level Education.