New+York+State+Regents+Reform;+What+Does+it+Means+for+You

=New York State Regents Reform: What Might it Mean for You?=

At the last Tully School Board meeting, Regents reform was discussed.

The school's website, tullyschools.org has the powerpoint delivered by state officials featured on its website. However, the powerpoint is filled with obfuscatory and confusing language, and it's very difficult to figure out what the state may actually be proposing. So, the Knight Times has dissected the powerpoint in order to tell you what you may actually be experiencing in the future!

Increasing Teacher Effectiveness
The state's presentation emphasized the important role that teachers play in student success. The presentation stated, like this was a new discovery, that "An effective teacher is the most important aspect of student learning." Frankly, I suspect that most students have known this for years, but in any case, the state has apparently caught on. It offers many graphs and statistics "proving" that a good teacher will substantially improve any student's achievement, but is vague on the details of __//how//__ it plans to increase teacher effectiveness. However, several important suggestions were presented.

This is extremely significant. It would constitute a major change in the current system, in which tenured teachers are safe from termination unless they commit extremely drastic acts. Under the proposed system, even tenured teachers could be much more easily removed.
 * Both tenured, non-tenured teachers, and principals would be evaluated annually, receiving a rating of "Ineffective," "Devoloping," "Effective," and "Highly Effective."
 * The presentation was vague on who exactly would be evaluating these educators.
 * Two consecutive ratings of "Ineffective" would suggest the possibility that these teachers or principals could be removed or fired.
 * Teachers and principals who mentor newer teachers, or teacher rated "Ineffective," "Developing" or "Effective" would be paid supplementary fees.

Making ALL Students College and Career Ready

The powerpoint uses this statement repeatedly, though at the recent school board meeting, board members were divided over whether the phrase "All students" referred to even the most severely handicapped and challenged students. However, despite the disagreements on wording, the presentation did offer several concrete suggestions to increase student achievement. Listed below are several purported reforms, which have been proposed by the state but not yet approved. 1. A career and technical education course. 2. A college course 3. An Advanced Placement or (IB) course.
 * All students would be required to take 4 years of Math
 * All students would be required to take 4 years of Science
 * A "college and career ready" credit would be required. This could be obtained by taking either:
 * All students would be required to pass a second Math Regents
 * The passing grade on the English Regents would be increased (possibly to 75%)
 * The passing grade on the Math Regents would be increased (possibly up to 80%)
 * The school day or the school year could be extended.

No More Local Diploma?
Additionally discussed at the Board Meeting was the state's proposition to phase out the Local Diploma (a non-Regents diploma). The powerpoint acknowledges this plan, but states that the Local Diploma may still remain an option for students with disabilities. Additionally students with disabilities may be able to have some of the above requirements waived.)