NYSED

The New York State Department of Education (NYCDOE) has developed a new IEP form, Meeting Notices for preschool and school-aged students, and Prior Written Notice, which will be used in all NY school districts by the start of the 2011 school year.

New York State has won a $700,000,000 grant as one of ten Phase 2 grantees in the U.S. Department of Education's Race to the Top competition.

A major reorganization at the New York State Education Department (NYSED), announced last week, will merge Special Education with General Education from preschool through high school beginning July 1, 2010. 

This is a very significant shift in policy and structure, one that will certainly have profound consequences for all students -- especially those with disabilities.

Mariko, Jean, Nina, and Kim Sweet from AFC joined me to represent Manhattan and the Bronx in  Albany and Saratoga Springs last week at meetings of the other 11 State Parent Centers, the NY State Department of Education (NYSED), and a variety of academic and educational Technical Assistance organizations working to improve educational outcomes for students with special needs.

I just returned from a 2-day meeting in Albany called “On the Same Page: A Summit for Family Engagement in Education”.  This state-wide initiative, which is beginning its second year, brings together parents, educators, state and local officials, technical assistance providers, and community organizations to develop and recommend policies to the New York State Regents about improving outcomes for students through more effective engagement of families in schools.