NYS Middle Level Summit… Collaboratively Moving the Ball Forward

Why hold a middle-level education Summit in New York State?  Important Dates 1988 First Regents Middle-Level Policy Statement (20 years ago) 2003 Current Regents Middle-Level Policy Statement (5 years ago) 2003 Adoption of the Middle-Level Essential Elements (5 years ago)

Focusing on implementation issues:  Was this material formally and consistently distributed to all of New York State’s middle-level practitioners?  Were all middle-level practitioners formally informed that they are now required to implement both the Regents Policy Statement and the Essential Elements?  Was there a statewide, high-visibility campaign aimed at informing communities in all regions of the state that set expectations for significant positive change in the schools and programs that impact young adolescents?

Focusing on implementation issues: (cont.)  Do we know if teacher education programs across the state have appropriately imbedded the Policy Statement and the Essential Elements in teacher education programs and if these programs effectively evaluate achievement in these espoused middle-level directions?  Since the adoption of the Essential Elements, has there been a consistent effort to ensure that the BOCES and local school districts provide appropriate ongoing in-service education programs that focus on implementation of this SED policy and the Essential Elements?  Is there a process in place aimed at assisting school administrators and teachers to evaluate their respective building-wide and classroom programs with regard to what is and what should be, and then work through an appropriate process to come into compliance with New York State policy and Regulation?

 Should all New York State Educators and parents of young adolescents know that all middle-level educators and school programs for young adolescents are required to follow the controlling middle- level policy of the Board of Regents and related SED Regulations?  This, of course, includes the fact that the Essential Elements are included in the adopted regulations of the Commissioner.

Some things that we can probably agree on...  “We” have known for a long time what constitutes a quality middle-level education program both in a school and in a classroom.  What constitutes a quality middle-level education program in both a school and classrooms is well defined in New York State policy and in SED’s required Essential Elements.  We know from research and from the EE:STW program that when the Essential Elements are applied in a school with fidelity, that the result is a high level of measurable achievement for students, including in disaggregated groups.

Some additional things that we can probably agree on...  Current NYS middle-level assessment results likely reflect the fact that many schools with middle-level grades probably haven’t made great strides/effort in instituting SED’s Essential Elements. Research demonstrates that inconsistent application of the concepts presented in the Essential Elements/best practices will likely result in poor assessment results. (Felner)  There is a need for a strong, coordinated, sustained initiative that is aimed at the comprehensive implementation of the Regents Middle-Level Policy and the Essential Elements beginning with awareness.

What is not the purpose of the Summit  To determine what constitutes a quality middle-level program or best instructional methods. (That is already done and the program is now in policy and regulation.)  To determine what can’t be done.  To find any kind of fault or criticism.

Why a Summit?  To bring about the full implementation of the policy statement and the Essential Elements in all NYS middle- level schools and programs.  To add needed capacity to fully implement the policy and Essential Elements through a collaborative, cooperative, hands-on effort involving all of the stakeholder groups willing to share expertise, resources, and take responsibility for specific objectives that will move the ball forward.  To determine exactly what needs to be done by when and then have organizations volunteer to take the lead to cause the implementation of each of these components.  To set in place a process to maintain and update the timeline, evaluate accomplishments on an on-going basis, and make progress reports to the community at large.

NYSMSA’s Role in the Summit  NYSMSA stepped up to the plate to fill a leadership role that was open.  NYSMSA has taken responsibility for managing the operation of the Summit and meeting administrative needs relating to the commitments that flow from the Summit.  The Summit is organized to be a collaborative effort. No one organization will be superior to any other organization when it comes to decision-making.

Who will be invited to participate:  All New York State education-related professional organizations, appropriate governmental organizations including SED, the NYSPTA, corporate America, the press, NMSA, the AMA and other similar service organizations, etc.

Where and When: Legislative Office Building (LOB), Albany NY Wednesday and Thursday, August 20 – 21, 2008