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 Fall 2010 Meeting of the NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network

3. Accountability The new accountability statuses were released by the state. They used the pervious cut points to determine accountability levels. If they used the new points, only 28% of schools would have met AYP! To avoid this there are three options: –Significantly increase student achievement –Reset the AMOs –Employ a growth model A growth model for school accountability is under development. NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network

4. APPR and 3012-c The Regents Task Force is working on draft regulations that are due to the Commissioner in March. These are the four “types” of situations they are working through: –Teachers of Grades 4-8 ELA and math (two points of information) –Teachers who have one state assessment (they are looking to see if different exams in different subject can work) –Teachers below grade 4 –Teachers with no state assessment NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network

5. Common Core State Standards Drafts of NY’s 15% addition to the Common Core State Standards for ELA have been posted for comment. Drafts of NY’s 15% addition to the Common Core State Standards for mathematics have been posted for comment. There is a survey tool that is collecting comments until November 29th. NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network

6. Common Core State Standards Board of Regents for their review prior to acting on a new set of P-12 Mathematics Learning Standards in January 2011. Curriculum models will be developed that will be content-specific, spiraled, and will include sample tasks. For now, models will be optional. NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network

7. Assessment For 3-8 assessments, they raised cut scores for Level 2 and Level 3 Proficiency. For the future tests, they have included 25 to 30 percent more tested performance indicators on the math assessment and added audit items. They will test more new performance indicators, and make test items more difficult to predict. NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network

8. Assessment For Regents exams they are considering changing the scales from 1-100 points to a system like that used for the 3-8 assessments. This would allow greater alignment in theP-20 data system. NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network

9. Assessment Budget shortfalls continue in the Regents Examination System. Either they will receive additional funding from the legislature, continue to cut back on examinations and translations, or impose a tax on school districts to pay for the Regents exams (there are several different methodologies under consideration for this). NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network

10. Assessment The purpose of the under-development PARCC assessments for high school (2014-2015) is to improve accountability and teaching and learning by measuring students’ college and career readiness. NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network

11. Teaching Standards A DRAFT of Teaching Standards has been written. These are being handed off to the Regents Task Force for incorporation into their work on the 3012-c process. Rubrics could be expected for the performance indicators. There are several groups working on rubrics in parallel. NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network

12. Teaching Standards The Task Force is scheduled to make recommendations to the Commissioner in March. Draft regulations are due out for comment in April with adoption in June for July implementation. In the future, these Teaching Standards will be used with pre-service teachers, examinations (including performance pieces), and certification. NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network

13. Essential Elements: Schools-to-Watch The Middle Level Liaisons have been an integral part of the Essential Elements: Schools-to-Watch (EE:STW) program, from paper review to site visits to applying to the program. 6th cohort is under review now. Applications for the 7th cohort are due July 15th, 2011. NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network

14. Essential Elements: Schools-to-Watch Another myth is that a school which applies but is not recognized is a bad school. Not true; schools not selected are typically very good schools that just need a little more time to demonstrate sustainability. Or, a school must have just a few things in need of attention. NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network Myth- Busting!

15. Essential Elements: Schools-to-Watch Another myth is that there is a fee to apply. Again, not true. There is no fee to apply. Schools that are recognized, however, are expected to attend some conferences and open their doors to visitors. NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network Myth- Busting!

16. Essential Elements: Schools-to-Watch The myth that the National Forum criteria are different than the New York State criteria is also untrue. Actually, they are organized differently but are, in essence, the same. NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network Myth- Busting!

17. Best Practices The NYS Middle School Association is continuing to collect best practices in middle level education. More, however, are needed. A hard copy of the practices is in the works, as well as an electronic format. “No school has it all figured out, but almost all schools have something figured out.” Let’s collect these practices. NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network

18. Best Practices It is not the intention to jury submissions, but rather to collect and share ideas. A new automated process has been developed to expedite the collection of best practices. Simply visit the form to submit.visit the form NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network

19. Indicators of Success The research has shown that there are several indicators in grades 6-9 that predicted drop-out which were defined as being “off-track” with attendance (less than 80%), behavior (low level), academic achievement in math and English (grades, not state tests). Failing ELA in the 6th grade predicts a 20% drop in potential graduation. Course failure is the critical indicator, not test scores. NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network

20. Graduation Requirements The Board of Regents (and SED) are considering a revision of graduation requirements. The Regents are considering the addition of requirements including an additional science course, additional math course, and a college and career readiness credit (CET course, college course, or advanced course). NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network

21. Graduation Requirements They are also talking about increasing the score on Regents exams that will be required to pass those Regents which are connected to college readiness (an ELA and math Regents). Recommendations to lengthen the school year are also being discussed (this would take legislative action). They have recognized that more stringent requirements could result in lower graduation rates in high-need, low- resourced communities. NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network

22. Graduation Requirements Greater flexibility in courses in middle school could be included. For example: –Allowing students to begin fulfilling graduation requirements in grades 6 and 7 –Allowing students to take additional courses in the core subjects to postpone taking one for more of their non-core classes until high school –Allowing schools to use advanced curriculum models in middle school (not sure what this means) –Allowing schools to offer integrated courses (such as STEM) or interdisciplinary courses NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network

23. Graduation Requirements Virtual learning has been a focus of the department, trying to figure out how to increase the opportunities for this avenue. A draft of policy guidelines for online learning was circulated this fall.draft of policy guidelines for online learning The intent is to use guidance documents rather than policy change to govern online learning (if possible). NYS Middle Level Liaisons Network

24. 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.