Dear Colleagues,

What a difference a school year makes! Educators who gathered for the Network Team Institute in May talked about the transformation in teaching and learning this year across New York State. They say we've turned a corner with Common Core Learning Standards, with strong evidence of teacher collaboration and positive outcomes for students. Thanks to your hard work, Common Core instruction is happening in classrooms across the state.

Thank you for all of the hard work you have put in to make this a successful school year. Have a great summer.

Sincerely,

John B. King, Jr.

Commissioner

Follow me on Twitter @JohnKingNYSED

In Spring 2014, New York State administered the first Regents Examinations in Algebra I (Common Core) and English Language Arts (Common Core) intended to provide students, families, educators, and the public measures of student proficiency that directly link to the knowledge and skills students need to succeed in college and careers. You can now access a representative sample of the questions used on the Spring 2014 Regents Examinations in Algebra I (Common Core) and English Language Arts (Common Core), which have been annotated to display the kinds of analysis students are required to do in this new exam. In addition to the annotated questions, you will also find the released Spring 2014 exam booklets, scoring key and rating guides, and conversion charts. These documents will be helpful for better understanding the requirements of the Regents Examinations in Algebra I (Common Core) and English Language Arts (Common Core).

In May 2014, a group of fourth grade students visited State Museum archaeologists at a dig site at Million Dollar Beach in Lake George. State Museum archaeologists were working at the site to conduct archaeological investigations in advance of a construction project.

The archaeologists uncovered archaeological remains dating back to approximately 8,000 B.C and shared some of the artifacts they found with the students. Board of Regents member James Dawson, State Museum Director Mark Schaming and State Archaeologist Christina Rieth met with the students as they learned about the importance of preserving history.

This week, the New York State Education Department released high school graduation rates for the 2009 cohort (students who entered 9th grade in 2009). While the overall statewide graduation rate increased to 74.9 percent from the previous year's 74 percent, large achievement gaps remain, particularly with respect to the Regents with Advanced Designation diploma, which requires the completion of additional rigorous course work in preparation for college and careers. The groups at biggest risk of falling into this gap are black and Hispanic males in large city schools.

For the first time, the Department released the graduation rate for students once identified as English Language Learner (ELL) and previously served by bilingual and English as a Second Language programs. For the 2009 cohort, such students graduated at a rate of 71 percent, much closer to the overall population than that of current ELLs who graduated at a rate of 31 percent. Such data demonstrate that when ELLs are provided with high quality programs they are able to achieve success comparable to their non-ELL peers.

Read the full press release for more information.