November 2024

Dear Colleagues,

Happy November! As we prepare to celebrate American Education Week later this month, we take a moment to reflect on the transformative power of education and the dedicated educators who make it all possible. Whether through classroom innovation or mentorship, education is at the heart of our collective future.

At the November Board of Regents meeting, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) presented its robust timeline and implementation plan aimed at transforming education in New York, aligning with the recommendations from the Blue Ribbon Commission on Graduation Measures. This initiative, designed to promote greater equity within the education system, is informed by extensive stakeholder engagement, including parents, educators, administrators, school support staff, representatives of higher education, and the business community.

NYSED's implementation plan ensures a comprehensive understanding of the needs and perspectives of various stakeholders and serves as a roadmap for executing the four transformations that stem from the 12 recommendations outlined in the November 2023 Blue Ribbon Commission on Graduation Measures Report. This approach ensures a collaborative and well-supported implementation of the recommendations for our school communities.

To ensure that the proposed changes are implemented effectively, this plan adopts an intentional phased approach that allows for thorough planning, professional learning opportunities, and valuable stakeholder feedback as we transition from our current system.

Any changes to the state's graduation requirements must be approved by the Board of Regents; until then, the existing graduation requirements remain in effect for all public school students in New York.

Learn more about the implementation plan and timeline in our Graduation Measures press release. Additional information is available on our Graduation Measures website.

Finally, this week is National School Psychology Week! New York’s wonderful school psychologists are dedicated to helping students succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. Please be sure to celebrate your school psychologists this week and thank them for their commitment to students and families.



Sincerely,

Betty A. Rosa

Commissioner

November is Native American Heritage Month. To celebrate, the New York State Museum is honoring the cultural heritage, diverse histories, and continuing contributions of Native Peoples.

The Museum created a dedicated Native American Heritage Month web page with many resources to explore, including highlights from the Museum’s collections, featured videos, online exhibitions, educator guides, a list of events happening statewide, and much more. Please take a look at the special programming and educational materials available to help you celebrate Native American Heritage Month with your students.

NYSED is committed to serving all students by offering opportunities for language proficiency in English and other languages. The new Voices United collection from Consider the Source: New York highlights records from the State Archives and State Library relating to advancing English Language Learner civil rights and building pathways to multilingualism.

Consider the Source: New York is a free online learning community that connects educators across New York with valuable primary sources. Find engaging learning activities designed to guide and encourage students to make discoveries using critical thinking skills!

The New York State Museum is now sharing its latest happenings through its revitalized monthly newsletter!

Each month, you can look forward to updates on the Museum's upcoming free public programming, special events, and fascinating exhibits celebrating New York’s rich history and culture. We invite you to explore, engage, and enjoy all that the Museum has to offer.

Subscribe to the NEW newsletter from the New York State Museum. We can’t wait to see you at the Museum!

The 2025 application cycle for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) is now open! Anyone--principals, teachers, parents, students, or members of the general public--may nominate exceptional STEM educators who are currently teaching grades 7-12 for the 2025 award year.

Applications must be completed by February 6, 2025, for teachers in grades 7-12. Elementary teachers (grades K-6) will be eligible to apply during a future cycle.