The New York State Education Department (NYSED) recently launched a new user-friendly website providing updated resources related to New York's Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan. The ESSA website, which features fact sheets, FAQs, and videos, serves as a one-stop shop of information for parents, educators, and others. Resources will be added and amended as they are completed.

New York's ESSA plan is committed to promoting a relationship of trust, cultural responsiveness, and respect between schools and families. A key aspect of that is parent and community involvement. The new ESSA website includes a section specifically for parents, which provides fact sheets; an informational video; information about school climate; support for English language learners and students with disabilities; information about equitable services for nonpublic schools, and more. Our fact sheet for parents is available in 15 languages, and the informational video is available with captions in English and seven additional languages. With these resources, we are building on the work already being done with parents and educators to increase opportunities for all students.

Also, I am happy to share that 25 New York State high school seniors have been nominated for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The Presidential Scholar recognition is one of the nation's highest honors for high school students. Every year, one young man and one young woman from each state are named as Presidential Scholars.

These students have excelled in school and in their communities, and their dedication shows in their amazing accomplishments. Each nominee is a stellar representative of New York's high schools. I thank our legislators for recommending these wonderful students and wish them each luck as they pursue this incredible honor. Congratulations to all the nominees!

I hope you encourage other parents to sign up for our parent email list to receive updates. I appreciate your continued support, and I wish you all the best for a safe, happy, and healthy new year.

 

Sincerely,

 

MaryEllen Elia

Commissioner