| News and Notes |
| April 2022 |
| Dear Colleagues, |
 This week, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) awarded nearly $95 million in subgrants to school districts, not-for-profits, institutions of higher education, and other community-focused organizations to establish or expand 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) across the state. The funds will support 136 programs and will be used by the districts and organizations to provide supplemental services and enrichments for students most in need of additional supports. For a full list of school districts and organizations receiving awards, please visit the Department’s website. April is School Library Month, and NYSED launched a social media campaign in appreciation of school library programs, librarians, and other library workers across New York State. Follow along on our social media channels (Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn), where you will also find fun activities and ideas for spring break, in addition to all the latest news and updates from the Department. Finally, it is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Beverly (Bev) Ouderkirk, a member of the New York State Board of Regents. In her more than 50 years in public education, Bev was dedicated to equity for all students and to the North Country educational community. Her legacy of unwavering commitment to young people will live on. |
| Sincerely, Betty A. RosaCommissioner |
| Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Accountability RestartWebinar and Survey |
 NYSED is accepting stakeholder input on possible modifications to the New York State accountability plan for determining school accountability based on results from the 2021-22 school year.An informational webinar and survey will be available until April 29, 2022. The webinar provides an overview of the recent federal accountability waiver restart for the 2021-22 school year under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). All stakeholders are encouraged to view the webinar and complete the related survey. The survey seeks input on the methodology by which schools and districts are identified and the calculation methods used to generate accountability indicators. |
| NYSED, NYSUT Applaud 51 Teachers Who Achieved‘Gold Standard’ National Board Certification |
 NYSED and New York State United Teachers congratulated 51 teachers from across the state who have achieved National Board Certification from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards, the “gold standard” in the education profession.Achieving National Board Certification is extraordinarily challenging. Candidates typically spend 200-400 hours of their own time having their teaching assessed against rigorous standards through extensive performance-based assessments. See the full list of the new National Board Certification awardees. |
| 2022 My Brother’s Keeper Virtual Symposium |
 On Thursday, April 28, and Friday, April 29, 2022, NYSED will host the 2022 New York State My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Virtual Symposium. Hundreds of students, parents, educational leaders, and citizens from across New York State will virtually gather for a two-day symposium on the MBK initiative to help young men of color – and all students – realize their full potential. Board of Regents Chancellor Dr. Lester W. Young, Jr. and State Education Commissioner Dr. Betty A. Rosa will deliver remarks during the April 28th Welcome Session. Keynote addresses will be delivered each day by nationally respected speakers. A webcast will be available on NYSED.gov from 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM on both days. |
| State Education Department Appoints Mary Fox-Alter as State Monitor for the East Ramapo Central School District |
| State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa appointed Mary Fox-Alter as State Monitor for the East Ramapo Central School District. Ms. Fox-Alter will serve as the State’s Academic Monitor and will work with Bruce Singer, who has been the State’s Fiscal Monitor for the District since March 2020. More information on the important work being done by East Ramapo Central School District monitors and on Ms. Fox-Alter’s impressive history as an educator and advocate for students may be found in the full release. |
| Statement from Chancellor Young, the Board of Regents, and Commissioner Rosa on the Confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court |
| The elevation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court is inspirational and a reason for great celebration throughout our nation. We speak often of the need for greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in our schools and throughout society. Today, we see precisely why these ideals are so vitally important. For the first time in our country’s long history, young Black women can see someone who looks like them rising to the very highest level of power and influence. Unsurprisingly, it is Judge Jackson who said it best when she noted that, “as a country, we want everyone to believe that they can do things like sit on the Supreme Court. And so, having meaningful numbers of women, and people of color, on the bench…I think that matters.”Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. reminded us that the arc of the moral universe is long but bends towards justice. Today, that arc has bent a little closer to the justice we all seek in the world. |
| New York State Division of Human Rights Student Art Competition |
 The New York State Division of Human Rights is holding an art competition open to all K-12 students. Young artists of all abilities and talents are encouraged to join this friendly competition where they will interpret one of the themes of their choice below: – What Fair Housing Means to Me/How Fair Housing Improves Communities- Racial Healing: A Way Forward- How Discrimination Feels/Impact of Discrimination (short or long term) – Which NYS Human Rights Law protection is most important to me Additional competition guidelines are available here. Students may enter the contest by completing the entry form by September 9, 2022. |