Education & Human Services News April 30, 2019
Headlines
OCFS Creates Division of Youth Development and Partnerships for Success
The Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) announced the creation of a new division in recognition of the need to enhance the focus on older youth and young adults who are involved with the child welfare and youth justice systems, or are at risk of becoming involved. The Division of Youth Development and Partnerships for Success will be responsible for overseeing youth development initiatives and services for runaway and homeless youth, the OCFS Youth Advisory Board, educational and vocational advocacy, detention programs, the Close to Home initiative in New York City, human trafficking, and the LGBTQ community. Dr. Nina Aledort has been appointed deputy commissioner for this new division.
New York State Education Department Launches Interactive Online FAFSA Tracker
The State Education Department launched a new online tool to track completion rates for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) submissions that will provide schools and districts with information to encourage and assist students with completing and filing the FAFSA form. The New York State FAFSA Tracker allows users to view the overall number of completed applications for high schools across the state and compare them with their peers. Users are also able to view application progress trends year-to-year or review weekly, monthly and year-to-date rankings of schools.
2019 Justice Center Code of Conduct Recognition Award
The Justice Center is seeking nominations for the 2019 Justice Center Code of Conduct Recognition Award to recognize the dedicated women and men who provide support to people with special needs throughout New York State. The Code of Conduct for Custodians of People with Special Needs provides a framework for assisting people with special needs “live self-directed, meaningful lives in their communities, free from abuse and neglect, and protected from harm.” The purpose of this award is to recognize those staff members who demonstrate a strong commitment to the provisions of the Code of Conduct. The deadline for submission is Friday, July 12, 2019.
New York State Register
Registration Requirements for School Counselor Programs and Certification Requirements for School Counselors
The State Education Department has issued a notice of proposed rule making to amend requirements for registered school counselor programs and the certification requirements for school counselors. Public comment will be received for 60 days.
Extension of the EdTPA Safety Net for Candidates
The State Education Department has issued a notice of proposed rule making to extend the edTPA safety net for candidates who receive a failing score on the library specialist edTPA from September 30, 2019 to December 31, 2021. The safety net enables candidates to be held harmless during the handbook revision process. Public comment will be received for 60 days.
Requiring Study in Language Acquisition and Literacy Development of English Language Learners
The State Education Department has issued a notice of proposed rule making to require study in language acquisition and literacy development of English language learners in certain teacher preparation programs. The purpose of these regulations is to ensure that newly certified teachers enter the workforce fully prepared to serve the state’s ELL population. Public comment will be received for 60 days.
Extension of the Educational Technology Specialist Content Specialty Test Safety Net
The State Education Department has issued a notice of emergency adoption and proposed rule making to extend the safety net for candidates seeking certification as Educational Technology Specialists until six months after the revised Educational Technology Specialist content specialty test is redeveloped and operational. The safety net will hold candidates harmless during the redevelopment of the Educational Technology Specialist CST. The safety net gives teacher candidates who do not pass the revised test the option of taking the same test again or the predecessor test. Because the current safety net expires on June 30, 2019, emergency action is necessary. Public comment will be received for 60 days.
Assessments and Student Official Transcripts and Permanent Records
The State Education Department has issued a notice of emergency adoption and revised rule making to timely implement the provisions of section 30 of Part YYY of the 2019-2020 Enacted State Budget (S.1509-C/A.2009-C) which removes the sunset and makes the following provision regarding assessments and student official transcripts permanent:
“No school district or BOCES may place or include on a student’s official transcript or maintain in a student’s permanent record any individual student score on a State administered standardized English language arts or mathematics assessment for grades three through eight, provided that nothing herein shall be construed to interfere with required State or federal reporting or to excuse a school district from maintaining or transferring records of such test scores separately from a student’s permanent record, including for purposed of required State or federal reporting. Public comment will be received for 45 days.”
To Implement New York State’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Plan
The State Education Department has issued a notice of adoption to implement NY’s USDE-approved ESSA plan including regulations that:
- relate to the enrollment of youth released or conditionally released from residential facilities;
- relate to requirements for the New York State report card for schools and districts;
- clarifies that the section which contains provisions relating to implementation of New York’s approved ESEA flexibility waiver, only applies to accountability designations made prior to July 1, 2018, except as otherwise provided in the new section;
- clarifies that Failing Schools means schools that have been identified as Priority Schools and/or Comprehensive Support and Improvement Schools (CSI) for at least three consecutive years;
- implements the new accountability and support and interventions of the State’s approved ESSA plan commencing with the 2018-2019 school year; and
- updates provisions in the existing regulations pertaining to the sunsetting of No Child Left Behind requirements regarding highly qualified teachers and provide for the continuation under ESSA of provisions pertaining to persistently dangerous schools and unsafe school choice and updates to public school choice provisions.
No substantive changes were made to the regulations published on December 26, 2018 and October 3, 2018.
Students with Disabilities
The State Education Department has issued a notice of adoption to conform the Commissioner’s regulations to Chapters 422, 428 and 429 of the Laws of 2017 in relation to referrals to state adult service agencies for certain students with disabilities who have reached the age of 18; and establishing that all school districts are approved evaluators of preschool students suspected of having a disability. No changes were made to the regulations published on October 3, 2018.
Student Teaching Requirements for Teacher Certification and the Registration of Teacher Preparation Programs
The State Education Department has issued a notice of adoption to amend the student teaching requirements for teacher certification and registered teacher education programs. No changes were made to the regulations published on December 26, 2018.
Legislative Spotlight
Chapter Amendment- TAP and College Closures
Both houses passed a chapter amendment (A.5500/S.4121) to Chapter 400 of the laws of 2018 to change the eligibility for Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) funds for students who must transfer to another institution as a result of a permanent college closure. The bill allows up to two additional semesters of TAP to the extent credits necessary to complete his or her program of study were deemed non-transferable from the closed institution, or were deemed not applicable to such student’s program of study by the new institution.
The DREAM Act
The Governor signed into law the DREAM Act (A.782/S.1250) which allows students without lawful immigration status to access New York State’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), Excelsior Scholarship program, Enhanced Tuition Awards (ETA) program, and numerous other grant, scholarship, and loan programs. The DREAM Act also provides that these students qualify for in-State tuition rates at SUNY, CUNY, and community colleges.
The DREAM Act will take effect ninety days after the Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) issues regulations and publishes an application form. Due to a chapter amendment agreed upon during the State budget negotiations, the enacted version of the DREAM Act does not provide for establishment of a DREAM Fund Commission as contemplated by Senator Peralta’s original bill.
Decoupling Test Scores from Teacher and Principal Evaluations
The Governor signed into law a bill (S.1262/A.783) that eliminates the mandatory use of grades three through eight English language arts and mathematics state assessments and all other state-created or administered tests in teacher or principal evaluations pursuant to Annual Professional Performance Reviews (APPR). Additionally this law requires the Commissioner of State Education Department to promulgate regulations for alternative assessments that may be used to determine a teacher or principal’s evaluation in place of the state-created or administered tests. The selection and use of an assessment in a teacher or principal’s evaluation must be subject to collective bargaining agreements. This law took effect immediately.
Funding Opportunities
NYS Homeland Security and Emergency Services announces the availability of funding will be awarded to support target hardening activities to nonprofit organizations (as described under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code) that are at high risk of terrorist attack due to their ideology, beliefs, or mission. The program seeks to integrate nonprofit preparedness activities with broader state and local preparedness efforts. It is also designed to promote coordination and collaboration in emergency preparedness activities among public and private community representatives, as well as State and local government agencies.
Due May 8, 2019
SNAP Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention (SNAP-Ed) II
The NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) announces the availability of funding for the provision of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Program (SNAP-Ed) activities targeted to adults and youth eligible for and/or receiving SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp program. The purpose of this Request for Proposal is two-fold. OTDA seeks to secure the services of eligible organizations that can assist OTDA in addressing the nutrition needs of food insecure populations at-risk of obesity-related chronic disease through the provision of Direct Services. OTDA will award multiple contracts for the Direct Services component of the SNAP-Ed program. In addition, OTDA seeks proposals for one entity to provide statewide Technical Assistance, including but not limited to reporting, program evaluation, training and statewide social marketing for its SNAP-Ed Program.
Due May 24, 2019
The New York State Education Department (NYSED) Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages (OBEWL) is seeking proposals for the creation of a Clinically-Rich Intensive Teacher Institute (CR-ITI) in Bilingual Education (BE) and/or English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, addressing the shortage of certified bilingual and ESOL teachers throughout New York State (NYS).
Due June 6, 2019
Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) for Students with Disabilities
Pre-Employment Transition Services for Students with Disabilities will result in contracts for a five (5) year project beginning on January 1, 2020 and ending December 31, 2024. Eligible applicants are not-for-profit and community-based organizations that provide services to students with disabilities; community rehabilitation programs; independent living centers; institutions of higher education; New York State public school districts, approved in-State private schools for students with disabilities, Special Act School Districts, (see link below), State supported schools and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES). Eligible applicants must apply individually.
Due June 10, 2019
Solutions to End Homelessness Program (STEHP)
The goal of STEHP is to assist individuals and families to prevent the eviction process, remain in or obtain permanent housing, and/or assist them with supportive services during their experience of homelessness. OTDA intends to support comprehensive programs that are designed to: assist individuals living on the street with outreach services; help maintain and improve the quality of emergency and transitional shelters and drop-in centers for homeless individuals and families; help meet the costs of operating such programs; provide comprehensive supportive services aimed at housing stabilization; provide rapid re-housing services (obtaining a permanent living situation); and/or provide eviction prevention assistance to individuals and families. OTDA intends to support programs which are coordinated with Continuum of Care efforts.
Due June 14, 2019
Family Support Services Request for Proposal Hudson Valley Westchester
The Hudson Valley Developmental Disabilities Regional Office (DDRO), Region 3 and the Hudson Valley DDRO Family Support Services (FSS) Advisory Council of Westchester County are pleased to announce the availability of funding to provide supports and services to families that care for a family member with a developmental disability living at home in Westchester County. The goal of family support services is to assist families to remain intact for as long as they desire and avoid unnecessary out of home placement.
Due July 16, 2019
Request for Proposals Rockland, Orange, Sullivan Family Support Services
The Hudson Valley Developmental Disabilities Regional Office (DDRO), Region 3 and the Hudson Valley DDRO Family Support Services (FSS) Advisory Council of Rockland, Orange, and Sullivan Counties are pleased to announce the availability of funding to provide supports and services to families that care for a family member with a developmental disability living at home in Rockland, Orange, and Sullivan counties. The goal of family support services is to assist families to remain intact for as long as they desire and avoid unnecessary out of home placement.
Due July 16, 2019
Coming Up
The NYS Board of Regents will meet on May 6-7, 2019.
The State Education Department announced the following State Board Meetings:
- Public Accountancy: May 1, 2019 (New York City)
- Clinical Laboratory Technology: May 3, 2019 (Albany)
- Veterinary Medicine: May 3, 2019 (New York City, Albany, Buffalo, Syracuse and Rochester, via video)
- Professional Engineering, Land Surveying & Geology: June 7, 2019 (Saratoga Springs)
The Senate Standing Committee on Transportation will hold a public hearing on May 2, 2019 to discuss limo and bus safety. The hearing will be held in Albany, NY.
The Assembly Standing Committee on Education will hold a public hearing on May 10, 2019 to discuss specialized high schools. The hearing will be held in Albany, NY.
The Senate Standing Committee on Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities will hold a public hearing on May 22, 2019 to discuss the general operations of the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs. The hearing will be held in Albany, NY.
The Senate Standing Committee on Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities and the Senate Standing Committee on Health will hold a public hearing on June 4, 2019 to dicuss suicide and suicide prevention. The hearing will be held in Albany, NY.
The New York State Justice Center will be holding five regional conferences across New York State beginning May 22 (Albany), and continuing on June 24 (New Hampton), July 26 (Hamburg), October 4 (Syracuse), and October 24 (Brooklyn).