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The �鶹���� (�鶹����) is accepting public comment on draft goals and guiding principles to create highly effective schools that prepare students for post-secondary education, careers and life, Commissioner MaryEllen Elia announced today.�� After seeking input from a variety of stakeholders, SED developed draft characteristics for highly effective schools and guiding principles for a public school accountability system to inform development of the state plan that �鶹���� is required by the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to submit to the U.S. Department of Education. ��SED is accepting comments on both draft documents through August 26.

“We want to hear from teachers, parents, administrators, students and other stakeholders every step of the way as we develop New York’s plan to meet the requirements of the Every Student Succeeds Act,” said Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa. ��“Children are the foundation of the future of our state and we need to provide them with the best pathways for a successful life. ��Hearing a broad range of views as we determine what makes a school highly effective will help us do that.”

“Over the past year, I’ve heard time and time again that people want to be part of the conversation when education policy is developed, and now we are asking our partners and the public to do just that,” said State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia. ��“Join the conversation early as we begin to map out our plan to improve New York’s approach to enabling our children to prosper.”

Stakeholder Outreach & Feedback on Draft Goals and Guiding Principles

Under federal law, each state that receives Title I funds is required to convene a Committee of Practitioners to advise the state in carrying out its responsibilities under Title I. ��In New York State, the Committee is comprised of members representing Local Education Agencies (LEAs); Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES); Institutions of Higher Education (IHE); as well as organizations that represent districts, schools, teachers, school and district leaders, school boards,�� paraprofessionals, and both religious and non-religious, non-public schools. �� �� ��

SED sought feedback from the Committee as it developed the draft documents. ��In addition, SED surveyed additional stakeholders as part of the Department’s ESSA Think Tank.�� The Think Tank includes particpants from many stakeholder groups represented on the Committee plus additional groups such as Head Start Programs and the Business Council.�� As part of �鶹����’s broad outreach to individuals representing diverse interests, more than 80 organizations are participating on the ESSA Think Tank.�� The draft documents reflect their feedback.

How to Submit Comments

The draft characteristics for highly effective schools and guiding principles for a public school accountability system can be found on SED’s website at: .

Public comments can be submitted through August 26 at: .�� SED will carefully review all comments received as it develops the final characteristics for highly effective schools and guiding principles for a public school accountability system.

These documents will serve as guidelines for SED as it develops New York State’s plan to meet ESSA requirements. ��SED will provide multiple opportunities for stakeholder and public input before submitting the plan to U.S. Department of Education next year.��