Public Input Sought on New Regulations Governing Increases in State Aid
Responding to this year's unprecedented $7 billion four-year state school aid increase stemming from the CFE litigation, the New York State Education Department (SED) released this week a working draft outline of regulations governing the Contracts for Excellence.
Responding to this year's unprecedented $7 billion four-year state school aid increase stemming from the CFE litigation, the New York State Education Department (SED) released this week a working draft outline of regulations governing the Contracts for Excellence. Contracts for Excellence have been mandated by the State Legislature as the primary mechanism for ensuring effective use of this major infusion of new funds.
New York City and all other school districts scheduled to receive an increase of at least 10% or $15 million that have at least one underperforming school must enter into the "contract" to provide school level data on how additional funds will be used to support new programs and activities and to demonstrate how these expenditures will achieve positive educational results. Districts must demonstrate that new programs "shall predominantly benefit students with the greatest educational needs, including but not limited to, those students with limited English proficiency, students in poverty and students with disabilities."
The allowable categories of programs and activities under the "contracts for excellence" are:
- Class size reduction
- Programs that increase student time on task
- Teacher and principal quality initiatives
- Middle school and high school restructuring
- Full day kindergarten or pre-k
The draft regulations require districts to provide information on the programs they are implementing, as well as data on the performance indicator being targeted for improvement, a statement of the goals of the performance indicator, and the anticipated cost for the initiative. Read proposed regulations (MS Internet Explorer required).
Districts are required by law to develop their plans through a public process and with input from the full spectrum of school stakeholders. Moreover, transcripts of all public hearings must be attached to all Contacts for Excellence. This year, districts will be required to file their plans through a new web-based system by July 1st.
Feedback on these regulations will be accepted by SED until April 17 via email at emscsom@mail.nysed.gov or by telephone at (518) 474-2238, Monday through Thursday from 9 AM to 7:30 PM.
A revised proposal of the regulations will be issued by April 20 and voted on by the Board of Regents by April 24.
Published Thursday, Apr. 26, 2007