New York ESSA Resources

New York State Education Department
89 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12234 | Phone: (518) 474-3852
Website: http://www.nysed.gov/

Office of Accountability – Ira Schwartz, Assistant Commissioner
New York State Education Department

55 Hanson Place, Room 400, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Tel.: (718) 722-2797 | Fax: (718) 722-4559

89 Washington Avenue, Room 528M EB, Albany, NY 12234
Tel.: (518) 474-5923 | Fax: (518) 474-7948

Accountability, Policy and Administration – Dr. Lisa Long, Supervisor
55 Hanson Place, Room 445C, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Tel.: (718) 722-4553 | Fax: (718) 722-2215

Email accountinfo@nysed.gov regarding: School Registration, Data Inquiries, High Performing Schools and Internships

District and School Review – Mr. Stephen Earley, Director
Email DTSDEreviews@nysed.gov for inquiries about the School and District Review process.  Inquiries by mail should be addressed to 55 Hanson Place, Room 400B, Brooklyn, NY 11217.

Email DTSDEtraining@nysed.gov for inquiries about Focus District Institutes and other training-related questions. To reach us via phone, please call the numbers below:

Upstate School and District Review
Tel.: (518) 474-5923 | Fax: (518) 474-7948

Downstate School and District Review
Tel.:(718) 722-4553 | Fax: (718) 722-4559

Questions/comments regarding DCIPS/SCEPS should be directed to: fdip@nysed.gov
Questions/comments regarding 1003(a) grants should be directed to: siga@nysed.gov
Questions/comments regarding Focus District requirements should be directed to: accountinfo@nysed.gov

Logistics: Sandra Herndon (Doris Hill-Wyley) Downstate Review: Crystal Cumberbatch Upstate Review: Mary Sapp Calibration: Lisa Long

Metrics – TBA

Office in Albany
89 Washington Avenue, Room 528M EB, Albany, NY 12234
Tel: (518) 474-5923 | Fax: (518) 474-7948
Office in New York City
55 Hanson Place, Room 414, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Tel: 718-722-4553 | Fax: 718-722-2215

Title I School and Community Services – Mrs. Maxine Meadows-Shuford, Director
89 Washington Avenue, Room 320 EB, Albany, NY 12234
Tel.: (518) 473-0295 | Fax: (518) 486-1762

  • Email regarding:
    • Consolidated Application Update: CONAPPTA@NYSED.GOV
    • Focus District Improvement Plans (DCIP/SCEP/SPSE): fdip@nysed.gov
    • School Improvement Grant 1003(a): SIGA@NYSED.GOV
    • Supplemental Educational Services (SES): emscses@nysed.gov
    • Neglected & Delinquent (N&D): nd@nysed.gov
    • School Improvement Grant 1003(g): SIG@NYSED.GOV

Complaints: Complaints may be filed with the New York State Education Department (NYSED).  In order to ensure that your complaint/grievance is thoroughly and quickly reviewed, please follow the appropriate complaint procedures.

Feedback: All general inquiries, feedback on this site or any changes you would like to see, should be sent to accountinfo@nysed.gov unless another email is listed above.

NNPA Publications in Your Area

Buffalo Criterion

New American of New York

New York Daily Challenge

Paterson Passaic Daily Challenge

The Westchester County Press

N.Y.C. Program Aimed at Diversifying Elite High Schools Comes Up Short

EDUCATIONAL WEEK — A program meant to diversify New York City’s infamously segregated specialized high schools failed to admit representative numbers of black and Hispanic students this school year, figures released last week by district officials show.

Racial discrimination lawsuit filed against Bronx private school

NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS — A student at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School, a K-12 private school in the Bronx, announced that he and his parents filed a lawsuit against the institution Monday, April 1, in United States District Court, Southern District of New York, with the demand that the Head of the School Jessica L. Bagby and other administrators resign or be terminated.

A New Year’s Resolution for Children in New York: School Improvement

AMSTERDAM NEWS — If we want to improve education outcomes and strengthen our state, we need to improve our schools and assure that every child has access to a high-quality education, no matter their zip code or the color of their skin.

Dual-Language Learning: 6 Key Insights for Schools

EDUCATION WEEK — For decades, two factors drove the demand for dual-language education: a desire to preserve native languages and recognition that dual-language learning can boost overall achievement for English-language learners.

Westchester Community College Adds Members

HUDSON VALLEY PRESS — Elizabeth Lugones has been selected as the student representative to the college’s Board of Trustees. Her goal is to graduate from the college with a degree in Engineering Science and then move on to a master’s program before entering the industry.

Common adopts an NYC classroom, presents $10k to school

AMSTERDAM NEWS — Grammy winning recording-artist and Oscar winning actor, Common, took a break from his busy schedule to surprise the students of PS 111 in New York City.

600 Students Awarded Diplomas at Vassar

HUDSON VALLEY PRESS — Vassar diploma candidates are all smiles just prior to the start of Sunday morning’s 154th Annual Commencement ceremony.

Scholarship Awards Recognizes 11 Students

HUDSON VALLEY PRESS — Ramirez, the CEO of R & M Promotions as well as the Director of the Latino High School Scholarship Fund, has been diligently following his own people tip for much of his life- particularly with area youth-for over 20 years with the creation of the Hudson Valley Latino High School Scholarship Awards program.

State Restrictions on School Choice Earn Betsy DeVos’ Ire – Education Week

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, who has had difficulty selling her school choice agenda in Washington, railed against state constitutional prohibitions on public funds going to faith-based institutions, in a recent speech to a Roman Catholic organization. The target of DeVos’ wrath: so-called “Blaine” amendments to state constitutions that prohibit public funds from being used for religious purposes. DeVos said those amendments, many of which originated in the late 1800s, began as “bigoted” against Catholics.

SUNY Orange Celebrates Record Number of Grads

HUDSON VALLEY PRESS — Speakers at SUNY Orange’s 68th Commencement ceremony on Thursday evening (May 17) emboldened the more than 500 attending graduates to “build” a brighter future for themselves and their community, “step” briskly into that new future, and positively “influence” those with whom they come in contact.

Seniors Recognized for Academic Skill, Dedication

HUDSON VALLEY PRESS — NEWBURGH – With graduation only a few days away, Mount Saint Mary College seniors were recognized for their dedication to academics and the campus community.

The New School launches Digital Equity Lab

THE AMSTERDAM NEWS — The New School launched the Digital Equity Laboratory, a project-based center that identifies and supports strategies to transform how technology is understood and used to drive racial, gender and economic equity and disrupt the use of technology to produce and reproduce inequity in our social, economic and civic life.

Districts Are Supposed to Use Evidence to Improve Schools Under ESSA. Will They?

The Every Student Succeeds Act is supposed to bring about a big change in school improvement. The law says states and districts can use any kind of interventions they want in low-performing schools, as long as they have evidence to back them up.

With security measures, urban schools avoid mass shootings

DEFENDER NEWS NETWORK — As schools around the U.S. look for ways to impose tougher security measures in the wake of last month’s school shooting in Parkland, Florida, that left 17 people dead, they don’t have to look further than urban districts such as Detroit, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York that installed metal detectors and other security in the 1980s and 1990s to combat gang and drug violence.

COMMENTARY: What Kind of Nation Have We Become When We Fail to Protect Our Children?

AFRO NEWSPAPER — In the wake of yet another mass slaughter of innocent Americans, I am writing to implore my colleagues in both the Congress and our state legislatures to go to CNN’s website and listen carefully to the words of a young American named Cameron Kasky. You can find his declaration of principle and truth on CNN.com.

Why Public School Teachers, Administrators Cheat

THE AFRO NEWSPAPER — According to school officials, about 73 percent of Washington public schools’ students graduated on time, another record high for a school system that had struggled years ago to graduate even half of its students.  The graduation rate marked a four-point rise from the previous year and a 20-point gain from 2011, when just over half of D.C. Public School students graduated within four years.

Inside the ESSA Plans: What Are States Doing About Goals and Timelines?

EDUCATION WEEK — This week, Education Week is bringing its trademark analysis to the remaining state plans for fulfilling requirements of the Every Student Succeeds law. On Monday, we had a look at the states’ proposed “school quality” indicators, €”the required but nonacademic portion of each state’s plan to judge schools. Today, we’re going to take a look at states’ goals for raising student achievement and their timelines for doing so in the plans awaiting federal approval.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Step Up helps teen girls make their way to college

WAVE NEWSPAPERS — It was several years ago that Lubna Hindi realized the impact she and Step Up — a nonprofit that empowers young girls in under-resourced communities –– were having on the kids they served.

Search to Fill One of Education’s Biggest Jobs Begins as New York City Chief Steps Down

Carmen Fariña, the chancellor of New York City Schools, announced Thursday that she would be resigning in 2018, leaving behind a school system fundamentally changed from where it stood when her tenure began four years ago.

NEW YORK: Gillibrand Legislation Would Help Students

NEWBURGH – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand Friday visited Newburgh Free Academy to announce her bipartisan legislation, 21st Century Strengthening Hands On Programs that Cultivate Learning Approaches for Successful Students Act.

Betsy DeVos’ Team Tells New York, Three Other States They Have ESSA Work to Do

EDUCATION WEEK — Minnesota, New York, Virginia, and West Virginia have some work to do on their plans to implement the Every Student Succeeds Act, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

HBCUs generate $14.8 billion in economic impact — Amsterdam News

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) generate $14.8 billion in economic impact annually, according to a stunning new report by the United Negro College Fund (UNCF).

NEW YORK: Parent Update from Commissioner Elia

As parents, you make a real difference in your child’s learning — from reading with your child to helping your child with homework to spending time in your child’s classroom. It’s also National Family Week, a good time to recognize and support you and your families. I hope you will be able to spend time with your families this week and throughout the holiday season.

What’s Up With ESSA Block Grant Funding?

“What’s the latest timeline for distribution of Title IVA funds to states? Are they able to receive funds as soon as their plans are approved? Do you have any sense of how many states will opt to administer those grants competitively, given the smaller appropriation?”

New research finds Every Child Ready to Read curriculum leads to successful family engagement through libraries

CHICAGO – Libraries are taking a proactive approach toward engaging parents and caregivers in supporting the early literacy development of their children, and the Every Child Ready to Read® @ your library® (ECRR) Program is an excellent tool to ensure libraries’ success.

Report: One-third of all NY schools have no Black or Latino teachers

A new report from The Education Trust-New York shows that many Black and Brown students are taught by people who don’t look like them.

States’ ESSA Plans Fall Short on Educator Equity, NCTQ Analysis Finds – Teacher Beat – Education Week

Most states are not planning to do enough to prevent low-income students and students of color from being disproportionately taught by ineffective or inexperienced teachers, according to the National Council on Teacher Quality.

Here’s How Some States’ ESSA Plans Address Testing Opt-Outs

Nine states and the District of Columbia had turned in their state plans for the Every Student Succeeds Act as of Monday evening, according to an Education Week survey of states. One tricky issue states have to address in those plans is how to deal with schools where less than 95 percent of all students take required state exams.

Donald Trump Praises Betsy DeVos and Urges More Local Control Over Education

President Donald Trump repeated a few promises related to the Common Core State Standards and education governance from his 2016 campaign, and also praised Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, at a town hall of business executives in Washington on Tuesday. 

NEW YORK: Parent Update from Commissioner Elia

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of attending and speaking at the NYSPTA Annual Convention. Regent Collins also attended the convention and participated in the Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Caucus.

Will ESSA Reduce States’ Accountability in Special Education? – Education Week

As unpopular as No Child Left Behind was by the time it was ushered off the stage in 2015, advocates for students with disabilities could always point to one aspect of the law that they liked: by requiring that test scores of different student groups be reported separately, the law exposed the low academic performance of students in special education and required schools to do something about it.

Wanted: More Teachers for Students Learning English

The number of students who are learning the English language has been growing, mostly in the York City School District but also in some suburban districts, at a smaller scale.

Report: One in 10 city school students are homeless

More than 104,000 students were identified as homeless by NYS school districts and charter schools according to a report by New York State Technical and Education Assistance Center for Homeless Students.

Inside ESSA Plans: How Could Your School Be Graded?

Since nearly all states have at least turned in their ESSA plans, and many ESSA plans have been approved, we now have a good idea of how states are answering those questions. Keep one thing in mind: ESSA requires certain low-performing schools to be identified as needing either targeted or comprehensive support.

Board of Regents Approves NY’S Every Student Succeeds Act Plan

The Board of Regents today approved the New York Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan, which will be submitted to the United States Education Department (USDE) on September 18 for review and approval. It is anticipated that USDE will provide feedback to the Department in December 2017. Final approval of the state’s ESSA plan is expected early next year.

Merging academia and activism for race relations

NY AMSTERDAM NEWS — In the months since President Donald Trump’s inauguration, activists and scholars have converged, condemning his violent and divisive racial rhetoric. In response to Trump’s rhetoric, leaders are working to build a resistance against an agenda that not only divides the country but also sets precedence for violent and discriminatory policies and actions.

NY State Board of Regents Approves State ESSA Plan

The New York State Board of Regents has approved its state ESSA plan “laying out the state’s goals for its education system.” Under the plan, “elementary and middle schools would continue to be evaluated on English and math test scores and high schools on graduation rates,”…

NEW YORK: Beacon Wins High School Battle of the Books

BEACON – The Howland Public Library is all a buzz with excitement. The library’s teen Battle of the Books team, The Beacon Buzzers, took home first place in the Mid-Hudson Library System’s 2nd Annual High School Battle of the Books.

The first New Yorkers go to college tuition-free

New York’s Excelsior Scholarship is the first of its kind. It covers the cost of tuition for qualifying students who are enrolled in a two- or four-year degree program at any of the state’s 88 public colleges and university campuses.

Former UN Ambassador Andrew Young Addresses Buffalo State Upward Bound Students

Young, who served as the UN ambassador during the Carter administration, received the 2017 Hal D. Payne Educational Opportunity Lifetime Service Award during the banquet. He also served as the event’s keynote speaker.

NEW YORK ESSA NEWS

OPINION: Importance of Educators of Color for Black & Brown Students

NNPA ESSA AWARENESS CAMPAIGN — This month, my organization, the National Alliance of Public Charter Schools released its highly-anticipated report, “Identity and Charter School Leadership: Profiles of Leaders of Color Building an Effective Staff” which examined the ways that school leaders of color’s experiences and perspectives influence how they build school culture, parent and community relationships, and effective staff.

read more

OP-ED: Student Loan Debt is a Crisis

THE WESTSIDE GAZETTE — Finances should never be a barrier to graduation, nor should the financial impact of earning a college degree be a barrier for buying a home, saving money, starting a family, and having a good credit score. TMCF prides itself on building pipelines into good paying jobs but we also have to work to ensure that those students are able to truly reap the financial benefits of their achievements without having to pay off years of student loan debt.

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Profile in Education Equity: Sharif El-Mekki

El-Mekki is answering his own “nation building” call. In May, he announced that after 11 years as Shoemaker’s principal and 26 years of being inside schools as a teacher or administrator, he was devoting his full attention and time to launching a new Center for Black Educator Development to help address the urgent need to bring more Black educators into Philadelphia’s classrooms and across the nation. “If I’m going to be serious about trying to change the lives of Black educators and hence the lives of Black children, then it just can’t be my night and weekend job,” he said.

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OP-ED: Black Studies becomes major factor in social advancement

OUR WEEKLY NEWS — The Black Power movement of the late 1960s helped to redefine African American identity and establish a new racial consciousness. As influential as this period was in the study and enhancement of the African Diaspora, this movement spawned the academic discipline known as Black Studies on our college and university campuses.

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COMMENTARY: Financial Literacy Transforms Students’ Lives. Here’s Where to Start

EDUCATION WEEK: In 2013, the Council for Economic Education (CEE) released a set of rigorous national standards for financial literacy that offer a starting point for elementary, middle, and high school educators to create a meaningful curriculum with the flexibility to determine what works best in their own school day. Schools should also tailor their curriculum to account for cultural differences in the classroom, as well as the specific learning styles of girls versus boys.

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No More Scissors. No More Mail. Box Tops for Schools Goes Digital

General Mills, which founded the program 23 years ago, announced that the program will soon be digital-only. Customers now earn money for their schools by scanning receipts rather than clipping box tops and mailing them in. Participants can download the new mobile app, scan their store receipt, which will automatically analyze which products were box-tops items and tabulate the amount that will be donated to their school of choice. Every box top will still be worth 10 cents.

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Educator Spotlight: Donald Hense

Three-quarters of the students enrolled in Friendship schools in D.C. are from Wards 7 and 8, the city’s two poorest areas, and nearly all are African-American. Their achievement is reflected in their continuous improvement on standardized tests. Most recently, Donald Hense and his team celebrated, when five of Friendship’s 12 D.C. schools were rated Tier 1 by the Public Charter School Board – the highest of three ratings a charter school can earn.

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States Hunt for Evidence to Underpin School Turnaround Efforts

EDUCATION WEEK — Allendale County’s school district sits in South Carolina’s Lowcountry, in an impoverished, rural region near the coast known as the “corridor of shame” for the chronic poor quality of its education system. Until recently, three of the district’s four schools were considered among the lowest performing in the state.

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ESSA’s Growing Pains Evident Amid Progress

EDUCATION WEEK — If the Every Student Succeeds Act were a schoolchild, it would be a preschooler—not much more than 3 years old, making steady progress, but still stumbling a bit along the way.The first major rewrite of the nation’s main K-12 law in more than a decade, ESSA was signed into law at the end of 2015, replacing and updating the groundbreaking—but problematic—No Child Left Behind Act.

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COMMENTARY: Assembly Workers and Widgets

Well, how can we feel more professional and less like factory workers producing widgets? First, we must clarify our mission. Students are not widgets. There can be no reject bins for human beings with different needs and varied learning intelligence!

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