I hope that this edition of Highlights finds you and your family well. It is hard to believe that the halfway point of the school year is quickly approaching. Considering that the beginning of this academic year coincided with the final stage of our capital project and a number of staffing changes, it has been a great start! We know that change, even for the better, can be challenging and we truly appreciate your ongoing trust and support during these phases. I would like to take this opportunity to share with you a couple of changes that are presently being developed at the state level that will impact us here locally over the coming years. Specifically, these changes focus on the state’s graduation requirements and school funding.
New York State’s Blue Ribbon Commission on High School Graduation Requirements was tasked with reviewing and From the Superintendent of Schools recommending changes to the state’s graduation requirements. The commission has been exploring ways to make graduation requirements more relevant and equitable for all students. Their work includes examining how to incorporate skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and technical knowledge into graduation criteria, in addition to traditional academic subjects. The goal is to make sure that high school graduates are well-prepared for both college and careers, especially in an increasingly complex and technology-driven world. The commission also focuses on ensuring that students from diverse backgrounds and regions have equal opportunities to succeed.
The commission’s final recommendation has been titled NYS INSPIRE (Innovative and Strategic Pathways for Inclusive Reform in Education). Some of the key INSPIRE recommendations include: Personalized Learning, Increased Access to Career and Technical Education (CTE), Equitable Support Systems, Culturally Responsive Education and Alignment with Workforce Needs. The new Portrait of a Graduate rubric and learning standards are still in development. Implementation of these new graduation requirements are scheduled to begin with students entering 9th Grade in 2027, with full implementation completed by the summer of 2029. From what we understand, Regents exams as we know them would be optional. New York State Schools will only award one type of diploma versus the three (Local, Regents and Regents with Advanced Designation) that we presently award. Students will be required to demonstrate mastery of the state’s learning standards in a variety of ways such as in-depth projects, service-based learning and CTE programs. Certain achievements will qualify for endorsements like Civic Readiness and Advanced Designation. We will certainly keep you informed as further and more detailed information regarding these changes is made available to us.
New York State contracted the Rockefeller Institute of Government to make recommendations regarding school finances to ensure that schools are better funded and that funding is distributed more equitably. One major recommendation is to reform how state education funding is allocated to ensure that schools in low-income areas receive the support they need. The Institute suggests that the state should prioritize funding for schools serving historically underserved communities, including those with higher numbers of students from low-income families or students with special needs. They also propose revising the funding formula to consider the rising costs of education and the need for resources like mental health support and technology. The goal of these recommendations is to provide all students, regardless of their background or where they live, with a high-quality education and equal opportunities to succeed, while ensuring that funding is used more efficiently across the State’s schools. In reviewing the Rockefeller Institute’s recommendations, they presented a menu of options for policymakers to consider, and did not provide an actual revised Foundation Aid Formula. As the state is already into the budget development process, it is difficult to surmise what if any of the recommendations will be implemented this year. When comparing Cleveland Hill’s poverty level, identified student needs and increasing enrollment, we are cautiously optimistic that the adoption of any of the recommended changes would not result in significant changes in the state aid we would anticipate. Again, we will keep you informed as we gain a clearer understanding of these changes through our own budget development process.
On behalf of the Board of Education, I would like to express our sincere gratitude for your continued partnership and support. Like all school districts, we face our share of challenges, but few are able to overcome them as effectively as we do here at Cleveland Hill. This success is a direct result of the strength and diversity of our community, which unites to make Cleveland Hill a special place to live, learn and work. Thank you for being a vital part of what makes our district truly special.
Jon T. MacSwan
Superintendent