Middle-Level Education Public Comment Survey

For the purposes of this survey, how would you describe yourself?

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Does the revised three-model strategy for implementing the Regents Policy Statement on Middle-Level Education provide districts and schools with viable choices that can improve student achievement?

Point out that the proposal offers interesting choices but the value of those choices regarding student achievement remains uncertain since it is not clear how each proposal may impact student performance. Use specific examples and experiences if you can.

Does the revised three-model strategy permit districts and schools the flexibility, based upon local needs and capacities, to meet the educational and personal needs of their middle grade students as articulated in the Regents Policy Statement on Middle-Level Education?

It is important to emphasize that the proposal does not ensure that students will receive a complete education in the arts or other content areas. While the necessity for students to achieve all 28 Learning Standards appears in the proposal, the regulatory language does not guarantee that sufficient attention to all Standards are required. Without clear requirements, there is insufficient assurance that students will receive a complete education. Point out that many students need the approaches to learning that are imbedded in arts education and that the Regents' Strategy needs articulation that protects a student's right to learn.

In addition, it would be helpful to note that many decisions include in the Strategy are based on the result of assessments, some of which are locally developed. However, issues of regulatory relief are involved, the concept of decentralized assessment can lower compliance with Leaning Standards. If the State sets assessment as the determinant assuring that all students achieve the Learning Standards, the all standards should be assessed by a valid, reliable, standard method of measuring student achievement

Does the revised three-model strategy offer sufficient checks and balances to ensure that students in the middle grades receive quality instruction in all of the State's 28 Learning Standards?

Praise the Regents for their efforts and then request that the language solidifying the delivery of all 28 Learning Standards and ensuring that students meet those standards. Reinforce the fact that there remains a gap in the specific requirements that students achieve all 28 standards and that they have full opportunity to receive sufficient instruction to achieve all the standards areas.

An area of comment might be the proposal to integrate curriculum content. Point out that integration can enhance opportunities for student learning but integration can also be widely misinterpreted to result in lowered content standards. The State needs to provide a specific definition for integration and detailed requirements for its use in schools.

Additional Thoughts

This is where you can personalize your comments. Tell of experiences you have had, concerns, etc.