Meeting of the Board of Regents | October 2008

SUMMARY

Issue for Decision (Consent Agenda)

Required assessments for seven schools that are currently using portfolio assessments.

Reason(s) for Consideration

Seven schools that originally had a variance from using certain Regents Exams have closed and others have opened.

Proposed Handling

              Review and Approval

Procedural History

In 1995, the Department granted a five-year variance to a group of schools that make up the New York Performance Standards Consortium to use a portfolio assessment in place of the Regents exams in mathematics, social studies, and science.  This was before the Board of Regents began to require Regents exams for graduation.  A portfolio is a compilation of a student’s work during the year and may consist of exhibits, projects, book reports, papers and other similar items.  Each school determines what makes up the students’ portfolio.

In June 2008, the Regents extended the decision to allow the schools to use portfolio assessments in place of the Regents Exams in mathematics, social studies, and science for a further period of time, through the 2013-2014 school year. Students at the schools were still required to take the Regents Exam in English. Additionally, general education students who entered ninth grade in fall 2008 are also required to pass the Regents Exam in English at a score of 65, as is true in the rest of the state.

Originally, there were 39 schools affected by the decision. That number declined over time, so that there are now 32 remaining schools. Seven schools now succeed the seven schools that closed. Therefore, they can be substituted on the list of affected schools. Those seven schools, all in New York City, are:

Community School for Social Justice

Essex Street Academy

Facing History School

Gotham Professional Arts Academy

James Baldwin School

New Day Academy

The Brooklyn School for Collaborative Studies.

Recommendation

              VOTED: That the seven schools listed above be substituted for the seven schools that closed and therefore receive the same variance that the Regents approved in June 2008. The variance would allow the schools to use portfolio assessments in place of the Regents Exams in mathematics, social studies, and science for a five-year period, through the 2013-2014 school year. The schools would still be required to take the Regents Exam in English. Additionally, general education students who entered ninth grade in fall 2008 in the schools listed above would also be required to pass the Regents Exam in English at a score of 65, as is true in the rest of the state.

Timetable for Implementation

Immediate