Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 39, September 25, 2024
WHEREAS, a strong public education system is the
cornerstone of a democratic society, helping to strengthen the middle class,
lift families and individuals out of poverty and fuel economic growth and
innovation; and
WHEREAS, the public education system provides our children
the opportunity to become productive members of society, obtain a college
education and thrive in an increasingly competitive world; and
WHEREAS, New York State and local spending on public
education exceeds $53 billion annually - the highest per-pupil spending level
in the nation - yet New York ranks 38th in graduation rate as of 2011 and
scores below the national average in 4th and 8th grade mathematics on the
Nation's Report Card, and only 37 percent of its students are college ready
upon graduation from high school; and
WHEREAS, the State faces unprecedented economic and
educational challenges that require fundamental changes in the way our
government and school systems do business; and
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State
of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
laws of the State of New York, do hereby order as follows:
A. The New NY Education Reform Commission
1. There is hereby established the New NY
Education Reform Commission ("the Commission"). The Commission shall provide
guidance and advice to the Governor on matters pertaining to education policy,
performance and innovation.
2. The
Governor shall appoint up to 25 voting members to the Commission. The members
of the Commission shall include, but not be limited to, representatives of
academic institutions, representatives of public employees, and stakeholders
with experience in education policy.
3. No member of the Commission shall be
disqualified from holding any public office or employment, nor shall he or she
forfeit any such office or employment by virtue of his or her appointment
hereunder. All members of the Commission and its subcommittees shall serve at
the pleasure of the Governor.
4.
The Governor shall designate a Chair, or co-Chairs, from among the members of
the Commission. Every agency, department, office, division or public authority
of this State shall cooperate with the Commission and furnish such information
and assistance as the Commission determines is reasonably necessary to
accomplish its purposes.
5. A
majority of the total members of the Commission who have been appointed shall
constitute a quorum, and all recommendations of the Commission shall require
approval of a majority of its total members. Any subcommittee shall present its
findings to the Commission for approval.
6. The Commission shall attempt to engage and
solicit the additional input of a broad and diverse range of groups,
organizations, and individuals who are not members of the Commission,
including, without limitation, members of school boards, superintendents,
principals, teachers, parents and representatives of public sector employees,
and may request documents, conduct public hearings, hear the testimony of
witnesses and take any other actions it deems necessary to carry out its
purposes.
B. Duties and
Purpose
1. In carrying out its
responsibilities, the Commission shall study the best national and
international public education models and best practices in order to make
recommendations regarding ways to increase educational productivity and student
performance in New York State.
2.
The Commission shall comprehensively review and assess New York State's
education system, including its structure, operation and processes, with the
goal of uncovering successful models and strategies and developing long-term
efficiencies that will create significant savings while improving student
achievement and providing students with a high-quality education. Such review
shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
a. studying teacher recruitment and
performance, including incentives to keep the best teachers, and the teacher
preparation, certification and evaluation systems;
b. analyzing factors that support student
achievement from pre-kindergarten through high school in order to ensure that
all students are on track to graduate from high school ready for college,
careers, and active citizenship;
c.
evaluating education funding, distribution of State aid, and operating costs to
identify efficiencies in spending while maintaining the quality of educational
programs, including special education;
d. increasing parent and family engagement,
including examining the school calendar and district-level policies that
increase parental involvement;
e.
examining the unique set of issues faced by high-need urban and rural school
districts, including comparing best practices and identifying the different
services that these districts might require to be successful;
f. analyzing the availability of technology
and its best use in the classroom, including the accessibility of, and
obstacles to, using technology in the classroom in light of the requirements
and demands of the job market to best prepare our students; and
g. examining the overall structure of New
York's education system to determine whether it meets the needs of our students
while respecting the taxpayer.
3. The Commission shall compare student
achievement outcomes with education spending, focusing on districts that
generate higher than average achievement per dollars spent, including high-need
school districts that are providing students with the opportunity to receive a
sound basic education, and identifying how school districts can boost student
achievement without increasing spending.
4. The Commission shall submit preliminary
recommendations to the Governor by December 1, 2012, or such other date as the
Governor shall advise the Commission. The Commission shall make final
recommendations to the Governor no later than September 1, 2013, at which time
it shall terminate its work and be relieved of all responsibilities and duties
hereunder, unless its authority is extended.
Signed: Andrew M. CuomoDated: April 13, 2012
