Superintendent Unveils State’s Costly Curriculum Mandates

Although New York State’s curriculum mandates are intended to enhance academic rigor and students' college readiness, the Board of Education expressed frustration on Monday night because of the hefty costs involved.

Superintendent Dr. Dennis Lauro outlined the State’s involved initiatives to show how they might affect the district’s Five-Year Strategic Plan. While the propositions—from raising the passing grade on Regent’s exams to extending the school year—could have a positive impact on students, board members are exasperated by their expense and the State’s flippant approach.

“If you consider the way they toss things out, it’s mind blowing,” remarked Board of Education member Douglas Hearle. “‘We may extend the school day. We may extend the school year’. Who are these nitwits?”

The mandates, whose details haven’t yet been finalized, have been divided into four categories—new faculty evaluations, common core learning, state assessment standards and high school graduation standards.

Implement New Teacher and Principal Evaluations

Principals and faculty members will be evaluated based on a 100-point system. “We’re hoping that the bar isn’t too, too high from the start.” Lauro said. He also noted that if someone is dissatisfied with a rating, he or she can directly appeal to him. “The buck stops here,” Lauro remarked. “The superintendent must be able to apply reasonableness to these high stakes decisions. We’re going to move slowly into this process.”

Create Common Core Learning Standards

Developed by the Council of Chief School Officers, the common core learning standards aim to make sure that every school, in every state, is adhering to a similar curriculum. Thus far, 26 states have adopted the program and among quite a few advantages, it will help students transition to new schools if they move to another state. Lauro mentioned, however, that teachers will still have quite a bit of leeway when it comes to crafting their syllabi. “Teachers can interpret the standards,” Lauro offered. “It doesn’t mean they all have to read the same books. You’ll see variations from school district to school district, but the standards are the same. There is independence and flexibility.”

Raise Standards on State Assessments

Although more than 90 percent of students earn Regent’s diplomas in New York, Lauro remarked that about 65 percent of students don’t perform well once they enroll in college. The discrepancy may mean that the State exams are not challenging enough to adequately prepare teens for the rigor of university. “At one point in time, we weren’t producing enough graduates,” remarked Board of Education President Robert Eicher. “So let’s dumb [the Regent’s] down so that there are more graduates. Then it’s a big surprise when they’re not college ready.”

While no defined standards have been adopted just yet, Lauro said that the State will likely rethink the “safety net” it offers students with disabilities by raising the passing grade, which is currently set between 55-65 percent. Lauro noted that it will go up to 70 percent this year. In 2012, it will likely hit 75 percent and in 2013 it will increase to 80 percent.

Increase High School Graduation Requirements

In order to earn a high school diploma, students may be required to take more credits and classes. High schoolers may be obligated to take a fourth year of math and science and a college readiness credit. Students may have to pass all five Regent’s exams and the school day—and year—may get extended. This last proposition raised particular concern, since such a change would demand that the district spend more money on building costs and teachers’ salaries.

While board members admitted that some of these initiatives are laudable, and that Pelham is probably more prepared than other districts to take on some of these mandates, they bemoaned the fact that they will have to incorporate such drastic changes into the Five-Year Strategic Plan so swiftly.

Lauro reminded board members, though, that the details could change at any moment.

“It’s a living, breathing document,” he said.