New York state education leaders want the public’s input on how to hold schools accountable for student success, potential alternative testing methods and possible interventions for low performing schools.
 
 The State Education Department is in the process of crafting a statewide plan addressing these issues in order to comply with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the new federal law that replaced No Child Left Behind late last year. The law grants more flexibility to states when it comes to holding schools accountable, among other things, but states must submit their plans for doing so to the U.S. Department of Education early this year.
 
 SED will hold public meetings across the state this month in an effort to gather public input from a wide variety of stakeholders, including students, teachers, administrators and parents. A meeting in the Capital Region will be held March 9 from 5 to 8 p.m. at 900 Watervliet-Shaker Rd. in Albany
 
 At the meetings, 14 questions on specific options will be addressed on issues like: what new innovative assessment practices New York may wish to seek approval to pilot; assessment and accountability requirements for newly arrived English language learners; strategies for pre-service preparation and professional support for educators; design of the state’s public school accountability system; and supports and interventions in low performing schools.
 
 The complete list of meetings is below. Please note, meetings are continuing to be added and modified. Check the SED website for the latest information. For more information about the state’s work in developing the required ESSA state plan, click here.
Thank You,
Bethany Bump