SWBOCES hosts Regional Meeting on H.S. Graduation Measures

 Three Ossining High School students — Federico Grullon and brothers Isaac Newman and Sethe Newman — were among more than 100 educators and community stakeholders who participated in discussions during Monday's Regional Meeting on Graduation Measures at the Southern Westchester BOCES campus in Harrison. 

Many of SWBOCES' component districts were represented along with parents and representatives from various agencies and area colleges and universities. The discussion kicked off with a joint presentation by Deputy Superintendent/COO Jacqueline O'Donnell and Dr. Mary Elizabeth Wilson, SWBOCES' Senior Director of Professional Development and Instructional Technology. 

The New York State Board of Regents and Education Department are sponsoring the ongoing meetings around the state over the next several weeks. The purpose is to garner input and feedback on guiding questions around what it should mean to earn a high school diploma in New York State. 

View a gallery of photos from the Regional Meeting here.

This is the beginning of a larger overall process over the next two years focusing on that question. Southern Westchester BOCES, in its unique role as a liaison between the state and local districts on matters of education policy and practice, facilitated the meeting and provided a forum and setting for a productive discussions. Regent Lester W. Young, Regent at Large for the 9th Judicial District, hosted the meeting.

Participants were divided into groups of 8-10. Each group focused on five guiding questions. An SWBOCES facilitator led the discussion and recorded the responses of participants. Each group designated one participant to report a general takeaway by the group from the discussion.

Guiding Questions

1. What do we want students to know and to be able to do before they graduate?
2. How do we want students to demonstrate such knowledge and skills?
3. How do you measure learning and achievement (as it pertains to the answers to #2 above) to ensure they are indicators of high school completion?
4. How can measures of achievement accurately reflect the skills and knowledge of our special populations, such as students with disabilities and English language learners?
5. What course requirements or examinations will ensure that students are prepared for college and careers or civic engagement?

The Feb. 3 meeting at Southern Westchester BOCES was one of the first in the series. Another 17 meetings are planned through March, with the nearest to the Southern Westchester region being held at Roosevelt High School in Yonkers on March 3 and at Ulster BOCES on March 11. See the full schedule at this link. Complete information about the Graduation Measures Review can be found at this link on the NYSED website.