NYSED recently released the scores of the Spring 2021 Grades 3-8 English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics Tests. Due to circumstances related to the pandemic, approximately 4 out of 10 students participated in this year’s tests. In ELA, 41.9 percent of students enrolled in grades 3-8 took the exam and in math, 39.9 percent of enrolled students took the exam.

In an ordinary year, the percentage of students who participate in the tests is typically over 80 percent. Therefore, the 2021 grades 3-8 test results are not representative of the state’s student population and should not be compared to that of previous school years, statewide, or among subgroups of students. As a result, NYSED is not making statewide comparisons of the data and only district and school level results are posted on NYSED’s public data website.

Although statewide comparisons of 2021 grades 3–8 test results are not recommended, the data can still be used as a snapshot of student attainment by districts, schools, instructors, and families. The results allow educators to better understand individual students’ needs and to consider individualized support. A Frequently Asked Questions document is available providing more information about this year’s exams.

NYSED is seeking stakeholder input on a potential waiver request to the United States Department of Education related to making school and district accountability determinations based on results from the 2021-22 school year. Survey responses will be accepted through Friday, November 19. Thank you for your input as the Department considers next steps in this process.

A new exhibition, Courage: The Black Struggle for Quality Education, is now open for the public to view at the New York State Museum. The exhibition explores the visions and aspirations of courageous leaders and parents who have sought to equitably educate Black children. Developed by the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, and on loan to the State Museum, the exhibition will be on view in the Museum’s Photography Gallery through June 2022. The Adelaide L. Sanford Institute made the exhibition available to the Museum in honor of Vice Chancellor Emerita Dr. Adelaide L. Sanford of the Board of Regents.

NYSED has released three optional professional development toolkits that can be shared within schools and professional communities to support raising awareness of the CR-S Framework. The toolkits contain PowerPoint presentations and turnkey facilitation guides tailored to three audience types: a General Session, a Teacher Session, and an Administrative/District Leaders Session. Each toolkit is customizable to address each district's, school's, or community’s needs.

For additional support, the Department has released three articles written by fellow educators to share ideas and resources on implementing the CR-S Framework. If you have any questions on the new materials or the CR-S Framework, please contact the Office of Curriculum and Instruction at emscurric@nysed.gov.

The New York State My Brother’s Keeper (NYSMBK) Community Network has grown again, and now includes 31 member communities. NYSMBK recently added connections with Arlington, Elmont, Roosevelt, Sewanhaka, and Uniondale to join the growing initiative to improve outcomes for boys and young men of color. Find more information about the NYSMBK Community Network and a full list of member communities on the Department’s website.

Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced that $59 million will be allocated to the Clean Green Schools initiative to address climate justice issues and create improved, healthier learning environments for students. The initiative will launch in 2022 to improve indoor air quality and reduce carbon emissions in more than 500 public and private prekindergarten through grade 12 schools in New York’s underserved communities. The Clean Green Schools initiative supports New York State’s goals in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act passed in 2019.