New York State Learning Standards Review

In March 2008, the Board of Regents announced the review of the New York State Learning Standards, beginning with the standards for English Language Arts (ELA) and English as a Second Language (ESL). After this announcement, NYSED quickly involved the New York Comprehensive Center to access current research and information on the process other states used as they reviewed and revised their standards and to provide facilitation support for selected review panels.

The current standards were adopted in 1996 and cover the following major content areas:

  • English Language Arts
  • Mathematics, Science, and Technology
  • Social Studies
  • the Arts
  • Languages other than English
  • Career Development and Occupational Studies
  • Health, Physical Education and Family Consumer Sciences

During the standards review process, the Regents sought recommendations from teachers, school administrators, members of the higher education community, business and community leaders, parents, and other state and national experts in each of the major content areas. They additionally organized focus groups throughout the state that were open to the public.

Ex-Regents Chancellor Robert M. Bennett appointed Regent Saul B. Cohen, President Emeritus of Queens College, as Chair of the Regents Steering Committee for Standards Review. In addition, Dr. Walter Sullivan, former school superintendent and currently Director of the Center for Educational Policy and Practice, was named Coordinator of the Standards Review work and process.

Visit the New York State Learning Standards Review website to learn more.

English Language Arts

NYCC Literacy Team Activities for ELA Standards Review and Revision

NYCC research staff accessed and synthesized research to inform the New York State Education Department on how other states have reviewed and revised their standards. The Center compiled a set of matrices to provide NYSED leadership staff with an overview of the format and organization of ELA standards as they exist in other states.

Information regarding the clarity, specificity and content of ELA Standards from other states were gathered and synthesized, including:

  • description of each state’s ELA Standards document: including its format/organization, number of pages and specificity to grade level
  • listing of and number of standards-based related documents the state has published, referencing for each document:
    · Intended audience
    · Grade level organization
    · Specificity of expectations/performance
    · Benchmarks
    · Exemplars of proficiency
    · Glossary
    · Inclusion of Scope and Sequence
    · Sample lessons or suggested activities

To learn more about additional work of the NYCC Literacy team, visit the NYCC Literacy Initiative page.