Four public forums focusing on potential future graduation requirements in New York State are being held for educators and residents of Dutchess County. Stemming from findings of the New York State Education Department’s Blue Ribbon Commission, the forums will highlight the recommendations and seek feedback from attendees, which will include educators and a variety of community members.

In summary, the recommendations include:

• Adopting the New York State Portrait of a Graduate as the framework for diploma requirements. The portrait has seven elements: Critical Thinker, Innovative Problem Solver, Literate Across Content Areas, Cultural Competence, Effective Communicator, Global Citizen.
• Redefining credits by organizing them around the portrait, adding career and technical education and financial literacy requirements and expanding ways for students to show proficiency in the standards and components of the portrait.
• Sunsetting diploma assessment requirements by eliminating the need to “pass the Regents or a +1 Pathway assessment to graduate. (State assessments will continue per federal ESSA requirements)
• Move to one diploma statewide with advanced designations via a seal or endorsement with room for districts to add additional seals or endorsements. If students satisfy state requirements they will earn a diploma.
• Require all New York State teacher preparation programs to provide instruction in culturally responsive-sustaining education practices.

See NYSED’s Blue Ribbon Commission page for more information on the commission and its recommendations.

The changes follow similar steps already taken within the Poughkeepsie City School District to prioritize post-graduate success. This includes the growing Career Pathways Initiative, in which students can fulfill graduation alternative requirements while receiving specialized career training, the Smart Scholars Early College program launched this year, and involvement in BOCES’ P-Tech program, also started this year.

Pawling Central School District Superintendent Kim Fontana and Beacon City School District Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Student Support Sagrario Rudecindo-O’Neill are leading the forums as Blue Ribbon Commission ambassadors.

Rudecindo-O’Neill chaired the steering committee and presented the recommendations to the Board of Regents.

“I feel it is my duty to spread the word and support the work. It is an honor and privilege to share this and ensure that barriers are removed so students can get their diplomas,” Rudecindo-O’Neill said, adding, “The biggest takeaway I hope people will walk away with is that they received accurate information and that they find the recommendations to be hopeful and long overdue for New York students. I hope they see this as an opportunity for students, something that enhances the rigor but is equitable.”

The forums are scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 19 at Dutchess BOCES’ Conference Center, 5 BOCES Road, Poughkeepsie; Oct. 16 at Beacon High School, 101 Matteawan Road, Beacon and Oct. 23 at Pawling Middle School, 80 Wagner Road, Pawling.

Educators may attend from 4:30-6 p.m., while the public forums are scheduled from 6:30-8 p.m.

During the forums, participants will be asked to discuss the four major recommendations in small groups and share feedback through prompts electronically.

Dutchess BOCES Deputy Superintendent Jodi DeLucia said the agency is glad to partner with the New York State Education Department to share these recommendations with educators and the public and gather feedback to help inform the decision-making process.

Register to attend a forum using the links below:

Thursday, Sept. 19

Educator forum, 4:30-6 p.m. or https://bit.ly/BRC-EducatorForumSept19

Public forum, 6:30-8 p.m. or https://bit.ly/BRC-Public-ForumSept19

Wednesday, Oct. 16

Educator forum, 4:30-6 p.m. or https://bit.ly/BRC-EducatorForumOct16

Public forum, 6:30-8 p.m. or https://bit.ly/BRC-Public-ForumOct16

Wednesday, Oct. 23

Educator forum, 4:30-6 p.m. or https://bit.ly/BRC-EducatorForumOct23

Public forum, 6:30-8 p.m. or https://bit.ly/BRC-Public-ForumOct23