Happy Holidays from the Office of Curriculum and Professional Development! Hopefully this update finds you enjoying the holiday season with family and friends.

On Friday, October 11th the District held a staff development day for our teachers and staff. During this day, our various academic departments spent time analyzing and developing action plans on the student-based data goals that they are working on. These goals are based on the Strategic Plan for Barker CSD. This work is being led by our department chairpersons. In addition to the data focus, our elementary teachers attended an information session on the Science of Reading literacy initiative that New York State recently launched. Our secondary teachers attended an informational session on proposed changes to graduation measures in New York State. All our faculty members were informed of an initiative that Barker CSD is taking part in along with other school districts in the region plus the Niagara County Department of Health.

On Monday November 4, 2024, the New York State Department of Education issued a new document that outlines a timeline for the new graduation measures to take effect in NYS. The Department’s implementation plan, shaped by feedback from both the public and members of the state's education communities, ensures a comprehensive understanding of the needs and perspectives of various stakeholders and serves as a road map for executing the four transformations that stem from the 12 recommendations outlined in the November 2023 Blue Ribbon Commission on Graduation Measures Report.

Key elements of the plan include:

• Implementation of Four Transformations: The strategy is designed to responsibly and effectively implement the four key transformations: adopting the New York State Portrait of a Graduate, redefining credits to focus on proficiency, sunsetting diploma assessment requirements, and moving to one diploma.
• Phased Approach: The plan features a structured timeline consisting of a planning year followed by three distinct phases for implementation.
• Enhanced Stakeholder Engagement: The state is committed to incorporating additional opportunities for stakeholder feedback throughout the process.
• Focus on Planning and Professional Development: The plan allocates time for thorough planning, professional learning opportunities, and clear communication among all participants.

This approach ensures a collaborative and well-supported implementation of the recommendations for our school communities. To ensure that the proposed changes are implemented effectively, this plan adopts an intentional phased approach that allows for thorough planning, professional learning opportunities, and valuable stakeholder feedback as the state transitions from our current system.

For more information regarding these changes please visit the NYS Education Department website and click on the Featured Story entitled "NY Inspires: A Plan to Transform Education in New York State."

Finally, please remember to visit the Barker CSD website and complete the Student Digital Resources form for our current school year. The District will be collecting this important information until January 21, 2025.

If you have any questions regarding your child’s educational program, or the instructional program of our school, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. You can email me at ccornwell@barkercsd.net, or reach me by phone at 716-795-3388.

Yours in education,

Christian Cornwell
Coordinator of Curriculum & Professional Learning/AP
ccornwell@barkercsd.net
716-795-3388