New York State English Council

PROPOSED ELA STANDARDS

                  The US Department of Education has recently posted a draft set of Common Core standards for English and Math.  In order to be eligible for Race to the Top funds, by the beginning of August, all states will be expected to adopt the final version as the major portion of their state standards. For the past two years, however, a comprehensive process was conducted in New York State, under the direction of the Board of Regents, to develop revised standards for English Language Arts, including English Language Learners. The work of this review and revision was completed by a broadly inclusive, expert content panel, drawing upon practitioners, educational leaders, the New York State English Council, and nationally recognized researchers.  

            Many of the important elements of these proposed standards were developed through a collaborative commitment to the principles outlined in the “Introduction” of the document.  These Student Learning Standards address commencement level goals for instruction in reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing, and presenting.  They retain enduring values in English Language Arts while at the same time addressing the demands students will face as learners, workers, and citizens in a rapidly changing global environment. These standards are intended to apply to instruction for all students, including English Language learners, struggling learners, and students with special needs, who may require additional instructional support and scaffolding.  All students are entitled to a complete education and to the instructional support required to get them there.

             We are posting these proposed standards so that the educators of New York state can see the work which was completed, in contrast to the national standards.  Feel free to write to me at  jharmon@skanschools.org if you have any comments.  

New ELA Standards (DRAFT)