NY’s Blue Ribbon Commission Graduation Measures get hyped at City & State’s 2024 Education in New York Summit

City & State’s 2024 Education in New York Summit welcomed State Department of Education Commissioner Betty Rosa as its opening keynote speaker Thursday before a packed crowd at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in Lower Manhattan Thursday. 

The event brought together industry executives, public sector leaders and academics to discuss  ideas and debate over critical issues such as school choice, closing the achievement gap, and special education services. Rosa began her remarks by speaking  about a “reimagining and rethinking” of transforming the school system. transforming our system. 

“And we are very much committed to the issue of service,” she told attendees in explaining that transformation. “We are here to serve, and we're here to serve our districts, our communities, our schools and those that are pretty much a part of what we call the extended family of trying to do this work.” 

Rosa then used the event to highlight the Blue Ribbon Commission Graduation Measures, an initiative to rethink and reimagine New York State’s graduation requirements. Rosa, a member of the commission, said that an “independent, thoughtful and inclusive process,” was taken to determine ultimately what graduates should know and what skills they should have. 

“We want them to be critical thinkers, innovative problem solvers, littered across the content area, effective communicators, global citizens,” she said. “And we really want them to be individuals that are culturally competent.”

The commissioner continued that part of the process has been reconceptualizing work that helps to shape the “portrait of a graduate.” “So we are building this amazing portrait, trying to create, what do we want that portrait to look like?” she said. “And obviously, we want to make sure that all of our work –  as we're moving through this –  that we're doing it in a very thoughtful process involving our various communities.” Rosa said the Blue Ribbon Commission was the end-result of small group organizing, multiple meetings, and “being amazing ambassadors” leading to “the portrait of the graduate.”

Afterward, panelists on the panel, “Current state of public education in New York,” discussed funding for schools, serving students with disabilities and professional development of teachers teaching literacy programs. Panelists emphasized the importance of making space for more professional development for teachers teaching literacy programs through initiatives such as NYC Reads. 

“We owe it to every child to not just teach them how to read, but give them the tools so that they can move forward and acquire reading levels,” said Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers. “We owe it to every child to do it. It's not easy to implement. This is not what is in most of the prep for teachers when they go to school to get the teaching certificates to teach literacy for most teachers who come out of school. But when you're implementing these things, it's a massive logistical undertaking. How do you make sure they [teachers] get professional development?”

The event’s second panel, “New York’s plans for higher education,” mentioned the effectiveness of offering tutoring, advising, and overall supportive housing initiatives to students so they may be able to navigate challenges, worry less about basic needs, and succeed. 

“When they know they have a safe place to live, when they know they have stable access to food, and when they know they have advisors and tutors and funding in their corner, they're able to feel secure and able to succeed.” said panelist Farrah Goff, director of admissions & academic success at The New York Foundling.

The conversation also focused on the importance of City University of New York (CUNY) and State University of New York (SUNY) affordability through passing legislation that will expand eligibility for Tuition Assistance Programs. It was mentioned that this past legislative session, the eligibility for TAP went from $80,000 to $125,000 and has been essential to encouraging New York students to pursue higher education. 

Afternoon sessions dove into how technology is implemented into today’s education, its benefits, and how it has made education more accessible, while at the same time, creating challenges in the education space, especially with artificial intelligence and its effect on academic integrity. There was also a conversation about mental and behavioral challenges and the resources in place for students navigating these challenges. 

“I'm very optimistic about the future of education. When I came out of high school and college years ago with my regent's diploma in hand, I didn't know what to expect. And I think that colleges now help students to navigate, particularly those early stages of their college experience, when they may be feeling a little lost, and not knowing where to turn,” said Patricia Greer, provost at Berkeley College.