The 2015-2016 state budget included new education laws that created a school receivership model to assist and support the turnaround efforts in New York State's struggling schools. The laws and regulations adopted by the Commissioner require that she designate schools as "struggling" or "persistently struggling" based on their state accountability status. One hundred and forty-four schools in 17 school districts meet the criteria to be designated as struggling or persistently struggling schools. Of these schools, 124 were designated as struggling, which allows these schools two years to show demonstrable improvement in student performance before being subject to independent receivership. Twenty schools were designated as persistently struggling, as they have continuously been placed in the state's most severe accountability statuses over the past 10 years. These schools are given one year to show demonstrable improvement before an independent receiver may be appointed. These schools are eligible for a portion of $75 million in state aid to support and implement their turnaround efforts. Independent receivers for both struggling and persistently struggling schools can be appointed for up to three school years, serve under contract with the Commissioner, and are granted enhanced authority to implement a turnaround plan for these schools.

The Assembly Standing Committee on Education seeks testimony studying these struggling schools and examining how this legislation may be best implemented across school districts and what steps school districts have taken in the past in attempt to turn around these schools. The Committee also seeks testimony on the effectiveness of the community school model and importance of community input throughout the process. Further, the Committee seeks testimony on the varying needs and challenges these schools face in terms of graduation rates, student poverty, school safety, the health needs and well-being of students and their families, student truancy, academic performance, and getting parents invested and involved in their child's school.

Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Committee at the above hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form as soon as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

Oral testimony will be limited to 10 minutes duration. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committee will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to Committee staff as early as possible.

Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committee would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

In order to further publicize these hearings, please inform interested parties and organizations of the Committee's interest in hearing testimony from all sources.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

Hon. Catherine T. Nolan
Member of Assembly
Chair
Committee on Education

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Persons wishing to present testimony at the public hearing on Chronically Struggling Schools and School Receivership are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and mail, email or fax it to: