File #: Res 1541-2008    Version: * Name: DOE to survey schools to assess compliance with curriculum mandates in the State Education Law and in the Regulations of the Commissioner of the State Education Dept.
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Committee: Committee on Education
On agenda: 7/23/2008
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling on the New York City Department of Education to survey schools to assess compliance with curriculum mandates in the State Education Law and in the Regulations of the Commissioner of the State Education Department, and to assist schools that are not in compliance with such mandates to fully comply with the law.
Sponsors: Robert Jackson, Darlene Mealy, Jessica S. Lappin, Alan J. Gerson, Thomas White, Jr., Vincent J. Gentile, Michael E. McMahon, Kendall Stewart, Gale A. Brewer, Letitia James, Inez E. Dickens, Mathieu Eugene, Lewis A. Fidler, Helen D. Foster, John C. Liu, Melissa Mark-Viverito, Domenic M. Recchia, Jr., James Sanders, Jr., David I. Weprin, James Vacca, Melinda R. Katz, Maria Del Carmen Arroyo, G. Oliver Koppell, Michael C. Nelson, Daniel R. Garodnick, Anthony Como, Vincent Ignizio
Council Member Sponsors: 27
Attachments: 1. Committee Report 9/19/08, 2. Hearing Testimony 9/19/08, 3. Hearing Transcript 9/19/08, 4. Committee Report 12/16/08, 5. Hearing Transcript 12/16/08, 6. Hearing Testimony 12/16/08, 7. Committee Report - Stated Meeting 12/18/08, 8. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 12/18/08, 9. Press Release
Date Ver.Prime SponsorAction ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsMultimedia
12/18/2008*Robert Jackson City Council Approved, by CouncilPass Action details Meeting details Not available
12/16/2008*Robert Jackson Committee on Education Hearing Held by Committee  Action details Meeting details Not available
12/16/2008*Robert Jackson Committee on Education Approved by CommitteePass Action details Meeting details Not available
9/19/2008*Robert Jackson Committee on Education Hearing Held by Committee  Action details Meeting details Not available
9/19/2008*Robert Jackson Committee on Education Laid Over by Committee  Action details Meeting details Not available
7/23/2008*Robert Jackson City Council Referred to Comm by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
7/23/2008*Robert Jackson City Council Introduced by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available

Res. No. 1541

 

Resolution calling on the New York City Department of Education to survey schools to assess compliance with curriculum mandates in the State Education Law and in the Regulations of the Commissioner of the State Education Department, and to assist schools that are not in compliance with such mandates to fully comply with the law.

 

By Council Members Jackson, Mealy, Lappin, Gerson, White, Gentile, McMahon, Stewart, Brewer, James, Dickens, Eugene, Fidler, Foster, Liu, Mark-Viverito, Recchia Jr., Sanders Jr., Weprin, Vacca, Katz, Arroyo, Koppell, Nelson, Garodnick, Como and Ignizio

 

                     Whereas, The New York State Education Law (“SEL”) and Regulations of the Commissioner of the State Education Department (“Commissioner”) set forth several provisions that, in addition to curriculum mandates in core academic areas such as mathematics, science, social studies, civics, English and the arts, require instruction in certain subjects; and

                     Whereas, These provisions require instruction in areas such as patriotism and citizenship, civility and character education, fire and arson protection, the humane treatment of animals, physical education, prevention of child abuse, health education regarding alcohol, drugs and tobacco abuse, and instruction on Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (“AIDS”); and

Whereas, The inclusion of such courses of study in State law and regulations reflects an understanding, on the part of the State Legislature and the Commissioner, that a well-rounded education must include criteria beyond core academic subject areas that are designed to promote the physical and mental well-being of students, and must strive to prepare students for participation in society as productive and humane citizens; and

                     Whereas, According to many advocates and parents, New York City schools are not in full compliance with some of these curriculum mandates; and

                     Whereas, It has come to the Council’s attention in the course of oversight hearings that school administrators may not be fully aware of these various curriculum requirements, or may require assistance from the New York City Department of Education (“DOE”) to find ways to integrate courses of study required by State law into their general school curriculum; and

Whereas, It has also come to the Council’s attention that the DOE has surveyed schools to assess compliance with some of these curriculum mandates, in particular, requirements relating to AIDS instruction and other aspects of health education, as well as requirements relating to the arts; and

Whereas, The DOE should undertake similar assessments for all curriculum mandates in State law and regulations to ensure that schools are offering all required courses of study; now, therefore, be it

                     Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York City Department of Education to survey schools to assess compliance with curriculum mandates in the State Education Law and in the Regulations of the Commissioner of the State Education Department, and to assist schools that are not in compliance with such mandates to fully comply with the law.

 

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3/10/08