Steiner meets leaders

On his second day at work, the first order of business for new State Education Commissioner David Steiner was a meeting with NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi and Vice President Maria Neira.

The meeting focused on a wide range of issues in both pre-K-12 and higher education.

Steiner emphasized the central role of teachers in continuing the state's advance toward world class standards. "If I haven't mentioned 'teachers' at least 10,000 times," he said, "then I haven't stressed it enough."

State Education Commissioner David Steiner is flanked by NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi and Vice President Maria Neira. Photo by El-wise Noisette.

'Smart' program gets grant

The state Board of Regents has accepted a $6 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to create a network of early college high schools in New York.

The "Smart Scholars" schools are designed to give students the support to speed up completion of high school while also earning college credits.

The program aims to increase high school and college graduation rates among students who historically fall into the achievement gap.

The program will direct the grants to partnerships of New York state colleges and school districts — especially districts serving students in high-needs schools — charter schools and BOCES.

Ed tech forums under way

Work begun earlier this year on a Statewide Educational Technology Plan for the University of the State of New York is continuing at a series of community forums across the state.

Dates and locations of the remaining forums are:

• Oct. 15 — Broome-Tioga BOCES
• Oct. 27 — UFT Headquarters, New York City
• Nov. 2 — Peru High School, Clinton County.

The draft plan can be found at www.regents.nysed.gov/meetings/2009Meetings/May2009/0509brd2.htm.

Registration information on the forums is accessible at www.emsc.nysed.gov/edtech/forums.html.

New home for TVHS

NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi was among the leaders from across the Capital Region cheering the recent grand opening of Tech Valley High School's new home on the East Campus of the University at Albany.

Tech Valley High, which opened in 2007, is a joint venture of Capital Region BOCES and Questar III BOCES. Students come from the seven counties those two BOCES represent.

The unique school partners with area businesses, technology firms and higher education to provide project-based learning experiences.