Testing/Assessments & Learning Standards
July 12, 2018

Fact Sheet 18-10: Next Generation Learning Standards in New York State

Source: NYSUT Research & Educational Services

At their September 2017 meeting, the Board of Regents adopted the P-12 New York State Next Generation Learning Standards for English language arts (ELA) and Mathematics. The NY State Next Generation ELA and Math Standards (Revised 2017) consist of revisions, additions, deletions, vertical movement and clarifications.

This Fact Sheet includes resources to compare the changes between the 2011 Common Core Learning Standards and the 2017 Next Generation Learning Standards, a timeline for implementation of the Next Generation Standards and assessments, advice to local leaders, and ELA and math resources.

Background

New York’s Student Learning Standards
In 1996 New York State adopted 28 subject area learning standards to define what students should know and be able to do in each subject. The subject areas include: The Arts; Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS); English Language Arts; Health, Physical Education, and Family and Consumer Science; Languages other than English; Mathematics, Science, and Technology; and Social Studies. ELA and Mathematics standards were revised and adopted in 2005.

New York was one of 45 states across the nation to voluntarily adopt the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy and Mathematics. January 10, 2011, the Board of Regents approved recommended additions to the New York State P-12 Common Core Learning Standards in ELA/Literacy and Mathematics and new Prekindergarten  Standards for both ELA & Literacy and Mathematics. By school year 2012-2013, classroom instruction and assessments were to be fully aligned to the New York State P-12  Common Core Learning Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy and Mathematics.

New York State faced many challenges in implementing the Common Core Learning Standards, including finding adequate fiscal resources, building state and local school district capacity to support implementation of Common Core Learning Standards in the classroom, and providing teachers with professional development that lead to the improvement of teaching and learning. Systemic alignment of standards, curriculum, instruction and assessments and practitioner input in to the entire CCLS implementation process was missing.

Key Recommendations for New ELA and Math Standards

  • There were key recommendation in the 2015 report of the NYSUT Task Force on Standards, Modules and Assessments which included - standards should be periodically reviewed by practitioners representing urban, suburban and rural schools and practitioners and other key stakeholders need to be engaged in establishing developmentally-appropriate New York State ELA and Math Learning Standards.
  • The Governor’s Task Force on Common Core Standards recommended adopting locally-driven high quality New York education standards with input from local districts,  educators, and parents through a transparent and open process that are age-appropriate and allow educators flexibility for Students with Disabilities and English Language Learners.
  • Chapter 20 of the Laws of 2015, requires the Commissioner of Education to conduct a review every five years of the New York State P-12 Common Core Learning Standards for Mathematics and English Language Arts (ELA) and the Grades 6 – 12 Literacy Standards in History/Social Studies, Science, and the Technical Subjects.

Next Generation Learning Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics

The Next Generation Learning Standards for Mathematics and English Language Arts were developed by a combination of teachers, administrators and parents. Full alignment of the New York State Common Core Standards began in the 2012-2013 school year. The Common Core Standards implementation reiterated the necessity of teacher involvement in all phases of standards implementation; something that was sorely missing.

The New York State Next Generation Learning Standards for English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics (Revised 2017) were developed through numerous phases of public comment as well as virtual and face-to-face meetings with committees consisting of NY State educators, teachers of English Language Learners/Multilingual Learners and Students with Disabilities, parents, curriculum specialists, school administrators, college professors, and experts in cognitive research.

NYSUT members participated in the NY State Education Department (SED) revision process and surveys, comments and workgroups, including an early childhood workgroup. NYSUT Subject Area Committees review of the draft Next Generation Standards was incorporated in the development of the revised Next Generation Learning Standards for ELA and Math.

The Board of Regents voted to approve the Next Generation Learning Standards for English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics at their September 2017 Board of Regents Meeting.

  • Download the full fact sheet for Professional Learning Team and Implementation Roadmaps as well as Next Generation Standards Resources.

TM/ES/mc-105453
July 2018