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Education Council Seats Open to Parents

DOE Urges Participation In Process

Schools Chancellor Dennis M. Walcott announced the start of the 2013 Community and Citywide Education Council selection process.

Education councils play a role in shaping policies for the city’s public schools and provide advice to officials on the community-level impact of Department of Education (DOE) procedures and strategy.

The DOE undertakes Community and Citywide Education Council selection once every two years; this year, the DOE is seeking to increase the size of the parent applicant pool by providing a more transparent and informative process.

“Serving on a Community Educa- tion Council is among the best ways for parents to have their voices heard by the Department of Education,” said Walcott. “This is the perfect time for parents who may have not been engaged before in the education process to become informed and active. I encourage all parents to consider nominating themselves for a seat.”

Last October, the DOE’s Division of Family and Community Engagement launched a new website, NYCParentLeaders.org, which is a resource to help parents understand the structure and roles of the education councils. Information available on this website includes eligibility guidelines, key dates, and frequently asked questions.

Applicants will be able to apply either online or with paper ballots. Selectors-the presidents, treasurers, and recording secretaries of parent associations and parent-teacher associations- will also be able to cast their ballots online during the voting portion of the selection process. As a result of the DOE’s updated outreach efforts, more parents will have the tools necessary to run for a position on an education council.

“Serving on a Community Education Council provides an important opportunity to represent those most deserving of your time and attention -our students,” said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. “Even with all the challenges, there is no greater honor than representing your community and making Brooklyn a better place to live, work, raise a family-and learn.”

“As a former early childhood teacher, I know full well how important a parent’s role is in a child’s success in school,” added Queens Borough President Helen Marshall. “That’s one of the reasons that it is so important for parents to take an active role in the education council selection process. You can really make a difference.”

Parents serve a two-year term on 36 Councils throughout the city, in- cluding the Community Education Councils (CECs), Citywide Council on High Schools (CCHS), Citywide Council on English Language Learners (CCELL), Citywide Council on Special Education (CCSE), and the District 75 Citywide Council (D75 Council).

The CECs participate in shaping educational policies in their districts.

Their responsibilities include approving school zoning lines, holding hearings on the capital plan, and providing input on other important policy issues. Each CEC has nine members who are parents of students currently in grades kindergarten through eight in district schools.

The CCHS advises and comments on educational or instructional policy involving students attending public high schools. There are 10 elected members on the Citywide Council on High Schools, two from each borough. Each member must be the parent of a student currently attending public high school.

The CCELL advises and comments on policy involving bilingual and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs. There are nine elected members on the Citywide Council on English Language Learners. Each member must be the parent of a student currently receiving bilingual or ESL services.

The CCSE advises and comments on services for students with disabilities. There are nine elected members on the Citywide Council on Special Education. Each member must be the parent of a student currently receiving special education services.

The D75 Council advises and comments on educational policies that affect students with disabilities who attend D75 schools. There are nine elected members on the D75 Council. Each member must be the parent of a student currently enrolled in a D75 program.

The selection schedule is as follows:

Feb. 13-Mar. 13-Parents interested in running for a seat on a Council nominate themselves by completing an application online and by mail.

Apr. 8-25-District and borough parent leaders, along with the Department of Education, will host forums for parents to meet and ask questions of Council candidates.

May 1-14-Presidents, treasurers, and recording secretaries of parent associations and parent-teacher associations will select all of the new Community and Citywide Education Council Members for the 2013-2015 term.

Community and citywide Education Council Members for 2013-2015 will be announced and the selection results will be published online.

For more information, call 311 or visit schools.nyc.gov.