NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION KICKS OFF
2013 COMMUNITY AND CITY
EDUCATION COUNCIL SELECTION PROCESS
Chancellor Walcott Encourages All Parents To Consider This Important
Opportunity
New York City Schools Chancellor Dennis M. Walcott today announced the start
of the 2013 Community and Citywide Education Council Selection Process.
Education Councils play a crucial role in shaping policies for New York
City’s public schools, and provide valuable advice to officials on the
community-level impact of Department of Education 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 Education Council is among the best ways for parents to have their voices heard by the Department of Education,” said Chancellor 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.”
In October 2012, the DOE’s Division of Family and Community Engagement
launched a new website, NYCParentLeaders.org, which is a key 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.”
“Parents must be engaged in their children’s education and greater school
community, and the CEC is a great way to get involved,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “I encourage Bronx parents to become active and take on leadership roles by participating in the upcoming Council Elections.”
“As a former Early Childhood teacher, I know full well how important a
parent’s role is in a child’s success in school,” said 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, including the Community Education Councils, Citywide Council on High Schools, Citywide Council on English Language Learners, Citywide Council on Special Education, and the District 75 Citywide Council.
Community Education Councils (CEC)
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 K-8 in district schools.
Citywide Council on High Schools (CCHS)
The CCHS advises and comments on educational or instructional policy
involving students attending public high schools. There are ten 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.
Citywide Council on English Language Learners (CCELL)
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.
Citywide Council on Special Education (CCSE)
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.
District 75 Citywide Council (D75 Council)
The 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.
Selection Schedule:
February 13, 2013 through March 13, 2013 – Parents interested in running for a seat on a Council nominate themselves by completing an application online and by mail.
April 8, 2013 through April 25, 2013 – 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, 2013 through May 14, 2013 – 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.