FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, April 24, 2007

For More Information Contact:
Jonathan Burman or Tom Dunn at (518) 474-1201
Internet:  http://www.nysed.gov

BOARD OF REGENTS APPROVE REGULATIONS
FOR CONTRACT FOR EXCELLENCE

The New York State Board of Regents today approved regulations for implementing the Contracts for Excellence contained in the recently enacted state budget.  The Contracts for Excellence require eligible school districts to take a significant portion of their state aid increase and spend it on one or more specific strategies that have been proven to increase student achievement. 
           
A list of the 55 school districts (including New York City) required to develop a Contract for Excellence is attached. 

This year the Contracts for Excellence will detail how districts spend $490 million, of which $317 million is directed to New York City.

Regents Chancellor Robert Bennett said, “This is a significant and important major effort that is just the beginning of the process.  The Board of Regents will continue to review and build upon this.  The Contracts for Excellence will be on the board agenda again in May, June, and July."

“The Regents quick action today will implement the state budget decision that brings an unprecedented increase in school aid together with accountability for results,” said Education Commissioner Mills. “It is part of an ongoing Regents effort to raise educational achievement to world-class standards.  There is no time to lose on this critical agenda.”

Under the regulations, school districts must identify specific problems to solve in their Contract for Excellence, and set targets for improvement.  The contracts will allow spending that is targeted at class size reduction, longer school day measures, improved teacher and principal quality, middle and high school restructuring, and full-day prekindergarten and kindergarten.  Fifteen percent of the spending can be targeted at research-based experimental programs.  Additional accountability measures will permit parents and the community to see where and how these funds are spent and what the results are. 

Contracts for Excellence will be submitted to do the Education Department in July for approval before the school year begins.  School districts with the contracts are those that have received either an increase in state aid greater than $15 million, or greater than 10%, and that also contain at least one School in Need of Improvement or one Requiring Academic Progress. 

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