Research Study: Teacher Supply in New York: Pathways, Placement, and Retention
Teacher shortages are prevalent in specific districts and content areas in New York State. For this study, REL Northeast & Islands is working with the New York State Education Department to examine certification pathways by which new teachers enter the workforce, the content areas of their certificates, where new teachers are employed, and their retention rates. Researchers are also examining the extent to which teachers with at least one year of experience obtain multiple certificates, thereby enabling them to teach in more than one subject, and their subsequent retention rates. Learn more.
Research Study: A Descriptive Analysis of Expanded Pathways to Graduation in New York State
As part of a transition to new college and career readiness standards, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) in 2015 added a new “4+1” option by which students could earn the state’s prestigious Regents diploma. Previously, graduating high school students had to pass five required statewide Regents exams to earn a Regents diploma. Now students have the option of taking Regents exams in four core academic areas (English, mathematics, science, and social studies), and completing the fifth exam requirement with an approved, non-Regents but comparably rigorous assessment in areas that include the arts and career and technical education. For this study, REL Northeast & Islands worked with NYSED to examine Regents diploma attainment rates in the state after implementation of the policy, particularly among groups of students with historically low graduation rates. Results of the study provided timely information to NYSED and the New York State Board of Regents as they monitor the outcomes of the new policy to determine whether or not the intended groups of students are using the 4+1 graduation pathway, and which pathways and assessments students use. Learn more.