Accurate as of August 31, 2021

Nassau BOCES programs provide instructional practices that are intellectually challenging, authentic to student experiences, recognize student strengths, and are differentiated and personalized to promote each student's academic success and well-being.

Reopening Mandatory Requirements

Nassau BOCES continuity of learning plan for the 2021-2022 school year is explained in the School Schedules section and prepares for the possibility of in-person, remote, and/or hybrid models of instruction.

Nassau BOCES educational programs provide curriculum and instruction which is aligned to the New York State Education Department which has established the student learning expectations (standards) for what all students should know and be able to do as a result of skilled instruction.

• Next Generation Learning Standards➚
• Career & Technical Standards➚
• Use a locally determined formative or diagnostic assessment to determine individual student needs and target extra help to ensure both academic and social-emotional needs are addressed.

Grading

Nassau BOCES' school/program will continue to provide students each marking period with a final grade which is based on classroom participation as well as a student's performance on assignments. 

School administration will develop grading procedures applicable to each model that are clear and transparent to students, parents, and caregivers as well as align clearly to the outcomes of the course and the State's learning standards and are approved by their respective Executive Director.

Assessment

Student evaluation is considered a positive tool to indicate achievement and development in each class or subject in which a student is enrolled. Nassau BOCES recognizes that the classroom teacher has the primary responsibility to evaluate students and determine student evaluation reports. The instructional models under the three school schedules (i.e., in-person, remote and hybrid) will assess students' learning adhering to Board Policy # 4710 Student Evaluation with a focus on:

• Preassessment and embedded formative assessments to inform instruction
• Build in time and opportunities for educators to collaborate and plan for the creation of preas­sessments
• Consider the testing accommodations and/or modification needs of some students with disabilities as reflected on their Individualized Education Program

Note, the New York State Department of Education will not administer any of this year's State assessments remotely. Therefore, if any tests are administered this school year, they must be in-person in school buildings. Similarly, all Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) required student assessments must be administered in-person to ensure testing security.

Nassau BOCES' educational programs provide multiple opportunities for interaction between teachers and students whether delivered in-person, remotely or through a hybrid model of instruction by providing:

• Meaningful and frequent interaction with an appropriately certified teacher as well as student-student interaction
• Instructional content that reflects academic expectations consistent with those which would be required for in-person instruction:
  • Synchronous Learning: Teaching and learning that happens in real time with direct simultaneous interaction between teachers and students through video and/or audio
  • Asynchronous Learning: Teaching and learning that does not happen in real time. Teachers plan activities and lessons that students access at flexible times throughout the day.
• Academic and other supports designed to meet the needs of the individual student
• Frequent verbal and/or written feedback
• Student-centered learning environments which affirm racial, linguistic, and cultural identities; prepare students for rigor and independent learning, develop students' abilities to connect across lines of difference; elevate historically marginalized voices; and empower students as agents of social change utilizing the Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Teaching Framework➚.
• Utilize Microsoft Teams online platform to:
  • Provide face to face interactive synchronous learning during remote instruction
  • Complete online modules or tasks
  • View instructional videos
  • Respond to posts or teacher's questions
  • Engage with other class participants in an online or phone discussion
  • Conduct research and/project-based projects
  • Communicate using chat feature
  • Share instructional content using the channel feature
  • Create immersive classroom resources using PowerPoint
• Virtual field trips
• Students and families with Virtual tours, meetings and open houses whenever an in-person meeting is not possible

Equity is at the heart of all Nassau BOCES instructional decisions. All instruction is developed so that whether delivered in-person, remotely, or through a hybrid model due to a local or state school closure, there are clear opportunities for instruction that are accessible to all students. Instruction is aligned with State standards and include routine scheduled times for students to interact and seek feedback and support from their teachers. To learn more see the School Schedule section of this plan which provides an example of an instructional day.

Nassau BOCES has created a clear communication plan for how students and their families/caregivers can contact the school and teachers with questions about their instruction and/or technology. This information needs to be accessible to all, available in multiple languages based on BOCES need, widely disseminated, and include clear and multiple ways for students and families to contact schools and teachers (e.g., email, online platform, and/or by phone).

Nassau BOCES works with a number of organizations to provide quality Career and Technical Education (CTE) internships, work-based learning experiences and NYS required professional experience for certification programs. We will require all organizations working with Nassau BOCES to provide a copy of their New York Forward Business Safety Plan which affirms they are in full compliance with DOH and CDC health requirements.

Return to 2020-21 Agency Reopening Plan main page.