March 30, 2011
By Stephanie West
Schools Chancellor Cathie Black today launched the 2011 Community and Citywide Education Council Elections. Applications are posted online for parents interested in serving on 1 of 36 Councils: the Community Education Councils, Citywide Council on High Schools, Citywide Council on English Language Learners, Citywide Council on Special Education or District 75 Council. For the first time, parents can text “APPLY” to 877877 to receive application information, in addition to filling out and submitting their applications online or via mail (standard text messaging rates apply).
“I encourage parents who want to have a role in influencing policy to run for Council seats in this year’s elections,” Chancellor Black said. “It is important that the voices of parents are heard as we continue a citywide conversation about educational policy and how we can best raise student achievement.”
“We want our CEC membership to reflect a cross-section of our school communities and the diversity of our student population,” said Ojeda Hall, Director of the Office for Family Information and Action. “This is a great opportunity for parents who have not been engaged before in the education process to become informed and active.”
The 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 parent members selected by the Presidents, Treasurers, and Recording Secretaries of Parent Associations Parent Teacher Associations in every district.
The 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 attending public high school.
The 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 receiving bilingual or ESL services.
The 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 with disabilities.
The 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 enrolled in a D75 program.
Community and Citywide Council Members are elected to a two year term. The Community Education Councils, Citywide Council on High Schools, Citywide Council on English Language Learners, Citywide Council on Special Education, and District 75 Council election schedule:
