City Schools, March 2009

Q+A with Paul King, Executive Director for the Office of the Arts and Special Projects

Q. You recently became Executive Director of the Office of the Arts and Special Projects . Explain your role and the kind of work your office does. How does the office support schools?

A. We work most specifically with teachers in the arts, so we do ongoing professional development with teachers in all four arts: dance, music, visual arts, and theater. We’re also responsible for curriculum development in those areas. Additionally, we do a lot of work with school leaders. That means either working with school leadership teams or directly with the principals and helping them engage with art instruction—what it should look like, what kind of resources and materials they need, how to staff those programs. Additionally, we’re increasing our focus on what student achievement in the arts looks like and how we work with community partners and schools to achieve quality instruction.

Read the whole story.
Young Scientists Ready for Intel Competition

Eighteen young scientists from New York City public schools are heading to Reno, Nevada in May for the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.

The teens were among 176 public school students displaying their research at the New York City Science and Engineering Fair at the American Museum of Natural History on March 25.

Among the winning projects are a new approach to chemotherapy for breast cancer tumors; a new method for Lasik surgery; and how the over expression of BubR1 can produce Aneuploidy in human cells.

Read the whole story.
Eighth Grade Students Get a Leg Up In High School Math

Every weekend, more than 200 New York City students head to public school classrooms to prepare for the State’s Integrated Algebra Regents exam. But unlike the ninth and tenth-graders who are preparing for the rigorous June exam, these students haven’t even started high school.

Students at eight public middle schools are participating in the Department of Education’s Middle School Regents Initiative, a program that provides eighth-graders in some of the City’s highest-needs middle schools with the opportunity to learn advanced algebra and take the Regents exam before beginning high school. The program is part of the Department’s Campaign for Middle School Success, a comprehensive effort launched by the DOE last year to improve academic achievement in the City’s middle schools—both among students who have fallen behind and among more advanced students who require accelerated learning.

Read the whole story.

About Us About Our Schools Frequently Asked Questions Funding Our Schools Data About Schools DOE Leadership News About NYC Schools In Our Schools Press Releases City Schools Newsletter Academics Choices & Enrollment Schools in the Community Offices & Programs Rules & Policies Student Support, Safety & Activities Performance & Accountability	City Schools, March 2009 Q+A with Paul King, Executive Director for the Office of the Arts and Special Projects Q. You recently became Executive Director of the Office of the Arts and Special Projects . Explain your role and the kind of work your office does. How does the office support schools? A. We work most specifically with teachers in the arts, so we do ongoing professional development with teachers in all four arts: dance, music, visual arts, and theater. We’re also responsible for curriculum development in those areas. Additionally, we do a lot of work with school leaders. That means either working with school leadership teams or directly with the principals and helping them engage with art instruction—what it should look like, what kind of resources and materials they need, how to staff those programs. Additionally, we’re increasing our focus on what student achievement in the arts looks like and how we work with community partners and schools to achieve quality instruction. Read the whole story. Young Scientists Ready for Intel Competition Eighteen young scientists from New York City public schools are heading to Reno, Nevada in May for the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. The teens were among 176 public school students displaying their research at the New York City Science and Engineering Fair at the American Museum of Natural History on March 25. Among the winning projects are a new approach to chemotherapy for breast cancer tumors; a new method for Lasik surgery; and how the over expression of BubR1 can produce Aneuploidy in human cells. Read the whole story. Eighth Grade Students Get a Leg Up In High School Math Every weekend, more than 200 New York City students head to public school classrooms to prepare for the State’s Integrated Algebra Regents exam. But unlike the ninth and tenth-graders who are preparing for the rigorous June exam, these students haven’t even started high school. Students at eight public middle schools are participating in the Department of Education’s Middle School Regents Initiative, a program that provides eighth-graders in some of the City’s highest-needs middle schools with the opportunity to learn advanced algebra and take the Regents exam before beginning high school. The program is part of the Department’s Campaign for Middle School Success, a comprehensive effort launched by the DOE last year to improve academic achievement in the City’s middle schools—both among students who have fallen behind and among more advanced students who require accelerated learning. Read the whole story.	Contacts For more information about City Schools, or if you have a story idea, contact Jane Pook. Click here if you'd like to subscribe to City Schools or other DOE publications