Planning Process

All component districts of a are working together with their District Superintendent to develop a regional plan and set of recommendations that creates and enhances educational opportunities for ALL students. Non-BOCES component districts and local stakeholders are invited to participate in the regional convenings to contribute their insights, ideas, and recommendations for the regional plan.

Regional plans and recommendations will be collaboratively developed by each of the 37 Sole Supervisory Districts ("regions") of the state by following the five steps outlined below. This process will be completed every 10 years, establishing a mechanism for continual improvement in �� schools.��

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5 Step Planning Process

Step 1. Strengths & Needs Review

Each component district of the state's Sole Supervisory Districts will complete a formal review using a Strengths & Needs Tool provided by NYSED to determine the types of efforts and supports needed to improve student opportunities as well as their school and district operational efficiencies, with the goal of ensuring that each student can meet the vision of a high school graduate portrayed in the �� Portrait of a Graduate in the �� Blue Ribbon Commission on Graduation Measures.

See our "Materials & Guidance" page for the Strengths & Needs Tool and Guidance.

OWNER	RESPONSIBILITIES
NYSED	Develops and disseminates a strengths & needs tool in a form, manner, and platform as directed by the Commissioner, to be released in the summer of 2024. Creates and disseminates FAQ/guidance. Provides technical assistance and data. Shares the regional results with District Superintendents.
District Superintendent	Works with component districts to ensure completion of the Strengths & Needs Tool. Analyzes district data and information for the Sole Supervisory District and region at large.
School District	Collects and summarizes the strengths and needs of the district via the Strengths & Needs Tool provided by NYSED. Submits the Strengths & Needs Tool to NYSED. Meets with the District Superintendent to discuss aggregate needs from the region and develop recommendations.

*UPDATED 10/16/24*��Strengths & Needs Tool Deadline Extended to December 6, 2024

Step 2. Regional Convenings and Stakeholder Engagement

Across ��, component districts will engage in local discussions with other districts and stakeholders in their Sole Supervisory District with the goal of developing regional plans and recommendations for creating and enhancing equitable access to opportunities and supports for ALL students. Non-BOCES component districts and local stakeholders will be invited to participate in the conversations. The discussions will be facilitated by the District Superintendents who serve as representatives of the Commissioner of Education.

See our “Materials & Guidance” page for facilitator guidance and post-convening tools.

OWNER	RESPONSIBILITIES
NYSED	Provides technical assistance and data, as needed.
District Superintendent	Convenes all component districts (and any non-component school districts who voluntarily participate) within the Sole Supervisory District. Ensures direct participation. Leads conversations to process the data from the Strengths & Needs Tool (Step 1) and explores additional needs and innovative collaborative opportunities. Serves as a point of contact for NYSED regarding any technical assistance or data needs relating to the convenings.
School District	The superintendent of each component district and other personnel attend and participate in each convening.

First Convening to Occur No Later than November 1, 2024

Step 3. Regional Interim Progress Report

The District Superintendent, in collaboration with the component districts, will lead the writing of the interim progress report based on data and ideas discussed at the convenings. These reports will provide NYSED with information that could help shape budget and legislative priorities, lead to policy or regulation changes, as well as prompt the Department to provide new or additional types of support for the planning process.

See our “Materials & Guidance” page for Interim Report Template and Guidance.

OWNER	RESPONSIBILITIES
NYSED	Provides technical assistance and data, as needed.�� Develops a form/template for the interim progress report and regionalization plans, to be released by the fall of 2024.�� Reviews, analyzes, and provides feedback on interim progress reports to all District Superintendents by May 31, 2025.�� Collects innovative ideas and approaches and shares them with the field.��
District Superintendent	Facilitates discussion among component districts towards the development of a comprehensive regional plan and set of recommendations.�� Supports component districts as needed.�� Works with bordering Sole Supervisory Districts and districts on regional efforts if applicable.�� Submits the interim progress report to NYSED.��
School District	Engages in conversations with districts.�� Collaborates with the District Superintendent in the development of the regional plan and recommendations.��

Interim Progress Report Due by April 1, 2025

Step 4. Regional Plan and Recommendations Development

The District Superintendent, in collaboration with the component districts, will lead the writing of the final regional plan and recommendations and submit to NYSED. NYSED will review the plan and determine if the plan sufficiently ensures that all students in the region have equitable access to high-quality educational opportunities.

See our “Materials & Guidance” page for Final Plan Template and Guidance.

OWNER	RESPONSIBILITIES
NYSED	Provides technical assistance, as needed.�� Reviews and provides feedback on submitted plans by November 30, 2025.�� Approves final version of the plan for implementation.��
District Superintendent	Works with NYSED and component districts to address feedback from NYSED on the interim reports and implement edits as needed.�� Submits the regional plan and recommendations to NYSED.��
School District	Works with the District Superintendent to address feedback from NYSED on the interim reports and implement edits as needed.

Final Plans Due by October 1, 2025

Step 5. Regional Plan Implementation of Activities

Regional plans will commence implementation no later than the start of school year (SY) 2026-2027.

OWNER	RESPONSIBILITIES
NYSED	Provides ongoing technical assistance, data, and evaluative metrics regarding implementation.�� Reviews and approves any plan amendments, if applicable.�� Conducts site visits and shares effective practices statewide.��
District Superintendent	Works with components districts to ensure that applicable activities from the regional plans are implemented at the beginning of SY 2026-2027.�� Facilitates the submission of any plan amendments to NYSED, if applicable.��
School District	Works with the District Superintendent to implement activities from the regional plans at the beginning of SY 2026-2027, as applicable.�� Works with the District Superintendent to develop any plan amendments for NYSED review/approval, as appropriate.��

To Commence No Later than the Beginning of SY 2026-2027

Timeline

This process is designed around 10-year implementation cycles. Initial planning follows the ��timeline below (2024-2034).

NOVEMBER 01, 2024	–	Strengths & Needs Tool from Each Component District Due to NYSED
DECEMBER 06, 2024	–	Extended Deadline for Strengths & Needs Tool UPDATED 10/16/24
BEGINNING NOVEMBER 01, 2024	–	Regional Convenings Facilitated by District Superintendents
APRIL 01, 2025	–	Interim Progress Reports Due to NYSED
OCTOBER 01, 2025	–	Final Regional Plans and Recommendations Due to NYSED
FALL 2026	–	Regional Plan Implementation Begins
FALL 2034	–	New Cycle Commences

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Regionalization