Superintendent outlines state Blue Ribbon Commission changes to diploma model and timeline

At a board of education meeting, Mr. Rydell, superintendent of schools, reviewed the New York State Education DepartmentBlue Ribbon Commissioninitiative and what district officials should expect in coming years.

He told the board the commissionis examining the statediploma model and "how do we, as a state, have all students graduating with one diploma but with multiple pathways to get to that," and said the commission is also looking at assessments, cultural competency and career- and college-readiness.

The Blue Ribbon Commission proposes a single diploma with multiple seals and endorsements tied to studentscoursework and experiences, Mr. Rydell said. He noted two state-offered seals currently exist: the seal of civic readiness and the seal of biliteracy. "One diploma with the seals and endorsements that are specific to that student's experiences," he said.

Why it…