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State Suspends Proposed Background Check Program on Ammunition Buyers Indefinitely. (Database “Not Ready” Times Reports) Surprise: No Press Release on This One.
WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From a White Plains CitizeNetRepoter. July 13, 2015:
A reader writes that Governor Andrew Cuomo’s highly touted SAFE Act has had a key restriction suspended as a result of the efforts of the State Senate Majority Leader and Governor Cuomo’s Office, which she learned from a New York Times report.
The Governor’s office did not send out its usual press release on this decision which is their usual practice. that went into effect Friday, July 10, suspending the SAFE Act requirement that purchases of ammunition required a background check by the ammunition dealer.
According to the Times article:
The Times reported that Cuomo’s director of state operations, Jim Malatras, and Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan signed a memorandum of understanding suspending that part of the SAFE Act, which went into effect shortly after the Newtown, Conn,. attack occurred in December 2012.
The memorandum stated that there was “a lack of adequate technology” for the planned database of gun owners, the Times noted.
The complete Times Report may be read at
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/11/nyregion/plan-to-require-background-checks-for-ammunition-sales-is-suspended-in-new-york.html?&_r=0
Town of Greenburgh Offers Self-Defense Classes for Young People
WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. From Paul Feiner, Town of Greenburgh Supervisor.July 13, 2015:
To the Editor:
Sexual assaults on college campuses have become part of the national conversation. An estimated one in five women has been sexually assaulted during her college years –one in five, President Obama noted last September as he launched the “It’s on Us” campaign to prevent campus sexual assault.
What can be done? The New York State Board of Regents and the State Legislature should mandate that schools across New York State provide all Middle School and High School students with education on self defense techniques and situational awareness to help reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim of an attack. If students are taught self defense techniques as part of their athletic (gym) programs – young women will be in a better position to protect themselves if the need occurs.
In the meantime – I’d like to invite students to a free program that the Town of Greenburgh is sponsoring that is open to all: a series of self defense seminars will be held on Saturday July 25 and Saturday August 1 from 1-3pm at the administration building of Anthony F. Veteran Park, Heatherdell Road, Ardsley. Participants will learn basic self-defense techniques from Steve Sohn of Steve Sohn Krav Maga Muay Thai Fitness Training Center and hear a presentation from Officer Dandreano of the Greenburgh Police department. Officer Dandreano will be giving tips on how to stay situationally aware to avoid dangerous situations and instructing participants on the proper ways to react if they do find themselves in danger. This initiative will provide residents of all ages with the skills to stay safe in a variety of environments, from college campuses to local streets to the workplace.
Participants will learn basic strikes and moves that they will be able to use in a variety of settings and situations, both in and outside of Greenburgh. The hope is that we can enhance the safety of our residents both in their local neighborhoods and elsewhere by providing them with the skills to avoid dangerous situations.
Those who wish to participate should wear sneakers and athletic wear and tie long hair back. Participants will be required to sign a waiver (attached) and bring it on the day of the event. (Participants under 18 must have the waiver signed by a parent or guardian). To sign up, please email[email protected] with your name and age (or the name and age of your child). This program is being organized by Emily Salwen, a student intern.
PAUL FEINER
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AWARDS PREPARATION OF NEW GRADE 3-TO-8 ASSESSMENT TESTS TO QUESTAR–TAKES IT AWAY FROM PEARSON THE INTERNATIONAL TESTING GIANT
WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. From the New York State Education Department. July 9, 2015:
The State Education Department Thursday announced that Questar Assessment, Inc. will be awarded the contract to develop the State’s grades 3-8 ELA and mathematics assessments. The contract with Questar, Inc. must still be approved by the Attorney General and State Comptroller. The new contract, valued at approximately $44 million, will run for five years and include a district option to administer the tests on computers.
“Our students deserve the best, most accurate assessments we can give them,” Board of Regents Chancellor Merryl H. Tisch said. “Teachers and parents should have clear, practical information to help them help their students learn. Our goal is to continue to improve the assessments to make sure they provide the instructional support parents and teachers need to prepare our students for college and careers. This new contract also recognizes how vitally important it is to have New York State teachers involved in the test development process.”
“New York State teachers will be involved in every step of the test development process,” State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia said. “Teacher input is critical to building a successful state test, and that’s why the new contract emulates the collaborative process used to develop the Regents Exams.”
“Questar, Inc. will also provide computer based testing (CBT) platforms that will help reduce the need for stand-alone field tests, and more importantly, help make our assessments even better instructional tools.”
The new contract has two components.
Component 1 is for the development of grades 3–8 ELA and mathematics assessments and an operational bank of test items.
Component 2 is for the development of CBT (Computer Based Testing) capabilities for administration of grades 3–8 ELA and mathematics assessments.
The vendor must provide test administration and test delivery platforms that can be used by computers at New York State’s public, nonpublic, and charter schools. The vendor will move toward embedding all field test multiple-choice items in approximately 22-28 computer delivered operational test forms per grade level.
Under the terms of the contract, New York State teachers will be instrumental in the development of the assessments at several stages in the process.
Questar, Inc. is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and has offices in Brewster, NY. Questar, Inc. was awarded the contract through an RFP process. Four firms bid on the contract. The original RFP can be found at: http://www.p12.nysed.gov/compcontracts/15-008/home.html