Chancellor Walcott Encourages All Parents To Consider This Important Opportunity
 
New York City Schools Chancellor Dennis M. Walcott today announced the start of the 2013 Community and Citywide Education Council Selection Process. Education Councils play a crucial role in shaping policies for New York City's public schools, and provide valuable advice to officials on the community-level impact of Department of Education procedures and strategy. The DOE undertakes Community and Citywide Education Council Selection once every two years; this year, the DOE is seeking to increase the size of the parent applicant pool by providing a more transparent and informative process.
 
"Serving on a Community Education Council is among the best ways for parents to have their voices heard by the Department of Education," said Chancellor Walcott. "This is the perfect time for parents who may have not been engaged before in the education process to become informed and active. I encourage all parents to consider nominating themselves for a seat."

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 members who are parents of students currently in grades K-8 in district schools.

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 currently attending public high school.

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 currently receiving bilingual or ESL services.

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 currently receiving special education services.

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 currently enrolled in a D75 program.
 
Selection Schedule:
February 13, 2013 through March 13, 2013 - Parents interested in running for a seat on a Council nominate themselves by completing an application online and by mail.

April 8, 2013 through April 25, 2013 - District and borough parent leaders, along with the Department of Education, will host forums for parents to meet and ask questions of Council candidates.

May 1, 2013 through May 14, 2013 - Presidents, Treasurers, and Recording Secretaries of Parent Associations and Parent-Teacher Associations will select all of the new Community and Citywide Education Council Members for the 2013-2015 term.
 
Community and citywide Education Council Members for 2013-2015 will be announced and the selection results will be published online.