The Department of Education is holding public hearings for parents, educators and others to comment on this year’s Contracts for Excellence plan. The C4E, as it is known, contains plans to provide help to the neediest students in seven areas: class size reduction, time on task, teacher and principal quality initiatives, middle school and high school restructuring, full-day pre-Kindergarten, and model programs for English Language Learners.

The Contract for Excellence process was established by the legislature after the State Court of Appeals agreed that the city and 20 other urban districts had been shortchanged for years by the state’s education funding formula. Additional funds are due to the city provided the DOE comes up with plans for their use. According to the State Education Department, “…the allocation of funds must continue to be for one of the seven C4E-allowable programs and must continue to predominantly benefit pupils with the greatest needs: i.e., (i) students with limited English proficiency and/or English language learners; (ii) students in poverty; (iii) students with disabilities; and (iv) students with low academic achievement.”

The hearings come on the heels of parent complaints that their input, required by law, has been solicited after the fact, rather than as participants in the planning process. According to the DOE, the hearings will provide feedback to help refine its final Contracts for Excellence plan.

Hosted by the DOE with each of the 32 Community District Education Councils the hearings will take place through November 21, with some scheduled as early as October 18, and some dates and locations still not set. Parents should to check the DOE site regularly for updates. The deadline for comment is November 23 and comments can also be submitted by sending e-mails to ContractsForExcellence@schools.nyc.gov