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 ALBANY, N.Y. (October
1, 2009)
-- Emphasizing his commitment to make high standards and accountability
priorities as New York state's top education official, new State
Education Department Commissioner David M. Steiner, Ph.D., took his oath
of office at Pine Hills Elementary School on Thursday with the school's
fifth- and sixth-grade students playing prominent roles.
The Hon. Victoria Graffeo of
the New York State Court of Appeals administered the oath in the
school's cafe (pictured at right) after Dr. Steiner engaged about
100 Pine Hills Elementary students in a discussion about the important
role of an oath or promise in professions and in life.
Dr. Steiner pledged to work
to make New York an international model for excellence in education.
"I am honored to take this
oath today before these students, who represent the promise and
challenge faced in schools throughout the state," he said. "I look
forward to working with the Board of Regents, school leaders and parents
in every district across New York as we continue to raise standards,
improve accountability and work to transform education in New York into
a hub of innovation and best practices to boost student achievement."
Dr. Steiner selected Pine
Hills Elementary for the historic event in part because of the school's
strong academic progress in recent years.
The school is one of several
in the City School District of Albany that has been cited by the state
as "rapidly improving." Pine Hills Elementary has raised its overall
achievement on the state ELA and math tests each of the last four years,
and in 2009 was one of the highest-ranked schools in the district in
terms of the students' overall performance on the exams administered to
students beginning in third grade.
"This was an honor for our
learning community," said Principal Vibetta Sanders. "Our students and
teachers were excited about spending time with Commissioner Steiner and
Judge Graffeo. At Pine Hills we are always willing to share what we are
learning. We welcome future visits from the community."
 Six
Pine Hills Elementary students provided Dr. Steiner a guided tour of the
school (pictured at right in the computer lab) in advance of the
swearing-in ceremony, talking with the commissioner about their
classroom work and the themes of taking an oath and making a commitment.
The student tour guides
were:
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Shawn Franklyn
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Joseph Karandy
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Christain Maldonado
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Yahnn Mayben
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Anniejulita Okichy
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Sara Popp
Following the tour, Dr. Steiner joined the approximately 100 fifth- and
sixth-grade students and dozens of invited guests in the cafe. He engaged the students in a
discussion about keeping promises and honoring commitments.
Check out the State
Education Web site to watch video of Dr. Steiner's speech following
his oath, as well as a news conference at the conclusion of the
ceremony.
You also
can view photos from the ceremony.
Dr. Steiner is the 13th
education commissioner to serve New York since the position was created
in 1904. As commissioner, he serves as chief executive officer of the
State Education Department and as president of the University of the
State of New York.
The University of the State
of New York encompasses more than 7,000 public and independent
elementary and secondary schools; 270 public and independent colleges
and universities; 7,000 libraries; 900 museums; 25 public broadcasting
facilities; 3,000 historical repositories; 436 proprietary schools; 48
professions encompassing more than 761,000 licensees plus 240,000
certified educators; and services for children and adults with
disabilities.
The mission of the City School District of
Albany is to educate and nurture all students to be
responsible citizens, critical thinkers and lifelong learners to
successfully compete in the global community by providing an
academically rigorous and safe environment in partnership with parents,
students and the community. The district
serves approximately 8,400 students in 16
elementary, middle and high schools. In addition to neighborhood
schools, the district includes several magnet schools and programs, as
well as other innovative academic opportunities for students.
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