Community and Citywide Education Council
2011 – 2013 Election
General Information

What is a Community Education Council?

Community Education Councils (CECs) are education policy advisory bodies responsible for reviewing and evaluating schools’ instructional programs, approving zoning lines, and advising the Chancellor. CECs play an essential role in shaping education policies for the New York City public schools. Each CEC consists of nine elected parent volunteers who provide hands-on leadership and support for their community's public schools. Council members hold meetings at least every month with the superintendent and public at-large to discuss the current state of the schools in the district.

How many Community Education Councils are there?

There are 32 Community Education Councils (CECs) in New York City. Each CEC covers a Community School District that includes public elementary, intermediate, and junior high schools.

What is a Citywide Education Council?

Citywide Education Councils are education policy advisory bodies that represent the interests of high school students (the Citywide Council on High Schools), English Language Learners (the Citywide Council on English Language Learners), and special education students (the Citywide Council on Special Education and the District 75 Council). These Councils are responsible for advising and commenting on educational policies that involve the student communities represented by the Councils, issuing an annual report on the effectiveness of the city district in providing services to the represented student communities, and holding at least one meeting per month open to the public during which the public may discuss issues facing the represented student communities.

How many Citywide Councils are there?

There are four Citywide Education Councils. These are the Citywide Council on High Schools (CCHS), the Citywide Council on English Language Learners (CCELL), the Citywide Council on Special Education (CCSE) and the District 75 Council (D75 Council).

Who makes up these Councils?

Community Education Councils:
Nine (9) elected parent leaders who each have a child currently attending a public school in the district, or who attended a public school in the district within the preceding two years. At least one parent on the CEC must be the parent of an ELL student, and at least one must be the parent of a student with an IEP;
Two (2) residents and/or local business owners appointed by the borough president; and
One (1) non-voting high school senior who lives in the district and is an elected leader at his or her school.

Citywide Council on High Schools:
Ten (10) elected parent leaders (two from each borough, with children who attend high school in the borough that the parent represents);
One (1) member appointed by the Citywide Council on Special Education;
One (1) member appointed by the Citywide Council on English Language Learners;
One (1) member appointed by the Public Advocate; and
One (1) non-voting high school senior who is an elected leader at his or her school.

Citywide Council on English Language Learners
Nine (9) elected parent leaders who have a child enrolled in an English Language Learner (ELL) program;
Two (2) individuals appointed by the Public Advocate who have experience and/or knowledge in the education of English language learners; and
One (1) non-voting high school senior receiving English Language Learner services.

Citywide Council on Special Education
Nine (9) elected parent leaders who have a child with an Individualized Education Program (IEP);
Two (2) individuals appointed by the Public Advocate who have experience and/or knowledge in the areas of educating, training or employing individuals with handicapping conditions; and
One (1) non-voting high school senior receiving special education services.

District 75 Council
Nine (9) elected parent leaders who have a child attending a District 75 school;
Two (2) individuals appointed by the Public Advocate who have experience and/or knowledge in the areas of educating, training or employing individuals with handicapping conditions; and
One (1) non-voting high school senior attending a District 75 school.

How can I find my Community Education Council?

There is a Community Education Council (CEC) for each of the city’s 32 school districts. CECs have office locations in each of the 32 districts they represent. The four Citywide Councils have office locations in Long Island City. Information regarding school districts and Council contact information is available online at schools.nyc.gov.