LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Dr. Sheila Evans-Tranumn for her contin-
ued service and dedication to the children and families of New York
State

WHEREAS, New York State's commitment to education is unparalleled; its
history and stature are secured by the superlative caliber of its educa-
tional professionals and the students they inspire; and
WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to take note of
and publicly acknowledge individuals of remarkable integrity and charac-
ter whose endeavors have enhanced the growth of education in the great
Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Dr.
Sheila Evans-Tranumn for her continued service and dedication to the
children and families of New York State; and
WHEREAS, A woman of singular distinction, Dr. Sheila Evans-Tranumn has
continually demonstrated extreme competence, extraordinary intelligence
and diligent leadership in her unwavering service to her profession and
the children and families of New York State; in recognition of her
extraordinary service a celebration will be held in her honor on Friday,
March 12, 2010, at Stage 6 at Steiner Studios, Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Sheila Evans-Tranumn, former Associate Commissioner for
the New York State Education Department, has dedicated her career to
making the entire community "accountable" for its schools; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Tranumn was charged with the statewide responsibility for
"School Accountability" across the board, from schools performing way
above standard to those "furthest from the standard"; her first priority
was to ensure that all children improve by holding all adults involved
in the state's educational plans "accountable"; and
WHEREAS, Under Dr. Tranumn's able leadership, New York State annually
took 18 schools off its probationary list, 12 of them in the city; and
WHEREAS, She attributed much of this success to a program called
"extended time" where teachers work 15% longer and cover more ground,
proving that students can indeed learn, even under dire conditions; the
results grew from the "privatization" initiative, which she credits with
moving accountability to the forefront; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Dr. Tranumn was responsible for overseeing state
efforts at school improvement and developing action plans for a number
of programs, including SURR (Schools Under Registration Review), New
York State Pre-kindergarten, Community Schools, Extended Day, Improving
Pupil Performance, Categorical Reading, Early Grade Intervention, Home-
less Youth, Parent Involvement, Reading Excellence, Title I Compensatory
Education and the Early Grade Class Size Reduction Program; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Tranumn, who is a graduate of North Carolina Central
University, has a Master's from Long Island University and is working
toward her doctorate at NYU; she received an honorary degree from
Medgars Evers College; she was with the State Education Department from
1993 to 2010; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of her efforts of in-depth magnitude, Dr.
Tranumn is the recipient of numerous awards for excellence in education
and is listed in various WHO'S WHO for prominent educators, women, black
Americans and urban leaders; she also hosted the weekly television
program, Education Dialogue, that aired on Channel 25 (WNYE-TV); and
WHEREAS, Educators like Dr. Tranumn provide a tremendous service to
the future of our State and Nation, inspiring generations of young
people in their educational journeys and ensuring their success in their
future years; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Tranumn has clearly had an enduring impact on the youth
of the New York State, as well as on the community-at-large, and accord-
ingly merits recognition and applause for her impressive dedication to
others; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend the
efforts of those individuals who work to support our proud tradition of
public education by providing their skills and talents to our schools;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Dr. Sheila Evans-Tranumn for her continued service and dedication
to the children and families of New York State; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dr. Sheila Evans-Tranumn.