What is BOCES?

BOCES stands for Board of Cooperative Educational Services. BOCES is a public organization that was created by the New York State Legislature in 1948 to provide shared educational programs and services to school districts.

How does BOCES work?

BOCES services are created when two or more school districts decide they have similar needs that can be met by a shared program. BOCES helps school districts save money by providing opportunities to pool resources and share costs.

Sharing is a very economical way for districts to provide programs and services that they might not be able to afford otherwise. It is more efficient and less costly to operate one central service than it is to have separate programs in each school district. However, BOCES services are often customized, offering districts the flexibility to meet their individual needs.

Who makes the decision about which BOCES services to purchase?

Each year, local school districts review their district's needs and make decisions about BOCES services. Because district needs change every year, decisions about BOCES services may also change every year.

The decision to participate in BOCES services is based on the unique needs of each district. If the district doesn't need a BOCES service, it doesn't request it and does not have to pay for it.

 Why do school districts participate in BOCES services?

Because BOCES services are shared by two or more school districts, they cost much less than if districts provided the services on their own. Districts pool their resources, and share the savings.

In addition, New York State gives a financial incentive to participate in shared services, by offering BOCES state aid for BOCES services. Here is how BOCES state aid works:  

• Each district's Board of Education selects BOCES services for the current year.
• The following school year, a portion of the cost of BOCES services is returned to the district by the state of New York.
• The amount returned to the district is based on a formula that takes into account the district's financial resources.
• Money returned to the district is used as revenue. 
• How are BOCES services paid for?

Except for an administrative charge that is based on each school district's size, districts pay only for BOCES services they use. BOCES expenses are incorporated into each district's annual budget. State aid helps to offset some of the expenses, while others are directly funded by the state or federal government. BOCES has no taxing authority.

How is BOCES governed?

BOCES is governed just as local districts are governed - by a Board of Education that is made up of representatives from component school districts. Board members are responsible for curricular, financial, and other policy decisions, just as they are at the local level.

What kinds of programs does BOCES offer?

Every BOCES is a little different, depending on the needs of the local school districts.

Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES services fall within three major categories:

1) Instructional Programs

Career and Technical Education

Offers high school students an opportunity to explore any of a number of different career and technical fields. Relying heavily on school-based and work-based learning, students learn the skills they need for immediate employment or prepare for a career that requires further education. CTE courses are now going through an SED approval process that's not mandated, but does benefit students by making them eligible for a Regents Diploma with CTE endorsement. Students can also earn college credit or industry/trade association certification upon course completion. This year 1,053 students are enrolled in CTE programs.

Education for Exceptional Children

Provides programs to meet the needs of students with a variety of abilities which cannot be completely addressed by their local school districts. A wide range of educational opportunities is offered to expand and enrich learning for students with particular gifts and talents, to teach English to students with limited English proficiency, and to assist students with varying disabilities who require special instructional and support services. The latter is provided via a full range of classroom, itinerant and consultant services for 1,696 students from birth through 21 years of age. Emphasis is on helping students develop their full potential, whatever their talents or needs.

Center for Workforce Development

Serves the continuing education needs of adults in Monroe County with high school equivalency courses, full and part-time career training programs, literacy programs, personal development programs, customized workforce training, employment services and online certification examinations.

Regional Summer School

Provides instructional support to students in participating districts to help them meet graduation requirements and the New York State standards by extending their study to the summer months. Students may take high school remedial and new credit courses, exam preparation courses, walk-in tests and middle school academic courses.

Westside Jr./Sr. Academy

Meets the needs of students in grades seven through twelve who are unsuccessful in the larger Jr./Sr. high school setting. Class sizes are limited to approximately 15 students and the program meets the academic and social needs of students in innovative ways while maintaining high academic expectations. Staff also work closely with students and their families to deal with issues such as self-esteem, anger, and drug and alcohol and family problems. Westside Jr./Sr. Academy is small enough to ensure that each student feels cared about and successful.

2) Instructional Support

Communication and Technology Services

Focuses resources to help districts optimize the management and delivery of information through computers, print and multi-media. School-community relations, graphics and printing services help districts communicate with their key publics to ensure staff, parents and the community understand, have input, and help support educational goals for students. Technology staff provide technology planning and staff development, help schools integrate technology and instruction, and provide a test scoring and a data reporting service. Library Services supports library automation, provides media resources for classroom instruction and professional development, and provides online fee-based subscriptions to a wide range of instructional resources.

Elementary Science Program

Turns classrooms into a science laboratory for over 400,000 students across New York State. Students perform experiments and pursue ideas and investigations on their own initiative while the teacher provides individual attention and direction. The program is correlated to the New York State Learning Standards. Training is also provided on the implementation of the Standards for math, science and technology.

Department of Curriculum and Professional Development

Assists districts with long-range planning for school improvement, comprehensive district education planning, curriculum development, and professional development for teachers, administrators and curriculum specialists. Helps prepare and support new and novice teachers and administrators by providing ongoing coaching and support.

3) Offices for Finance, Human Resources and Labor Relations

Helps districts stretch available resources. Central services such as cooperative bidding, a minimum premium health insurance plan and self-funded workers compensation program, substitute calling, coaching certification, labor relations and negotiations, fingerprinting, and a student attendance program, help districts stretch scarce human and financial resources by saving hundreds of thousands of dollars on non-instructional, yet essential, services. Streamlined school operations leave administrators free to focus on direct instructional services.

BOCES 2 Overview (pdf file - 1,040kb)

Need help with downloading files?