LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Rashid Ferrod Davis upon the occasion of
his designation for special recognition by the Black Caucus of the Coun-
cil for School Administrators on June 11, 2016

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 custom of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the
accomplishments of those distinguished educational leaders, whose dedi-
cation and achievements have been instrumental in developing character
and academic excellence in the young people of New York State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Rashid Ferrod Davis upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition by the Black Caucus of the Council for School Administra-
tors, to be celebrated at its Legendary Luncheon on Saturday, June 11,
2016, at Terrace on the Park, Flushing, New York; and
WHEREAS, Rashid Ferrod Davis is the Founding Principal of Pathways in
Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) who has more than 20 years
of experience working in the New York City Department of Education as a
teacher, assistant principal, and, most recently, the Principal of Bronx
Engineering and Technology Academy (BETA); and
WHEREAS, P-TECH is the first of what is now a network of more than 60
grades 9-14 schools across Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Mary-
land, New York and Texas; the continent of Australia is the first to
replicate P-TECH outside of the United States; and
WHEREAS, Launched in September of 2011, as a partnership between IBM,
the New York City Department of Education, the City University of New
York, and the New York City College of Technology, P-TECH was designed
to serve an unscreened population, with no admissions requirements
beyond showing interest; and
WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of Rashid Ferrod Davis, in June
of 2015, six P-TECH students graduated two years ahead of the full matu-
ration of the model, and in December an additional five graduated; each
of these 11 students were offered job opportunities with IBM; and
WHEREAS, On February 12, 2013, President Barack Obama mentioned P-TECH
in the State of the Union address, and in October of the same year, the
President visited the school, praising it as a vital institution which
should be available to all students in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Rashid Ferrod Davis has been invited to the White House and
participated in a session on High School Redesign with the Secretary of
the Department of Education, the Acting Secretary of the Department of
Labor, the Deputy Director of the Domestic Policy Council, and the
Director of the National Economic Council; he has also participated in a
brainstorming session with national leaders on STEM schools; and
WHEREAS, Rashid Ferrod Davis has mentored more than 15 aspiring school
building leaders through Baruch College's Scaffolded Apprenticeship
Model, Fordham University's Educational Leadership Program Enhancement
Project, the New York City Leadership Academy, New York City's Leaders
in Education Apprenticeship Program, Touro College, and the Center for
Integrated Teacher Education (CITE); and
WHEREAS, This esteemed man is a graduate of Morehouse College with
advanced degrees from Pace University, Teachers College, Columbia
University, and Fordham University; and
WHEREAS, In 2011, Rashid Ferrod Davis was one of the Council for
School Administrators' (CSA) members featured in its back to school

campaign; he is also a 2012 Cahn Fellow, Program for Distinguished New
York City Principals through Teachers College, Columbia University; and
WHEREAS, Rashid Ferrod Davis is the proud recipient of numerous awards
and accolades including the 2014 Distinguished Service Award, the Lewis
Hines Award from the National Child Labor Committee, and the 2015 New
York Daily News Education Hometown Hero; and
WHEREAS, The future success of our State and Nation is dependent upon
individuals such as Rashid Ferrod Davis, who dedicate their lives as
educators, nurturing our most precious resource, our youth; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to now record its
recognition and appreciation in honoring an outstanding educational
leader, whose dedication and achievements have been instrumental in
developing character and academic excellence in his students; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Rashid Ferrod Davis upon the occasion of his designation for
special recognition by the Black Caucus of the Council for School Admin-
istrators on June 11, 2016; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Rashid Ferrod Davis.