The East Ramapo monitors will hold a community forum Oct. 1.

The monitors say they want to hear directly from the East Ramapo community, including from parents, educators, students, and interested community stakeholders. They've already visited several schools, met with school and elected officials, and talked informally with parents and community activists, they said on their blog.

Appointed by the state Board of Regents and Education Department, the monitor team says, " Our goal is for action to take place long term and short term." So far what they've found that they've shared with state officials is that East Ramapo students are doing worse, in terms of graduation rates and test results, than the most needy urban and suburban districts in New York, and much worse than the Rockland and state average. SEE: Reactions to New East Ramapo Monitor: Caution, Suspicion, Hope

The forum will run from 7-9 p.m. at the Town of Ramapo Cultural and Performing Arts Center (64 N. Main Street, Spring Valley). There's parking available in the Memorial Park Parking Lot. Click for the monitors' powerpoint presentation to the Board of Regents.

Click for the monitors' blog.