Meeting of the Board of Regents | December 2007

THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234

 

TO:
FROM:	Johanna Duncan-Poitier
SUBJECT:	Proposed Amendment to the Regulations of the Commissioner Relating to Local High School Equivalency Programs
DATE:	November 16, 2007
STRATEGIC GOAL:	Goals 1 and 2
AUTHORIZATION(S):

 

SUMMARY

 

Issue for Discussion

 

Should the Board of Regents amend section 100.8 of the Commissioner's Regulations to extend the provision allowing the award of a local high school equivalency diploma based on experimental programs?

 

Reason(s) for Consideration

 

Implementation of Regents policy.

             

Proposed Handling

 

The question will come before the Regents EMSC-VESID Committee for discussion in December and will be submitted for approval at the January 2008 Regents meeting.

 

Procedural History

 

Not applicable.

 

 

 

Background Information

 

The proposed amendment extends, through June 30, 2011, the existing regulation that allows boards of education to award a local high school equivalency diploma.  The extension of this regulation is consistent with Commissioner's Regulation 100.5 that extends the ability for school districts to issue local diplomas through June 30, 2011.  The extension will allow the continuance of the External Diploma Program (EDP), which is a complete assessment program that allows adults over age 21 to demonstrate and document the outcomes and transferable skills for which a high school diploma is awarded. The EDP is a competency-based, applied performance assessment system which capitalizes on an adult's life experiences and uses a practical application of learning for assessment through such methods as simulations, authentic demonstration, research projects, hands-on interviews and oral interviews.  An EDP candidate must demonstrate a job skill and the competencies that align with the skills needed to function effectively in the workplace. All competencies require 100 percent mastery.

 

A Notice of Proposed Rule Making was published in the State Register on November 7, 2007. 

 

Recommendation

 

It is recommended that the Regents EMSC-VESID Committee reach consensus on the intent of the proposed amendment prior to taking action at its January 2008 meeting.

 

Timetable for Implementation

 

It is anticipated that the proposed rule will be submitted to the Board of Regents for adoption at the January 2008 Regents meeting, with an effective date of February 7, 2008.

 

Attachment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AMENDMENT TO REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION

              Pursuant to Education Law sections 101, 207, 208, 209, 305, 309 and 3204

Section 100.8 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended, effective February 7, 2008, as follows:

Boards of education specified by the commissioner may award a local high school equivalency diploma based upon experimental programs approved by the commissioner until [January 31, 2008 ] June 30, 2011, after which date such boards may no longer award a local high school equivalency diploma.