Report of Regents Higher Education Committee to The Board of Regents

The Higher Education Committee held its scheduled meeting on October 3, 2022.  All members were present except Regent Shino Tanikawa, who was excused.

MATTERS NOT REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

Proposed Amendment of Sections 52.21 and 80-3.7 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Relating to the Student Teaching Requirements for Registered Teacher Preparation Programs and Through the Individual Evaluation Pathway to Certification [HE (D) 3] - Department staff presented proposed regulatory amendments to revise the new student teaching requirements for candidates who enroll in a registered teacher preparation program in Fall 2023 or later, including requirements related to the length of student teaching, multiple certificates, full-time status, and library media specialist programs; and extend the timeline to implement the new student teaching requirements for programs, and the corresponding new teaching experience requirements for the individual evaluation pathway to certification, by one year.

Proposed Amendment of Section 87.2(k) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Relating to the Definition of “Prospective School Employee” [HE (D) 1] - Department staff presented proposed amendments to Part 87 of the Commissioner’s regulations related to the definition of a “prospective school employee” who must be fingerprinted and cleared for employment by the Department. The proposed revision clarifies that a “prospective school employee” includes an individual who will reasonably be expected by a covered school to provide services which involve communication or interaction directly with students under the age of 21 via digital or audio-based technology.

Proposed Amendment of Section 145-2.4 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Relating to the Deferment of the Declaration of a Major by Matriculated Students for State Financial Air Purposes [HE (D) 2-Revised] - Department staff presented a proposed amendment to Commissioner’s regulation to extend the time within which a student who enters a 2-year or 4-year college program with a significant number of college credits must declare a major so a not to prematurely disqualify him or her from state financial aid.

Deputy Commissioner William Murphy reviewed the items on the Consent Agenda.