Report of Regents Higher Education Committee to The Board of Regents

Your Higher Education Committee held its scheduled meeting on December 12, 2017.  All members were present.

Action Items

MOTION FOR ACTION BY FULL BOARD

Madam Chancellor and Colleagues:  Your Higher Education Committee recommends, and we move, that the Board of Regents act affirmatively upon each recommendation in the written report of the Committee’s deliberations at its meeting on December 12, 2017, copies of which have been distributed to each member of the Board of Regents.

Matters Not Requiring Board Action:

Proposed Amendments to Part 30 of the Regents Rules and Section 52.21 and Part 80 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Relating to a New Certification Area and Tenure Area for Computer Science

Your Committee discussed proposed amendments to Part 30 of the Regents Rules and Section 52.21 and Part 80 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education relating to a new certification area and tenure area for computer science. The amendment will establish a computer science certificate title that spans all grade levels in response to the growing need and desire to prepare students to succeed in a world with constantly evolving computer technologies. The amendments include adding computer science as a “special subject” tenure area and a provision that will “grandfather” in those currently teaching computer science. Following the 45-day public comment period required under the State Administrative Procedure Act, it is anticipated that the proposed amendments will come back to the Board of Regents at its March 2018 meeting. If adopted at the March 2018 meeting, the proposed amendment will become effective on March 28, 2018.  HE (D) 4

Proposed Amendment to Section 80-3.4 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Relating to the Mentoring Requirement for Professional Certification

Your Committee discussed a proposed to Section 80-3.4 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education relating to the mentoring requirement for professional certification This amendment would require that mentoring take place during the first 180 days of employment, rather than the first year of employment, allowing those hired later in a school year to participate in the full mentoring experience. Following the 45-day public comment period required under the State Administrative Procedure Act, it is anticipated that the proposed amendment will come back to the Board of Regents at its March 2018 meeting. If adopted at the March 2018 meeting, the proposed amendment will become effective on March 28, 2018.  HE (D) 2

Discussion of Whether Educator Preparation Programs Should be Considered Continuously Accredited If They Apply for Accreditation Through an Alternative Professional Association that is Seeking Recognition from the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the United States Department of Education (USDE)

Your Committee discussed a conceptual approach to consider educator preparation programs continuously accredited if they apply to an association that is applying to USDE or CHEA for national recognition within a certain time period. Your Committee approved this approach. Therefore, the Department will bring to the Board at its January 2018 meeting a proposed regulatory change to Section 52.21 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education to consider EPPs participating in an alternative accreditation process to be continuously accredited for program registration purposes. HE (D) 1

Proposed Amendment to Section 80-5.13 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education to Allow for Greater Flexibility in Alternative Teacher Preparation Programs

Your Committee discussed a proposed amendment to Section 80-5.13 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education to allow great flexibility in alternative teacher preparation programs. This amendment will maintain the three-year employment commitment for those candidates pursuing a Transitional B certificate, but in lieu of all three years being full-time, the proposed amendment allows a candidate to be initially employed part-time while gradually assuming more responsibility and ultimately teaching full-time for at least one school year.  Following the 45-day public comment period required under the State Administrative Procedure Act, it is anticipated that the proposed amendment will come back to the Board of Regents at its March 2018 meeting. If adopted at the March 2018 meeting, the proposed amendment will become effective on March 28, 2018.  HE (D) 3

Matters Requiring Board Action:

Proposed Amendment to Sections 30-3.2 and 30-3.5 of the Rules of the Board of Regents and Sections 52.21 and 80-3.10 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Relating to the Adoption of the 2015 Professional Standards for Educational Leaders with Certain New York Specific Modifications for the Purpose of Registration of School Building Leader Programs and School Building Leader Evaluation

Your Committee approved a proposed amendment to adopt the 2015 Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSELs). The proposed amendment requires that all school building leader programs that are registered or seek registration under §52.21 of the Commissioner’s Regulations on or after December 1, 2020 be aligned to the PSELs, with modifications as recommended by the Principal Project Advisory Team. The proposed amendment also establishes new professional practice expectations for all principals. Any evaluations of the school building leaders under the new standards will go into effect after December 1, 2022. In addition, the proposed amendment requires that any evaluation of principals conducted on or after December 1, 2022 shall be aligned to the PSELs, with modifications as determined by the Board of Regents. However, nothing shall be construed to abrogate any conflicting provisions of any collective bargaining agreement in effect on December 1, 2022 that requires the use of the 2008 ISLLC Standards. This change will require that all principal practice rubrics be resubmitted to the Department through an updated Request for Proposals, which the Department will release to the field prior to December 1, 2022. The proposed amendment will become effective on December 27, 2017.HE (A) 1

St. Paul’s School of Nursing Application for Degree-Granting Authority

Your Committee approved the extension of provisional degree conferring authority to St. Paul’s School of Nursing at its Queens and Staten Island campuses. Regent Cea abstained from the vote. The Board requested a second motion requiring that the Department present the Board with St. Paul’s interim study and self-report in one year (December 2018). This motion was also approved.  HE (A) 2

Consent Agenda

The Board of Regents acted on the following consent agenda items at the December 2017 meeting.

• Conferral of Degrees: Dowling College, Globe Institute of Technology and Elim Bible Institute and College - Approved the conferral of degrees upon students successfully completing programs at Dowling College, Globe Institute of Technology and Elim Bible Institute and College. BR (CA) 3
• Proposed Amendment to Add a New Section 80-2.26 to the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education to Allow Teachers Displaced from Puerto Rico and/or Another U.S. Territory as a Result of Hurricane Maria to Teach in New York State - The Board approved an amendment to add a new Section 80-5.26 to the Commissioner’s Regulations to allow for a temporary certificate for teachers who have been displaced from Puerto Rico and/or other U.S. territories as a result of Hurricane Maria to teach in New York upon meeting certain requirements. BR (CA) 4
• Proposed Amendment to Section 80-6.1 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Relating to Continuing Teacher and Leader Education for Teachers in Nonpublic Schools to Implement Chapter 311 of the Laws of 2017 - The Board approved an amendment to conform the Commissioner’s Regulations to an amendment made to Chapter 311 of the Laws of 2017 which amended Education Law §3006-a. BR (CA) 5
• Proposed Amendment to Section 145-2.1 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Relating to the Eligibility Criteria for the Tuition Assistance Program - The Board approved amendments to Section 145-2.1 of the Regulations which clarify the terms “economically disadvantaged” and “educationally disadvantaged” related to HEOP eligibility. BR (CA) 6
• Master Plan Amendment: The State University of New York College at Oneonta - Approved an amendment to the master plan to authorize the State University of New York College at Oneonta to offer a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Exercise Science. BR (CA) 8