Report of Regents Higher Education Committee to The Board of Regents

Your Higher Education Committee held its scheduled meeting on December 14, 2020. All members of the Committee were present.

ACTION ITEMS

MOTION FOR ACTION BY FULL BOARD

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 14, 2020, copies of which have been distributed to each member of the Board of Regents.

Matters Requiring Board Action:

Proposed Amendment to the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Relating to the Content Core Requirement in Computer Science Teacher Preparation Programs.Your Committee hears a proposal to amend Section 52.21 of the Commissioner’s regulations to revise the content core requirement in computer science teacher preparation programs from at least 12 semester hours of coursework that addresses five specified computer science concepts to at least 12 semester hours of coursework that provides a knowledge base for assisting students in meeting the new NYS K-12 Computer Science and Digital Fluency Learning Standards.

Matters Not Requiring Board Action:

Principal Talent Management System.Your Committee heard Department staff provide an update and present a video on the field’s response to the new software system that enables district leaders to tap into a larger pool of School Building Leader certified individuals who have the experience and credentials that meet the needs of their schools.

Consent Agenda Items:

• The Board voted to amend Part 49 of the Commissioner’s Regulations relating to the authorization of New York Higher Education Institutions to participate in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) and the approval of out-of-state institutions to provide distance education to New York residents.  
• The Board voted to approve the reappointment of Theresa Reynolds, administrator member and PSPB P-12 co-chair, to the State Professional Standards and Practices Board for Teaching, for a four-year term beginning December 31, 2020 and ending December 30, 2024.
• The Board voted to grant permission to Olivet University (California) to continue to offer seven courses from its M.B.A program and seven courses from its M.Div. program at Six Barclay Street in New York City. In addition, the Board of Regents voted to grant permission to Olivet University (California) to continue to offer seven courses from its M.Div. program at its location in Dover, NY. This approval will be effective from January 1, 2021 through June 30, 2021.