Report of Regents Higher Education Committee to The Board of Regents

Regents Committee on Higher Education Members

Regent Rivera, Chair, Vice Chancellor Chin, Regent Norwood, Regent Wills, Regent Ferrer, Regent Catania, Regent Hale, and Regent Pratts.

The Higher Education Committee held its scheduled meeting on April 7, 2025. All members were present. Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr., Regent Roger Tilles, Regent Christine D. Cea, Regent Susan W. Mittler, Regent Shino Tanikawa, Regent Patrick A. Mannion, Regent Brian Krist, Regent Keith B. Wiley, and Regent Felicia Thomas-Williams also attended the meeting but did not vote on any action.

MATTERS NOT REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

Proposed Amendment of Section 52.21 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Relating to Adding Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education to Teacher Preparation Program Registration Requirements [HE (D) 1] - Department staff and Dr. David Brown presented a proposed regulatory amendment to add culturally responsive-sustaining education to the pedagogical core requirement for registered teacher preparation programs. The New York State Blue Ribbon Commission on Graduation Measures Report, released in November 2023, includes 12 recommendations for improving student outcomes in New York public schools. One of these recommendations is to require all New York State teacher preparation programs to provide instruction in culturally responsive-sustaining education (CR-SE) practices and pedagogy. This will allow teacher candidates to gain the knowledge and skills to work with all students in their future classrooms.

The Department’s CR-SE Framework is designed to help educators create student-centered learning environments that affirm cultural identities; foster positive academic outcomes; develop students’ abilities to connect across lines of difference; elevate historically marginalized voices; empower students as agents of social change; and contribute to individual student engagement, learning, growth, and achievement through the cultivation of critical thinking. The four principles of the CR-SE Framework are a welcoming and affirming environment, high expectations and rigorous instruction, inclusive curriculum and assessment, and ongoing professional learning.

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