Report of Regents Higher Education Committee to The Board of Regents

Your Higher Education Committee held its scheduled meeting on January 14, 2020. All members were present except Regent Cea, who was absent and excused. 

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

Matters Not Requiring Board Action:

Update on the Implementation of the edTPA Teacher Certification Requirement in New York State.  Your Committee heard Department staff present an update on the implementation of the edTPA teacher certification requirement in New York State, including a summary of the reconvened edTPA Task Force work, recommendations made at that time, and changes that resulted from the recommendations. VOTED: The Committee voted to freeze all subject area New York State edTPA passing scores recommended by the standard-setting panel at the 2018-2019 levels and extend them through January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2021.

Proposed Amendment to Section 80-1.6 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education to Allow a Time Extension for the Initial Reissuance and Provisional Renewal. Your Committee discussed proposed amendments to Section 80-1.6 that will allow educators who hold an Initial certificate, Initial Reissuance, Provisional certificate, or Provisional Renewal to receive one Time Extension after the issuance of their first Initial or Provisional certificate.  Following the 60-day public comment period required under the State Administrative Procedure Act, it is anticipated that the proposed amendment will be presented to the Board of Regents for adoption at its May 2020 meeting.  If adopted at the May 2020 meeting, the proposed amendment will become effective on May 20, 2020.

Matters Requiring Board Action:

Proposed Amendments to Sections 80-3.15 and 80-4.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Relating to the Addition of Subject Areas to the Limited Extension and Statement of Continued Eligibility (SOCE) for Certain Teachers of Students with Disabilities and Technical Amendments to the Limited Extension, SOCE, and Subject Area Extensions in Grades 7-12 for Certain Teachers of Students with Disabilities. Your Committee discussed whether the Board of Regents should approve the amendments to the Commissioner’s Regulations to add general science and languages other than English to the list of subject areas for the limited extension and SOCE for certain teachers of students with disabilities as well as proposed technical amendments to add certain special education certificate titles to the list of titles eligible for the limited extension, SOCE, and subject area extension in grades 7-12 for certain teacher of student teachers with disabilities.  VOTED: that the Board of Regents approve the amendments to Sections 80-3.15 and 80-4.3 of the Commissioner’s Regulations, as submitted, effective January 29, 2020.

Consent Agenda

The Board of Regents acted on the following consent agenda item at the January 2020 meeting.

• Permission to Operate – George Washington University. The Board of Regents granted George Washington University permission to offer courses applicable to its Juris Doctorate (J.D.) program in New York City, known as GW Law in New York, effective January 14, 2020 and ending on January 30, 2025.
• Conferral of Degrees – Dowling College. The Board of Regents approved the conferral of the respective degrees upon listed individuals who have completed the requirements for registered degree programs at Dowling College.