Office of Higher Education News

Memo from Senior Deputy Commissioner Johanna Duncan-Poitier: Tenure for Teachers in Instructional Support Service Positions
(May 6, 2009)

Memo from Senior Deputy Commissioner Johanna Duncan-Poitier: Expedited Review of Certificate and Advanced Certificate Programs
(March 4, 2009)

Memo from Senior Deputy Commissioner Johanna Duncan-Poitier: Recent Statutory and Regulatory Changes Regarding §211 Waiver Requests.
(December 10, 2008)

Periodic Updates from Senior Deputy Commissioner Johanna Duncan-Poitier: Our periodic updates for New York's higher education community features information about Regents policies, Office services, and more.
(Last Updated November 03, 2008)

No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB): Learn about the federal standards that this law sets for teachers and paraprofessionals in New York State. (Last Updated July 9, 2008)

New York State Education Department Web Site Redesign: Take the NYSED Web survey .

(June 13, 2008)

Structure and Content of Students with Disabilities Teacher Certification: The State Education Department is seeking your input on a preliminary proposal to revise the structure and content of Students with Disabilities teacher certification (see attached). Since data analysis and feedback from the field suggest there will be a shortage of special educators at the secondary level, the proposal is designed to ensure the supply of effective special education teachers. Your comments are needed to further refine the proposal, which was endorsed by the Regents in December. We ask that you provide your feedback to us by February 15, 2008. Thank you for your continuing commitment to quality teaching, and we look forward to reviewing your ideas and good advice.

CEO Memo - Structure and Content of Students with Disabilities Teacher Certification(PDF); (January 22, 2008)

Study of the Evaluation of Teacher Preparation: Chapter 57 of the Laws of 2007 requires the Commissioner to study the evaluation of teacher preparation and make recommendations to the Regents. Here is the action item presented to the Regents and the final report that the Regents approved on December 14, 2007.

Action Item for the Board of Regents
Final Report of December 14, 2007 (PDF); (December 19, 2007)

Proposed New York State Professional Development Standards November 2007: The State Education Department has released a preliminary draft of proposed New York State Professional Development Standards for public review and comment. To view a letter from Senior Deputy Commissioner Duncan-Poitier, the draft standards, and the response form, go to Proposed New York State Professional Development Standards November 2007. The deadline for comment is January 15, 2008.; (Demcemebr 10, 2007)

Ability-to-Benefit Tests Regulation Amendment: Chapter 57 of the Laws of 2007 (Article VII) requires the Board of Regents to identify the federally approved ability-to-benefit tests that satisfy the eligibility requirements for financial assistance. more ...
(Updated August 9, 2007)

Touro College: ALERT: Touro College Transcripts
(Updated August 9, 2007)

Part 80 Regulations Amendment: Proposed Amendment to the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Part-80 - Teacher Certification
(June 19, 2007)

Part 87 Regulations Amendment: Proposed Amendment to the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Part 87- Fingerprinting
(May 3, 2007)

SUBPART 4-1 Voluntary institutional Accreditation for Title IV Purposes: AMENDMENT TO THE RULES OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS. Pursuant to sections 207, 210, 214, 215 and 305 of the Education Law. Subpart 4-1 of the Rules of the Board of Regents is amended, effective March 8, 2007, as follows:
SUBPART 4-1 VOLUNTARY INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITATION FOR TITLE IV PURPOSES . (November 27, 2006)

Use of Technology in Education: The Board of Regents created a statewide Technology Policy and Practices Council to study the use of technology in education. As part of this effort, the Metiri Group will be conducting random surveys of school districts and other members of the University of the State of New York. Commissioner Mills urges all selected to participate in the survey process; a letter from him with additional information is available at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/metirisurvey.htm . (November 16, 2006)

Preliminary Fall 2006 College and University Degree-Credit Enrollment: http://www.highered.nysed.gov/oris/counts/prelim/06/contents.htm . (November 16, 2006)

New York State Higher Education Data: A Review of Higher Education Data - Comparison of the Four Sectors of Higher Education - PowerPoint presentation for the NYS Board of Regents Committee on Higher Education and Professional Practice - September 11, 2006.
Review of Higher Education Data (POWERPOINT)
Review of Higher Education Data (WEB)
(September 12, 2006)

Student Information Regarding the Closure of Taylor Business Institute: The Deputy Commissioner of Higher Education has directed Taylor Business Institute to cease operations at the end of its fall term in January 2007. A website has been set up to provide Taylor students with information to facilitate their transfer into related undergraduate programs at other institutions in New York City. http://www.highered.nysed.gov/ocue/taylorstudentinfo.htm (September 28, 2006)
CEO 06-05 Memo: CEO 06-05 Memo from Deputy Commissioner Johanna Duncan-Poitier which outlines the changes to Part 80 of the Commissioner's Regulations establishing new educational leadership certification titles and requirements. Included are frequently asked questions and charts comparing the old and new titles. (September 22, 2006)

Draft Regulations Relating to Proprietary College Degree-Conferring Authority: These proposed regulations are scheduled for discussion by the Regents at their October 2006 meeting and for action at their December 2006 meeting. A Notice of Proposed Rule Making for the proposed regulations will be published in the State Register on September 27, 2006. (September 13, 2006)
New York State Higher Education Data: A Review of Higher Education Data - Comparison of the Four Sectors of Higher Education - PowerPoint presentation for the NYS Board of Regents Committee on Higher Education and Professional Practice - September 11, 2006.
Review of Higher Education Data (POWERPOINT)
Review of Higher Education Data (WEB)
(September 12, 2006)

Additional Student Financial Assistance Available Through Two New U.S. Department of Education Grant Programs: The Academic Competitiveness (AC) Grant Program and the National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART) are being offered, beginning in the 2006-07 academic year, to help prepare students to be leaders in a global future and to encourage students to pursue careers and opportunities in mathematics, science, engineering, technology, computer science, and in high-need foreign languages. CEO memorandum #06-02 from Deputy Commissioner Johanna Duncan-Poitier provides additional information on the two grants.; (June 2, 2006); Additional information on the Academic Competitiveness grants and SMART grants is available on the U.S. Department of Education Website: www.ed.gov

Students may determine their eligibility for either program at www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov

Students who have previously applied for federal student aid and who may be eligible for the Academic Competitiveness Grant will receive a notification from the Federal Student Aid office, either by email or regular mail with application instructions. The Federal Student Aid office began sending these notifications on July 1. Students who have never applied for federal student aid also should go on-line to www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov or call 1-800-4FEDAID (or 1-800-433-3243) for more information on eligibility and application information for both of these grant programs, as well as all other federal student aid programs.; (July 10, 2006)

Teacher Supply and Demand: Review of Regents Teaching Policy and Implementation of the Regents Statewide Plan for Higher Education - An Analysis of Teacher Supply and Demand in New York State .; (June 1, 2006)

Information for Victims of Hurricane Katrina

The State Education Department has posted information for individuals from the Gulf Coast states affected by Hurricane Katrina who are seeking services in New York State. (September 9, 2005)

Statewide Plan for Higher Education

At its June 2005 meeting, the New York State Board of Regents approved the Statewide Plan for Higher Education, 2004-2012. The Plan identifies priorities for higher education in the State and sets an ambitious agenda for driving the future of higher education. As a result of the involvement of leaders across the State at numerous forums, conferences, public hearings, and other meetings held since October 2002, for the first time in decades, we have a Statewide Plan for Higher Education that reflects the goals and objectives of the Board of Regents, the State Education Department, and all four sectors of higher education in New York State - The City University of New York (CUNY), independent colleges and universities, proprietary institutions, and the State University of New York (SUNY). There is much to be done and by working together, we can achieve maximum success for all students in our States colleges and universities. Statewide Plan for Higher Education (PDF)

(August 18, 2005)

CEO-Memo 05-06

INVITATION FOR COMMENTS on the Preliminary Draft Proposal to Amend the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Regarding Educational Leadership Certificates (June 14, 2005)

Homeland Security - Yellow Alert: New York State is now at a Yellow Alert Level (Elevated). New York City remains at Orange Alert (High). Please see the field memo at http://www.highered.nysed.gov/memo01092004.htm for details.

Home Instruction Guidelines

Revised Rules and Regulations See Policy Memoranda to College and University Presidents (February 25, 2005)

Performance-based Policy Modifications regarding Faculty Staffing in Teacher Education Programs

The Board of Regents approved an amendment to Regulations of the Commissioner of Education to provide performance-based flexibility to institutions with teacher education programs. The performance-based policy will continue to require high standards of quality, while giving colleges and universities with demonstrated records of performance more discretion and flexibility to develop staffing plans that are consistent with their program designs. Please see
CEO Memo #05-01 for more information and guidance on implementation. (January 26, 2005)

Teaching Policy Changes

Two important policy changes have recently been enacted by the New York State Board of Regents to help ease new teachers transition to the classroom, and to support on-going efforts to recruit and retain teachers.

Flexibility for New Teachers to Complete their Masters Degrees in Five Years for Professional Certification
Supplementary Teaching Certificate

CEO Memo #05-02 provides details on the policy changes. (January 19, 2005)

Statewide Plan for Higher Education

Every eight years, the Board of Regents, in collaboration with the higher education community, develops and adopts the Statewide Plan for Higher Education, setting system goals and objectives. The Regents to schedule public hearings on the draft Statewide Plan for Higher Education. (December 16, 2004)

Alternative Teacher Preparation (ATP) Programs: On Friday, March 5, 2004, the New York State Teacher Recruitment and Transition to Teaching Projects sponsored the first statewide meeting of alternative teacher preparation (ATP) programs. For a summary of the day's proceedings go to Alternative Teacher Preparation (ATP) Programs Meeting Proceedings. If you have comments regarding the meeting or the attached proceedings, please contact Ruth Pagerey at Rpagerey@mail.nysed.gov . (May 7, 2004)

Homeland Security – Yellow Alert: New York State is now at a Yellow Alert Level (Elevated). New York City remains at Orange Alert (High). Please see the field memo at http://www.highered.nysed.gov/memo01092004.htm for details.

Staffing Changes in the Offices of Higher Education and the Professions

Please see the memo from Deputy Commissioner Duncan-Poitier to the Board of Regents at http://www.highered.nysed.gov/memo91003.htm for details.

NYS Law Requires Meningitis Health Information to be Distributed to College and University Students

On July 22, 2003, Governor Pataki signed New York State Public Health Law (NYS PHL) §2167 requiring institutions, including colleges and universities, to distribute information about meningococcal meningitis (also called meningococcal disease) and vaccination to all students enrolled for at least six (6) semester hours or the equivalent per semester, or at least four (4) semester hours per quarter. Please see the New York State Department of Health's site http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/immun/meningococcal/index.htm for further information.

New Fingerprint Processing Fee

The mandatory fee for the processing of fingerprint supported Criminal History Background checks will increase from $74 to $99 effective July 1, 2003.

Higher Education Newsletter

Our newsletter for New York's higher education community features information about Regents policies, Office services, and more.

The Bulletin of The Statewide Plan for Higher Education, 2004—2012

The Bulletin of The Statewide Plan for Higher Education 2004—2012. Every eight years, the Board of Regents, in collaboration with the higher education community, develops and adopts the Statewide Plan for Higher Education, setting goals and objectives for New York’s coordinated system of higher education. The Statewide Plan focuses on major issues affecting the role of higher education in New York State and its service to its residents, workforce, and community.

Planning data and information, including enrollment projections, and links to other resources are found at 2004 Master Planning Information and Resources

(May 08 2003)

No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB)

Learn about the new federal standards that this law sets for teachers and paraprofessionals in New York State. (Last Updated August 27, 2004)

Federal Government Grant Program

Federal Government Accepting Applications for Grant Program for Prevention of High-Risk Drinking or Violent Behavior Among College Students. Deadline for submission of applications is March 21, 2003.

(March 03 2003)

Two Federal Grants Received

The New York State Alternative Teacher Certification RFP's are now available!

(February 18 2003)

Papers, etc.

The Regents Task Force on Teaching has issued its paper "Teaching to Higher Standards: New York's Commitment". A brochure summarizing the paper and the full text of the paper are available below.

A brochure summarizing the main points of the Regents paper in (PDF file format).
The full text of "Teaching to Higher Standards: New York's Commitment" (PDF file format).
For additional information on the Regents Task Force on Teaching, please contact Doris Garner, Staff Coordinator, at (518) 474-3896 or dgarner@mail.nysed.gov.

URL: http://www.higher.nysed.gov/ohpe/news.htm