Sept. Board of Regents Mtg

The Board of Regents met on September 9-10, 2024. The agenda included regulatory actions and presentations on key initiatives. Below are highlights of the presentations and regulatory revisions important to our members.

Regulatory Actions

Newly Proposed Professional Administrators Certificate

A significant discussion took place on the proposed amendments to the school building leader (SBL) and school district leader (SDL) certifications. These changes aim to streamline both certification processes into a new certification called the Professional Administrator Certificate.

Rationale for Certification Revisions

SAANYS has collaborated with NYSED for an extended period on certification issues affecting our members. Common issues included the exclusion of certain district-wide administrative duties from SBL qualifications and confusion over the distinctions between building-level and district-level administrative positions. Additionally, discrepancies emerged, such as the requirement for SBL candidates to have three years of teaching experience plus three years of building-level administrative experience, totaling six years, while SDL candidates only needed three years of teaching experience. The additional 60 graduate credit hours required for SDL certification also posed challenges.

Proposed Changes

The new Professional Administrator Certificate would be available to education leaders with at least 25 percent of their assignments in school or district-level administrative roles, excluding those with a School Business Leader certificate. Administrators with a current SBL or SDL certification will remain unaffected, preserving tenure and certification status. For roles such as superintendent, deputy superintendent, associate superintendent, assistant superintendent, district superintendent, or equivalent titles in BOCES, administrators will need an extension to the new Professional Administrator Certificate due to statutory requirements (Section 3003 of Education Law) for 60 graduate semester hours. After September 1, 2031, NYSED will no longer issue SBL and SDL certificates; only the Professional Administrator Certificate will be available.

Implications for Members

  • Current holders of Professional SBL or SDL certifications will not be required to move to the new Administrative Certificate. Members could forge a pathway to the new Administrative Certificate if they so wish.
  • Those currently in programs leading to SBL or SDL certifications should complete their programs by January 1, 2030, as such programs will not be registered with NYSED.
  • For candidates beginning in 2026, it is likely that there will be new administrative programs registered. If an IHE (institute of higher education) continues to operate SBL and SDL programs until 9/1/2030. If a candidate enrolls in such a program, they would have until 9/1/2030 to complete that program. However, if not completed, the candidate could move to the new Professional Administrative certificate.

New Administrator Programs

Proposed amendments also impact institutes of higher education offering programs for the new certification. Effective February 1, 2025, programs leading to current SBL and SDL certifications will no longer be registered, and existing programs will cease after September 1, 2031. New candidates must:

  • Complete three years of experience in teaching, pupil services, or educational leadership before program completion.
  • Ensure program content aligns with the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSELs).
  • Gain leadership experience at both school and district levels under supervision by certified school district leaders and program faculty, including a full-time, 15-week experience.
    Candidates will not need the 60 semester hours of graduate coursework currently required for SDL programs unless proceeding to a new superintendent extension.

Proposed Regulations on Mixed Competition

Revised regulations on mixed competition were introduced at the May 2024 Board of Regents meeting. SAANYS submitted comments on the proposal, particularly opposing the removal of language that would allow districts to consider the adverse impact of male participation on female athletic opportunities. Additional concerns included the use of the Tanner Scale. Due to opposition, the revised proposed regulations were not presented to the Board of Regents. We are uncertain if the department will bring the item back at future point in time, but SAANYS will continue to challenge revisions allowing districts to consider the impact of male participation on female athletic opportunities.

Proposed Addition for Regionalization Plans

A proposed addition to Part 124 of the regulations requires each component district within a BOCES supervisory region to collaborate with district superintendents on developing and implementing a regional plan every three years. This aims to address educational disparities, fiscal constraints, and other challenges, improving student opportunities through enhanced efficiencies and ongoing evaluation. The regulation was enacted as an emergency measure, effective September 10, 2024.

Presentation

Department of Labor – Teacher Ambassador Program

The Department of Labor presented a program that hires teachers as summer interns in DOL offices, exposing them to various resources and regional coordination efforts. The program has successfully linked schools and businesses to benefit students. SAANYS is in discussions with DOL to expand the program to include principals.