NYS Board of Regents Meeting Summaries

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Summary of July 2024 Board of Regents Meeting 

The Board of Regents conducted their monthly meeting on Monday, July 15, and Tuesday, July 16, 2024. As has been customary in past years, the July meeting included a shortened public session with the majority of the two days being dedicated to Board training. 

Chancellor Lester Young opened the meeting by reading a joint statement on behalf of the Board, which condemned the events of July 13th in Butler, Pennsylvania. Chancellor Young extended condolences to the families affected by the tragedy, and emphasized the need for ongoing efforts to ensure that New York Schools are free from violence and hate. 

P-12 related topics covered during the July 2024 meeting that are summarized in this report include a(n): 

• Proposed amendment relating to Flexibilities for Supplementary Certificate and Supplementary Bilingual Extension Requirements. 
• Proposed amendment requiring districts/schools to notify high school seniors of higher education financial aid opportunities. 
• Proposed amendment which would extend the validity of COVID-19 Teaching and Administrator Certificates that are scheduled to expire before or during the 2024-25 school year. 
• Proposed amendment related to extending flexibilities for Incidental Teaching. 
• Update on work being done by the P-20 Work Education Workgroup relating to accreditation standards for teacher education programs. 

• Proposed Amendment Relating to Flexibilities for Supplementary Certificate and Supplementary Bilingual Extension Requirements. 

The Board approved an extension to an amendment which was adopted at the January 2024 meeting in response to the influx of recently arrived asylum-seeking students who require ELL services. The amendment provides an expedited pathway for teachers certified in other areas to earn a Supplementary Certificate which allows them to have the necessary certification credentials to teach ELL students. 

As an example, a candidate who holds an initial teaching certificate in an area outside of ELL can complete 9-12 hours of specified coursework in literacy and the teaching of a second language to earn the English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) certificate. 

The amendment becomes effective immediately. 

Below you will find a link to that includes more specific information on the approved amendment. 

https://www.regents.nysed.gov/sites/regents/files/724hep12a2.pdf 

• Proposed Amendment Relating to Requirements for Districts to Notify High School Seniors of Higher Education Financial Aid Opportunities 

The Board approved an amendment that requires school districts to ensure verification from parents or guardians of high school seniors that they have completed the FAFSA or DREAM Act financial aid application, or have signed a waiver indicating that they have chosen not to file. Schools must also provide referrals for potential resources that students can access to receive support with completing FAFSA or DREAM Act applications. 

Additionally, the amendment requires that school districts notify every high school senior, at least twice each school year, of available state-sponsored scholarships, financial aid options, or any other assistance available for post-secondary education. 

The amendment goes into effect for the 2024-2025 school year. 

Below you will find a link to more detailed information on the approved amendment. 

https://www.regents.nysed.gov/sites/regents/files/724hep12a1.pdf 

• Proposed Amendment to Extend COVID-19 Certificates that are Scheduled to Expire Before or During the 2024-25 school year. 

Currently, over 1000 teacher and administrator COVID-19 certificates are scheduled to expire before the end of the 2024-2025 school year. In most cases, these individuals are currently employed as teachers and administrators and would not be able to continue employment without an extension. 

The Board adopted an amendment, originally discussed at the May 2020 Board of Regents meeting, which extends the COVID-19 teaching and administrator certificates for one year so these individuals can work through the upcoming school year. 

The link below includes more specific information on the amendment. 

https://www.regents.nysed.gov/sites/regents/files/724hea1.pdf 

• Proposed Amendment Related to Extending Flexibilities for Incidental Teaching. 

Also related to COVID-19 related certification extensions, the Board approved an amendment to extend the flexibilities for Incidental Teaching, which allows teachers to teach subjects outside of their certification area when qualified teachers are not available. The amendment extends the current emergency provisions through the 2024-2025 school year. 

The link below includes more specific information on the amendment. 

https://www.regents.nysed.gov/sites/regents/files/724hea2.pdf 

• Update on Work Being Done by the P-20 Education Workgroup Relating to Accreditation Standards for Teacher Preparation Programs. 

The Board of Regents P-20 Education Workgroup participated in an ongoing discussion focused on evaluating, improving, and sustaining the preparation and recruitment of highly qualified teachers in New York State. The workgroup is exploring possible changes related to the NYS Teaching Standards and reviewing potential changes to Educator Preparation Program requirements to better prepare candidates who are entering the teaching profession. 

Below you will find a link to the slides that were referenced during the discussion. 

https://www.regents.nysed.gov/sites/regents/files/P-20%20WG%20-%20NYS%20Teacher%20Preparation%20Program%20Review%20Process%20.pdf