See what’s happening through your seat at the table with NYSED policymakers this month:
In this issue:
Advancing Arts Education in New York State, Proposed Amendment Relating to Protocols for Diapering and Toileting Students, Proposed Amendments Pertaining to Regulations Associated with Automated External Defibrillator (AED) devices, Proposed Amendment to Establish an Enhanced State-Level Review Process for the Accreditation of Registered Teacher Preparation Programs, Update on NYS Museum initiatives.
Summary of January 2026 Board of Regents Meeting
The Board of Regents conducted their monthly meeting on Monday January 12, and Tuesday, January 13. Chancellor Lester Young opened the meeting asking for a moment of silence in remembrance of Deputy Commissioner Angelique Johnson Dingle’s mother who passed away recently.
P-12 related topics covered during the January 2026 meeting Include:
- Advancing Arts Education in New York State
- Proposed Amendment Relating to Protocols for Diapering and Toileting Students.
- Proposed Amendments Pertaining to Regulations Associated with Automated External Defibrillator (AED) devices.
- Proposed Amendment to Establish an Enhanced State-Level Review Process for the Accreditation of Registered Teacher Preparation Programs.
- Update on NYS Museum initiatives.
Advancing ARTS Education in New York State
The Board participated in a discussion that focused on the role of Arts Education as a foundational pillar in the educational program of all New York students. The conversation centered around ways NYSED can broaden and deepen arts opportunities for students and how they can best ensure that the arts are sufficiently emphasized as the Portrait of a Graduate is implemented.
Current student enrollment data in arts courses across the state was presented. A group of educators from central New York also presented components of the foundational framework they are using to expand arts related opportunities for students and how they are connecting these experiences with Portrait of a Graduate goals and objectives.
The link below includes the slides that were referenced during the presentation.
Proposed Amendment Relating to Protocols for Diapering and Toileting Students
The Board adopted an emergency amendment relating to regulations, originally presented In September 2025, to clarify procedures for diapering and toileting students. The new policy adopted in September requires:
- Annual Training on health and safety procedures to all relevant school personnel.
- Ensuring restrooms provide adequate privacy and appropriate accessibility for all students who need diapering or toileting support.
- Ensuring diaper changing areas are operationally safe, consistently maintained, and appropriately equipped.
- Ensuring that all supports services and specialized equipment are available in accordance with IEPs.
Two minor changes were added to clarify some of the original wording in the regulation based on public feedback that was received. The amendment becomes effective on March 27, 2026 and NYSED anticipates that it will be presented for permanent adoption at the May 2026 Board of Regents meeting. It was also mentioned that NYSED is working on webinar guidance and a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) document on this topic which will be made available to schools in the near future.
Below you will find the proposed amendments as they were presented.
https://www.regents.nysed.gov/sites/regents/files/126p12a1.pdf
Proposed Amendments Pertaining to School Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Device Requirements.
Desha’s Law, passed in July 2025, mandates that all schools implement comprehensive emergency response plans to address sudden cardiac arrest. The Board discussed proposed amendments which clarify updated requirements as they relate to AEDs.
It is anticipated that the proposed amendments will be presented for permanent adoption at the May 2026 Regents meeting.
The link below includes the actual amendments as they were presented.
https://www.regents.nysed.gov/sites/regents/files/126p12d1revised.pdf
NYSED staff presented amendments to the regulations which would require:
- Specific requirements for labeling of all AED devices.
- Compliance with changes to the maintenance requirements for AED devices.
- Inclusion of non-public schools in the AED requirements.
Proposal to Establish a State Level Review Process for Teacher Preparation Programs
NYSED staff discussed a proposed amendment which would establish a new enhanced state-level review process for renewing the accreditation of teacher preparation programs. The goal of the new process is to ensure that teacher preparation programs consistently meet pedagogical core requirements for course work and clinical experiences.
Currently, teacher preparation programs are reviewed by the Department at the time of initial accreditation and again only if a program undergoes significant changes. The proposed regulations would implement a two-step cyclical review process occurring every seven years. Institutions would be would be required to submit a written program self-evaluation on a prescribed form developed by NYSED. Additionally, NYSED staff would conduct a site visit to the program’s campus. Information gathered from each component would be reviewed and, within thirty days, the higher ed institution would be notified of whether it will be approved for recertification. If the institution is not approved as a result of the initial review, they will be provided a certain amount of time to make changes to bring their programs into compliance.
It is anticipated that this amendment will be presented for adoption at the May 2026 Board of Regents meeting to go into effect in September 2027.
Below you will find the link to the information that presented during the discussion.
https://www.regents.nysed.gov/sites/regents/files/126hed1.pdf
Update on NYS Museum Initiatives
NYSED Deputy Commissioner for the Cultural Arts, Mike Mastrioani, introduced Jennifer Saunders who was recently appointed as the Director of the NYS Museum. Ms. Saunders provided a brief overview of her background, talked about some key takeaways from her first 100 days in the position, and outlined some of her goals for improving the museum in the future. Current efforts are focusing on increasing educational programming opportunities for schools, developing future funding priorities to support technology, updating current gallery exhibits, and expanding opportunities to open new exhibits or host travelling exhibits in the future.
Below you will find a link to the slides that were referenced during the presentation.
