See what’s happening through your seat at the table with NYSED policymakers this month:
In this issue:
P – 3 Literacy Attestation Update, New York 250th Commemoration and New York
Museum Updates, NYS Professional Standards and Practices Board Update,
Strengthening Standards for Public Libraries
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Summary of March 2026 Board of Regents Meeting
The Board of Regents conducted their monthly meeting on Monday, March 9, and Tuesday, March 10. Regent Seema Rivera opened the meeting with reflective remarks commemorating March as Women’s History Month. Regent Rivera emphasized the past contributions of so many courageous women and also recognized the many ways that women are now assuming leadership roles around the world to affect positive change.
Additionally, in recognition of March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, Regent Hasoni Pratts highlighted the story of Lee Wesley Clark. Born with Down’s Syndrome and a congenital heart condition, Wesley and his parents overcame significant challenges as they advocated to ensure he received an appropriate inclusive education in Brooklyn Heights. He recently published his remarkable story of resilience and courage in the book, We Are All the Same.
P-12 related topics covered during the February 2026 meeting Include:
- P – 3 Literacy Attestation Update
- New York 250th Commemoration and New York Museum Updates
- NYS Professional Standards and Practices Board Update
- Strengthening Standards for Public Libraries
P – 3 Literacy Attestation Update
Deputy Commissioner Angelique Johnson-Dingle, NYSED staff, and representatives from New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) reviewed data collected from the required annual evaluation of the P-3 Science of Reading implementation. Information was presented relating to each grade level on seven specific key literacy development skills.
A summary of the various professional development practices being utilized were reviewed and an overview of available teacher resources was presented. It was noted that NYSED and NYSUT will continue reviewing the data to develop and better align available material with instructional best practices.
New York 250th Commemoration CelebrationCommissioner Rosa introduced a presentation on resources that are being made available to educators so schools can participate in New Yorks’s 250th Commemoration. They include:
1. The opportunity to contribute to a Digital Quilt that will feature artwork and media from NYS students (tapestryofny.org).
2. Primary Based-Based Resources for K-12 educators.
3. Free classroom sets of standards aligned classroom materials that are available to any educator who requests them.
4. Sample learning activities for a variety of themes that can be accessed in the Commemoration Field Guide.
5. Professional Development opportunities for teachers.
The first link below includes the slides that were referenced during the presentation.
The second link provides access to the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution NYSED Resource Guide that describes many of the educator materials that are available and how teachers can access them.
NYS Professional Standards and Practices Board Update
Deputy Commissioner for Higher Education, William Murphy, introduced an update on the role and mission of the Professional Standards and Practices Board for Teaching (PSPB). The role of the PSPB is to advise the Regents on matters relating to teaching, and to initiate, influence, and evaluate educational policy and best practices.
Established in 1998, the PSPB includes twelve P-12 teachers, four school administrators, seven SUNY representatives from higher education, six representatives from the public sector and one teacher education student. The Board is divided into two subcommittees; one that focuses on issues directly related to the practice of teaching, and one that oversees issues relating to teacher education.
Representatives from the PSPB along with several NYSED staff members reviewed four recent topics that the PSPB has advised the Board on. They include:
- Proposed Educator Certification Changes including the new certification requirements, more flexibilities with earning dual certification, transitional pathways, and administrator certification requirements.
- Improving NYS Mentoring Standards and Developing Program Guidance.
- Teacher/Principal Evaluation Policy – The PSPB advised the Board on recommendations to support the transition to the new teacher evaluation systems. They are currently planning to also develop recommendations related to implementing the new school leader evaluations.
- NYS Code of Ethics for Educators – The PSPB developed a crosswalk to align connections between the NYS Teaching Standards, NYS Code of Ethics for Educators, and the Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Framework.
The link below includes the slides that were referenced during the presentation.
Strengthening Minimum Standards for Public Libraries
Regent Frances Wills introduced Lauren Moore, the State Librarian, who reviewed new regulatory amendments to strengthen minimum standards for public libraries. The policy clarifies requirements for the selection of new library materials and the procedures for how people can object to library content. The new guidelines were formally approved as part of the Boards’s consent agenda on Tuesday, March 10.
The link below provides access to the slides refenced during the presentation.
