NYS Board of Regents Meeting Summaries

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Summary of June 2024 Board of Regents Meeting 

The Board of Regents conducted their monthly meeting on Monday, June 10, and Tuesday, June 11, 2024. 

Regent Adrian Hale opened the meeting by recognizing the month of June as Pride Month. Regent Hale acknowledged the rights won by the LGBTQ community in recent years and the growing level of acceptance in our country. He specifically recognized New York educators for their efforts to build an environment of acceptance and support for members of the Pride community in our schools. 

P-12 related topics covered during the March meeting and summarized in this report include: 

• Blue Ribbon Commission on Graduation Measures Update 
• Literacy Instruction Initiative in NYS Update 
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Update 

• Graduation Measures Blue Ribbon Commission (BRC) Update 

Deputy Commissioner Angelique Johnson-Dingle introduced a presentation of the recommendations of the NYS Blue Ribbon Commission on Graduation Measures. The Deputy Commissioner framed the overall purpose of the proposed recommendations as being focused on bringing greater equity to schools across the State, and ensuring that all students receive the educational opportunities and supports they need to be successful. 

NYSED staff members outlined four proposed Transformative Actions that represent NYSED’s vision for implementing the Blue Ribbon Commission’s recommendations. They include: 

• ▪ Work-based Learning experiences 
• ▪ Passing approved assessments 
• ▪ Capstone Projects 
• ▪ Early College High School /PTECH coursework 
• ▪ Earning NYS credentials or seals 
• ▪ Completion of CTE or Arts Programs 

Transformation #1: Adopt The NYS Portrait of a Graduate – This proposal is intended to define how student success in P-12 Education is defined. The Portrait lays out the fundamental components of proficiency that students will need to demonstrate in areas that include: critical thinking, problem solving, literacy across content areas, cultural competence, social emotional competence, effective communication and global citizenship. 

Transformation #2: Redefine Credits – This recommendation proposes the reorganization of how credits are earned and the aligns diploma requirements with the competencies associated with the Portrait of a Graduate. The redefining of credits shifts the earning of credits toward a student’s ability to demonstrate proficiency in required areas rather than through the current time-based unit of study model. 

Examples of how students show can show evidence of proficiency in the learning standards would include: 

Transformation #3: Sunset Diploma Assessment Requirements – this proposal recommends that student no longer be required to pass specific Regents Exams or +1 Pathway Assessments to graduate. 

Regents Exams will continue to be offered as one of the measures available to demonstrate proficiency, but will not be the only option available to students. 

Transformation #4: Move to One Diploma – NYSED is recommending that only one type of diploma be available to all NYS public school graduates. Students would have the opportunity to earn advanced designation status through the completion of NYSED approved seal or endorsement requirements. 

After the presentation it was emphasized that all proposed changes must be approved and adopted by the Board of Regents prior to being implemented. It was also announced that Blue Ribbon Commission Ambassador Forums will be held across the State between June and October 2024 to gather stakeholder feedback on the proposed recommendations. Commissioner Rosa also stressed that other options will be available for stakeholders to provide input. 

NYSED will now begin developing an implementation plan, timeline, and budget for the proposed changes. It is anticipated that a more formalized plan will be presented to the Board in November 2024. 

Below is the link to the slides used during the presentation: 

https://www.regents.nysed.gov/sites/regents/files/FB%20Monday%20-%20New%20York%20State%20Graduation%20Measures%20Initiative%20-%20.pdf 

• The Path Forward Literacy Instruction Initiative 

The Path Forward Literacy Instruction Initiative is working with NYSED to transform literacy instruction across the State. The goal of the initiative is to embed the components of the Science of Reading into teacher preparation programs and teacher certification requirements. 

Representatives from Path Forward provided a progress update on their efforts to develop P-20 partnerships and provide professional learning opportunities on the Science of Reading to faculty in Educator Preparation Programs. 

Below you will the link to the slides used during the presentation: 

https://www.regents.nysed.gov/sites/regents/files/HE%20%20The%20Path%20Forward%20Literacy%20Instruction%20Initiative%20in%20New%20York%20State.pdf 

• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Update Creation of a DEI Website and Resource Repository with links to extensive resources. 
• Establishing partnerships with stakeholder groups from across the State. 
• Implementing Student Voices webinars to promote student participation in the project. 
• Formation of a Statewide DEI Leaders Network that meets monthly. 
• Establishing regular meetings with over 300 teachers across the State to discuss best practices and challenges. 
• Development of formalized training sessions in effective DEI practices. 

Representatives from the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) provided an update to the Board on their efforts to implement the DEI Initiative in New York schools. 

Executive Director, Dr. Dianne Wynne, presented on the progress that has been achieved over the past three years since the Office of DEI was formed. Key action steps/areas of focus have included: 

Below you will find the link to the slides used during the presentation. 

https://www.regents.nysed.gov/sites/regents/files/P-12%20%20Office%20of%20Diversity%2C%20Equity%2C%20and%20Inclusion%20Update.pdf