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THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234
Deputy Commissioner Office of Higher Education Office of the Professions

To:	Presidents and CEOs of Colleges and Universities; Deans and Directors of Education Programs; District Superintendents; Superintendents; Principals; Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities; National Education Association of New York; New York Association of Colleges for Teacher Education; New York State Association of School Business Officials; New York State Association of School Personnel Administrators; New York State Association of Teacher Educators; New York State Council of School Superintendents; New York State School Boards Association; New York State United Teachers; School Administrators Association of New York State; State Professional Standards and Practices Board for Teaching; United Federation of Teachers; Other Key Stakeholders
From:	Johanna Duncan-Poitier
Date:	September 20, 2006
Subject:	CEO Memo # 06-05 – Educational Leadership Certification

As we begin the new school year I am pleased to provide further information on the transition to the new Education Leadership Certificates. Based upon feedback from the field, the New York State Board of Regents, through an amendment to Part 80 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, formalized in regulation new education, examination and experience requirements for certification as a School Building Leader (SBL,) School District Leader (SDL) and School District Business Leader (SDBL) in public schools. These changes are consistent with the modifications colleges and universities made to their teacher education programs over the past several years. Under separate cover, colleges and universities with registered education leadership programs will receive, from Assistant Commissioner Joseph Frey, a summary of changes to Part 52.21(c) regulations.

I would like to thank each of you for the very valuable contributions you have made in the development of these regulations and toward strengthening of preparation for school leaders. This initiative reflects the commitment that the Board of Regents, the Department, the K-12 and higher education communities, the Governor, members of the Legislature and others have made to help ensure that individuals are prepared to provide strong sound leadership in our school communities. I appreciate the significant time you spent providing us with feedback on draft regulations, modifying your school leadership education programs, sharing information on the changes with prospective school leaders and providing us with your input and advice. The new educational leadership regulations will help to ensure that future leaders come into schools in New York State with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed and with a commitment to on-going professional development throughout their careers.

To help fully describe the changes, attached please find two reference documents:

Frequently Asked Questions to provide additional information on these regulatory changes.
Chart describing the preparation pathways available to individuals seeking to become certified during the transition period between the old and the new certificate titles through September 2, 2007.

In summary, the amendment to Part 80, effective July 13, 2006:

Establishes new Initial and Professional certificate titles of School Building Leader (SBL) as well as Professional certificate titles of School District Leader (SDL) and School District Business Leader (SDBL). These titles replace the certificate titles previously in place as indicated below.

Previous Certificate Title		New Certificate Title

School Administrator and Supervisor (SAS)	ð	School Building Leader (SBL)
School District Administrator (SDA)	ð	School District Leader (SDL)
School Business Administrator (SBA) ð	ð	School District Business Leader (SDBL)

Requires individuals to complete approved programs to be certified in the educational leadership titles beginning on September 2, 2007, eliminating the individual (transcript) evaluation route for these titles. The regulations provide for a one-year transition period for individuals in the transcript evaluation pathway and individuals in the former college approved-programs. Individuals who apply for one of the former leadership titles (SDA, SBA, or SAS) through the individual evaluation pathway will have until 9/1/07 to complete all requirements for the former certificate title. Similarly, individuals who were enrolled prior to 9/1/04 in one of the former college programs will be provided the opportunity to complete that program by 9/1/07 and be eligible for the college to recommend them for the former certificate (SAS, SDA, or SBA as appropriate).

Establishes experience requirements for individuals to be certified as School Building Leaders: 3 years experience in classroom teaching and/or pupil personnel service for the Initial certificate and 3 years experience in leadership, including at least one year of mentored experience as school building leader, for the Professional certificate.

Limits the scope of practice for individuals holding the School District Leader (SDL) certificates. Since each educational leadership program is designed to prepare leaders for a specific leadership position (SBL, SDL or SDBL), individuals certified as School District Leader must also hold certification as a School Building Leader or School District Business Leader to serve in positions covered by these titles. This is a change from the past practice for the SDA certificate which authorized an individual to function in positions requiring an SAS or SBA certificate.

Establishes an alternative certificate (Transitional D certificate) for school district leaders matriculated in alternative certification programs.

Establishes an endorsement process by which experienced school district leaders and school district business leaders holding credentials in another state can become certified in New York State.

Requires professional development for school leaders who hold the new Professional certificate.

The regulations also require candidates to pass the appropriate New York State Teacher Certification Examination (NYSTCE) Program assessments for school leaders in each certificate title, once the examinations become available. At this point, the examinations are in the preliminary stages of development. We have made a commitment to ensuring that each examination is valid, reliable, and relevant before it is released. We expect that the first administration of the new certification examinations required for the SBL, SDL, and SDBL certificates will take place in the fall of 2007; however, this estimate is approximate and we will keep you posted on the development of the examination. Applicants who complete registered educational leadership programs leading to the SBL, SDL, and SDBL certificates before September 2, 2007 and are recommended for certification by their colleges are eligible to receive the new certificates without meeting the examination requirement, provided all other requirements are met before these examinations become available. When the examinations are available, all applicants will be required to pass the exam for certification.

I hope this information is helpful. If you have any additional questions or comments, please contact Robert Bentley, Executive Director of Professional Licensing and Teacher Certification, New York State Education Department, 89 Washington Avenue, 5 North, Education Building, Albany, New York 12234. You may contact Mr. Bentley by e-mail at OPDPLS@mail.nysed.gov . As always, your feedback is welcome.

Thank you again for your contributions to strengthening the preparation of future educational leaders in New York State schools.

Attachments

Attachment 1: Frequently Asked Questions

Attachment 2: Pathways by Certificate Title

http://www.highered.nysed.gov/memoceo05-06.html