The Regents 1998 plan called for improving teaching practice and professional development in ways that are consistent with the NCLB. Most of the Regents reforms have been implemented; others are being phased in. In addition, New York State recognizes and supports excellence in teaching through a variety of approaches.

4a. Professional Development and Annual Professional Performance Reviews (APPRs). Since fall 2000, every school district and Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) must have a professional development plan for teachers designed to improve student achievement and must conduct an Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) of each teacher that covers specific elements of teaching performance. In addition, all teachers who apply for a professional certificate after February 1, 2004 must obtain 175 hours of professional development focused on student achievement every five years to maintain their certificates in good standing.

4b. Mentoring for All First-Year Teachers. All teachers who apply for an initial teaching certificate after February 1, 2004 must have at least one year of mentored teaching to qualify for a professional certificate. All school districts and BOCES must have plans for providing all their first-year teachers with mentoring.

4c. State Programs. New York State will continue programs that support and recognize excellence in teaching, subject to annual appropriations.

The Mathematics Initiative grew out of five regional Mathematics Institutes that SED conducted in school year 2002-2003 to provide middle-level mathematics teachers with practical strategies and information that they could readily incorporate into instruction. The new three-to-five year Mathematics Initiative will target K-12 mathematics teachers in schools that have not met the State's or the NCLB's student achievement targets. As part of this Initiative, SED is identifying local and regional mathematics experts, forming regional mathematics advisory groups, creating capacity for on-site teacher coaching and developing Virtual Learning Space (VLS) applications.
The Reading Initiative is part of New York State's Reading First program. It includes the New York State Reading Resource Center (NYSRRC), which will provide up-to-date information on classroom application of scientifically based reading research and professional development for instructional leaders; the New York Reading Academy , an online professional development program available statewide; training Tier I Regional Coaches for direct provision of technical assistance (including mentoring and coaching) and professional development to funded schools; and developing Virtual Learning Space (VLS) applications.
New York State Mentor Teacher Internship Program provides grants for school mentoring programs. Since the program's inception in 1986 over 10,000 new teachers will have received mentoring. New York State Teacher Resource and Computer Training Centers provide grants to schools for teacher-directed professional development centers. In 2002-2003 a State appropriation of $31 million supported 126 Centers serving 660 school districts and BOCES and hundreds of non-public schools. The Teacher of the Year Program recognizes outstanding teachers who represent the State and SED at the National Teacher of the Year Program and at other events. The Better Beginnings Program recognizes and rewards teaching excellence in the elementary grades. The New York State Academy of Teaching and Learning conducts peer reviews of teaching strategies that are voluntarily submitted by teachers before being shared with other teachers.

4d. Federal Programs. New York State will continue to participate in federal programs that support and recognize excellence in teaching.

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards/Candidate Fee Subsidy Program is implemented by the New York State Albert Shanker Grant Program, which provides fee subsidies to teachers seeking certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. New York State has 289 Board-certified teachers and 200 additional teachers are in the process of completing Board certification requirements.
The Teacher/Leadership Quality Partnership Program (TLQP) improves teaching and learning at high-need schools by providing professional development through partnerships of K-12 schools and higher education and by enhancing the preparation of prospective teachers and school administrators. It is supported by funds from Title II, Part A, Subpart 3 of the NCLB.
Special Education Teacher Quality Initiative uses discretionary funds from the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA ) to enhance teaching skills and strengthen the State's capacity to serve students with disabilities. The State Improvement Grant (SIG) targets low-performing schools by providing funds to improve teacher quality through staff development activities. The Higher Education Support Center (HESC) at Syracuse University provides technical support to over 60 colleges with teacher preparation programs. SED issued an RFP to expand undergraduate programs for bilingual special education teachers.

4e. New York State Virtual Learning Space. SED is building a web portal that will serve as a “virtual learning space” for teachers and students. The portal will enable teachers to customize information for their teaching and learning needs and be an essential component of ongoing professional development for teachers.

4f. Technical Assistance Networks. SED will continue to provide ongoing technical assistance to schools and LEAs through networks that enhance teaching effectiveness and student achievement . Central to the State's network strategy are SED's Regional School Support Centers (RSSC). They focus solely on low-performing schools and LEAs and provide assistance in results-based planning, root cause analysis, professional development, and implementation evaluation. Other SED-funded networks – which address issues such as adult education, English Language Learners and pupil services – must direct a portion of their resources to technical assistance in low-performing schools and LEAs and coordinate their efforts with the RSSCs. An SED liaison to each network ensures a focus on low-performing schools. In addition, the funded networks will be conducting periodic, joint statewide meetings to enhance communication and collaboration among them.

4g. Other Technical Assistance. In New York City, each district outlines in its District Comprehensive Education Plan (DCEP) how it will address the needs of its low-performing schools. Each district works closely with assigned SED liaisons. Upstate, the "Big 4" city school districts (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Yonkers) have Partnership Agreements with SED and work closely with an SED liaison to address the needs of low-performing schools. Each DCEP and Partnership Agreement contains sections dealing with teacher and paraprofessional qualifications and professional development. These documents help define the implementation strategies that are undertaken by the districts and the technical assistance needed from SED staff.

http://www.highered.nysed.gov/nclb01-2004b4.htm