Part 4 Regents Accreditation Subpart 4-2 - Regents Accreditation of Teacher Education Programs

 4-2.1 Purpose.

The purpose of this Subpart is to establish standards and procedures for determining that programs that select teacher education accreditation by the Board of Regents are preparing all teacher education program graduates to be effective teachers, meaning teachers who promote the well-being of all their students, help them learn to their highest levels of achievement and independence, and use their knowledge of human developmental processes and variations and their skill in applying that knowledge to form caring and nurturing environments for all their students, including those with diverse characteristics and backgrounds, students for whom English is a new language, students with varying abilities and disabilities, and students of both sexes.

4-2.2 Applicability.

The requirements of this Subpart shall apply to programs that must meet the requirements of subdivision (b) of section 52.21 of this Title.

4-2.3 Definitions.

As used in this Subpart:

  1. Adverse action or adverse accreditation action, additional location, branch campus, curriculum, department, deputy commissioner, institution of higher education or institution, principal center, and state shall have the meaning defined in section 4-1.2 of this Part.
  2. Accreditation action means accreditation, accreditation with conditions, probationary accreditation, and denial, revocation, or termination of accreditation.
  3. Accreditation with conditions means accreditation that requires the institution to provide reports and/or to submit to site visits concerning issues raised in a review for program accreditation, provided that such issues do not substantially affect the program's compliance with the standards and requirements for accreditation.
  4. Candidate means a person enrolled in a teacher education program.
  5. Nationally recognized accrediting agency means an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education for the purpose of accrediting higher education institutions or programs.
  6. Probationary accreditation means accreditation for a set period of time, up to two years unless extended pursuant to this Subpart, during which the program shall come into compliance with standards for accreditation through corrective action.
  7. Regents accreditation means the status of public recognition that the commissioner and the Board of Regents grant to a teacher education program leading to certification in teacher education that meets the standards prescribed in Part 52 of this Title and the requirements prescribed in this Subpart.
  8. Standards board means the State Professional Standards and Practices Board for Teaching established pursuant to section 3.14 of this Title.
  9. Teacher education program means a program leading to certification in teacher education as defined in subdivision (b) of section 52.21 of this Title.

4-2.4 General requirements and provisions.

  1. General requirements. To meet the requirements for Regents accreditation and the renewal of existing accreditation, the program shall meet the requirements in each of the following paragraphs:
     
    1. State standards. The program shall be in compliance with State standards prescribed in this Title, including but not limited to Parts 50 and 52 of this Title. The institution offering the program shall be in compliance with section 3.47, and Parts 53 and 54 of this Title. The program shall be registered pursuant to Part 52 of this Title.
    2. Standards for accreditation. The program shall meet the standards for program accreditation as prescribed in section 4-2.5 of this subpart.
    3. Other requirements for accreditation. The program shall meet all other requirements of this Subpart, including but not limited to the requirements of this section and the procedural requirements set forth in section 4-2.6 of this Subpart.
  2. Program registration.
    1. A review to determine whether a program shall be accredited by the Regents, pursuant to this Subpart, shall also determine whether the program shall be reregistered, pursuant to the standards prescribed in Part 52 of this Title.
    2. In lieu of the procedures in subdivision (a) of section 52.23 of this Title, the due process procedures in section 4-2.6 of this Title shall be employed when reregistration of a teacher education program is denied based upon a review conducted for the accreditation of the program by the Board of Regents pursuant to this Subpart.
  3. Fees.
    1. Each application for initial accreditation pursuant to paragraph (a) of section 4-2.6 of this Part shall be accompanied by payment of a fee of one thousand dollars for expenses of the department related to accreditation.
    2. Each year following the year in which the application for initial accreditation was received, on a schedule set by the department, each institution offering teacher education programs accredited pursuant to this Subpart shall remit to the department a fee of one thousand dollars for expenses of the department related to accreditation.
    3. Each institution subject to a review pursuant to this Subpart shall be assessed for the cost of accreditation visits, any other related visits the commissioner may determine to be necessary, and related expenses not covered by the annual fee prescribed in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subdivision.
    4. Failure to pay the fees prescribed in this subdivision may result in adverse accreditation action against the programs.
  4. Duration of accreditation. Accreditation shall be for a term of 7 years unless otherwise limited to a lesser period for good cause as determined by the Board of Regents.
  5. Scope of accreditation.

    If an institution applies for Regents accreditation of one or more of its teacher education programs, it must apply for Regents accreditation of all teacher education programs offered by the institution.

    Separate Regents accreditation is required for each teacher education program offered by an institution at its principal center, a branch campus, or an additional location.

  6. Enforcement of standards.

    If the review of a program under the standards prescribed in this section and section 4-2.5 of this Subpart; including such review which may be initiated by one or more complaints against the institution or the program, or a financial or compliance audit or program review conducted by the U.S. Secretary of Education relating to the HEA Title IV program responsibilities of the institution offering the program, or an adverse action or a placement on probation by another accrediting agency, among other reasons; indicates that the program is not in compliance with any such standard, the commissioner and the Board of Regents shall either:

    1. immediately initiate adverse action against the program; or
    2. require the institution to take appropriate corrective action to bring the program into compliance with such standards within a time period that shall not exceed:
      1. twelve months, if the program is less than one year in length;
      2. eighteen months, if the program is at least one year but less than two years in length; or
      3. two years, if the program is at least two years in length.
    3. The corrective action period may be extended at the discretion of the Board of Regents upon good cause shown, including but not limited to an adequate showing by the institution that it has a reasonable explanation for the program’s failure to meet the standard during the corrective action period and that it has a plan acceptable to the department to meet the standard within a reasonable time period.
    4. A program for which the institution is required to take corrective action pursuant to subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (1) of this subdivision shall receive probationary accreditation for such period of corrective action.
    5. A program for which the institution is applying for Regents accreditation for the first time shall not be eligible to receive probationary accreditation.
  7. Use of information. Information obtained by the department pursuant to a program accreditation review under this Subpart may be used by the department for State actions, including but not limited to program registration actions as prescribed in Part 52 of this Title. Information obtained by the department in relation to such State actions may be used by the department for purposes of program accreditation under this Subpart.
  8. Reporting requirements.
    1. The institution shall report data relevant to the program on a timetable and in a form prescribed by the department.
    2. The institution shall submit a self-study report prior to the initial accreditation review of its program or programs and prior to each periodic accreditation visit thereafter, on a timetable and in a form prescribed by the department.
    3. The institution shall notify the department of any denial, withdrawal, suspension, revocation or termination of accreditation or pre-accreditation by another accrediting agency against the institution or any of its teacher education programs within 5 days after receiving official notification of that action by providing to the department a copy of the action.
  9. Adverse action by an accrediting agency. In the event of a pending or final adverse action by a nationally recognized accrediting agency, or action to place the institution or teacher education program on probation by a nationally recognized accrediting agency, the department shall review the program's Regents accreditation to determine whether adverse action should be taken based upon the standards prescribed in this Subpart. Notification of such adverse action by a nationally recognized accrediting agency may result in a compliance review as prescribed in subdivision 4-2.6(b) of this Subpart.

4-2.5 Standards for Regents accreditation of teacher education programs.

  1. Standards of quality.
    1. Commitment and vision. The program shall state the nature of its commitment to and vision for preparing teachers who can teach all students to the State learning standards for students, as prescribed in Part 100 of this Title, and shall provide evidence that the commitment and vision are reflected in the curriculum and its delivery.
    2. Philosophy, purposes, and objectives. The institution shall demonstrate how the philosophy, purposes and objectives found in the written statement of philosophy, purposes and objectives of the program, as required by clause (a) of subparagraph (i) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of section 52.21 of this Title, guide and characterize the program’s structure, content, delivery by the faculty, and outcomes.
    3. Standards for program registration. The program shall meet the standards prescribed in Parts 52, 53, and 54 of this Title. The program shall provide adequate evidence of the successful implementation of the standards for program registration in Part 52 of this Title, including but not limited to the standards for curriculum, field experiences, student teaching, faculty, administration, resources, and collaboration with local schools to improve teaching and learning in the institution and in the local schools.
    4. Teaching effectiveness of graduates. The program shall provide adequate evidence that it prepares effective teachers, as defined in section 4-2.1 of this Subpart, taking into consideration the school environments in which the program graduates teach.
    5. Assessment of candidate achievement. The institution shall demonstrate candidate achievement in its teacher education programs, including but not limited to direct assessment of candidates’ learning requiring candidates to display their knowledge and skills; graduation rates; State teacher certification examination results; and job placement rates.
  2. Related standards.
    1. Financial resources. The institution shall provide the financial resources necessary for the consistent and successful achievement of the goals and objectives of each teacher education program which it offers.
    2. Support services. The institution shall assure that whenever and wherever the institution offers courses as part of a teacher education program, adequate student support services are provided for achieving the program’s goals and objectives and for meeting the needs of its candidates related to program completion, including but not limited to: services for assessing applicants' skills and developing college-level skills of admitted students, tutoring and personal career counseling, and advising and program planning services.
    3. Advertising.
      1. Advertising conducted by or on behalf of the program shall not be false, misleading, deceptive, or fraudulent and shall be consistent with the provisions of Article 22-A of the General Business Law.
      2. The primary emphasis of all advertisements and promotional literature shall be the educational services connected with the program.
      3. Statements and representations in all forms of advertising and promotion shall be clear, current, and accurate. To the extent that statements of facts are made, such statements shall be restricted to facts that can be substantiated. Materials to support statements and representations in advertising and promotion shall be kept on file and shall be available for review by the department.
      4. Any endorsement or recommendation used in a public advertisement shall include the author's identity and qualifications and shall be used only with the author's consent. No remuneration of any kind shall be paid for such endorsement or recommendation.
      5. References to the New York State Board of Regents in any advertisement or promotional literature shall comply with the requirements of section 13.11 of this Title and paragraph (5) of this subdivision.
  3. Candidate complaints.
    1. The institution offering the program shall establish, publish, and consistently administer internal procedures to receive, investigate, and resolve candidate complaints related to the standards prescribed in this Subpart.
    2. The institution may have informal means by which candidates can seek redress of their complaints.
    3. The institution shall have a formal complaint procedure for candidates in the program that shall include, but need not be limited to: steps a candidate may take to file a formal complaint; reasonable and appropriate time frames for investigating and resolving a formal complaint; provision for the final determination of each formal complaint to be made by a person or persons not directly involved in the alleged problem; and assurances that no action will be taken against the candidate for filing the complaint.
    4. The institution shall maintain adequate documentation about each formal complaint related to the program and the disposition of such complaint for a period of at least six years after final disposition of the complaint. Assessment of the disposition and outcomes of complaints shall be a component of the self-study report provided prior to each accreditation visit and shall be a consideration in any review for accreditation or renewal of accreditation.
  4. Public disclosure of accreditation status. An institution that elects to disclose the accreditation status of its teacher education programs shall disclose such status accurately and include in its disclosure the specific teacher education programs covered by that status and identify the New York State Board of Regents as its accrediting agency for teacher education programs. Such information shall include the address and telephone number of the department. The disclosure shall be consistent with the requirements of section 13.11 of this Title.
  5. Annual reports. The institution shall annually submit to the department:
     
    1. timely and accurate statistical information as prescribed by the commissioner;
    2. additional specified reports, including data related to candidate achievement as required by paragraph (5) of subdivision (a) of this section;
    3. record of candidate complaints and their outcomes; and
    4. other information pertaining to programs’ compliance with the standards prescribed in this Subpart, as determined by the department.

4-2.6 Procedures for accreditation.

  1. Comprehensive review procedures.
     
    1. Institutions that seek initial Regents accreditation or renewal of Regents accreditation for teacher education programs shall be subject to the requirements of this subdivision. Such comprehensive review shall determine accreditation action and whether the programs shall be reregistered.
    2. Application. Institutions seeking initial accreditation for teacher education programs shall be required to apply for such accreditation on forms as may be prescribed by the commissioner. Institutions seeking renewal of accreditation for teacher education programs shall submit a letter of intent seeking such renewal at least 18 months prior to the end date of the current accreditation period.
    3. Self-study. The institution shall be required to conduct an in-depth self-study substantiating compliance of each of its teacher education programs with the standards for accreditation set forth in this Subpart and plans for improvement pertinent to such standards and shall submit such self-study to the department in a form prescribed by the department. The department shall review the self-study to determine whether it is sufficient in depth and breadth to form a basis for a site review. The department may require the institution to submit additional information related to the self-study and/or submit additional self-study materials.
    4. External reviews.
      1. The institution shall submit to the department a description of each program for which it is seeking accreditation for the purpose of external review. The department shall transmit such description to up to three external reviewers, as determined and selected by the department.
      2. The description submitted shall be sufficiently detailed to permit judgment of the program’s quality in its area of focus and shall include, but need not be limited to, the program’s institutional context; philosophy, goals, and objectives; administrative organization; curriculum and sequence; faculty; physical and technological facilities and resources; fiscal resources; admission requirements and procedures; and means of assessing candidates’ achievement.
      3. The department shall direct the external reviewer to submit to the department a report assessing the program’s quality in the program’s area of focus and to provide a copy of such report to the institution. The report shall be submitted to the department on a timetable and in a form prescribed by the department.
      4. The department shall afford an opportunity for the institution to respond in writing to the external reviewer's report. The institution shall submit such response to the department on a timetable prescribed by the department.
    5. Public notice and opportunity for comment. The department shall publish in the New York State Register, or its successor publication, a notice that the teacher education programs offered by an institution are being considered for accreditation action and invite public written comment concerning the programs’ qualifications for accreditation.
    6. Site visit. The department shall conduct a site visit to the institution to assess the compliance of its teacher education programs with the standards for accreditation prescribed in this Subpart.
    7. Draft compliance review report. The department shall prepare a draft compliance review report and provide a copy to the institution. The institution shall respond in writing to the draft compliance review report within 30 days of the date it was transmitted by the department.
    8. Compliance review report. The department shall prepare a compliance review report and provide a copy to the institution. Such report shall address whether the program has met each of the standards set forth in sections 4-2.4 and 4-2.5 of this Subpart and shall include any comments by the institution concerning the draft compliance review report. The report shall include the department's summary of major findings and preliminary recommendation with respect to accreditation action. The report shall also include the department's summary of major findings and preliminary recommendation with respect to the reregistration of the programs.
    9. Standards board's review.
      1. The department shall notify the institution by first class mail, with return receipt requested, of the date, time and location of the meeting at which the standards board, or subcommittee thereof, will review the department's preliminary recommendations with respect to accreditation action and program reregistration.
      2. The institution may submit to the department by first class mail, express mail, or personal service a written submission at least 20 days before the scheduled meeting.
      3. The standards board or subcommittee shall review the department's preliminary recommendations with respect to accreditation action and program reregistration. The department shall transmit to the standards board or subcommittee the written submission by the institution pursuant to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph and the record upon which the department made its preliminary recommendations, which shall include but not be limited to the compliance review report and preliminary recommendation, the institution's self study, the institution's application for accreditation and any additional documentation submitted by the institution concerning the application, the department's responses to the institution concerning its application, and any other documentation upon which the department's preliminary recommendations were based. The standards board or subcommittee shall invite staff of the department, the institution, and at the standards board's or subcommittee's discretion other interested parties to make oral presentations at the meeting. At such meeting, parties making oral presentations may present written submissions to the standards board or subcommittee. The standards board or subcommittee shall base its determination only upon the written record upon which the department made its preliminary recommendations, the compliance review report and preliminary recommendations, the written submission by the institution pursuant to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, and the written submissions presented at the meeting.
      4. When it concludes its review, the standards board or subcommittee shall prepare recommendations on accreditation action and program reregistration to the deputy commissioner, together with a report of the factual basis and findings in support of its recommendations. The department shall transmit a copy of the recommendations and report to the institution.
    10. Deputy commissioner's review. The deputy commissioner shall review the recommendations and report of the standards board or subcommittee and the entire record before the standards board or subcommittee, including but not limited to the documentation listed in subparagraphs (ii) and (iii) of paragraph (9) of this subdivision. Based upon this review the deputy commissioner shall prepare recommendations on accreditation action and program reregistration to the commissioner, together with a report of the factual basis and findings in support of the deputy commissioner's recommendations. The department shall transmit a copy of the report and recommendations to the institution by first class mail with return receipt requested.
    11. In the event that the institution does not appeal the findings and recommendations of the deputy commissioner, as prescribed in paragraph (12) of this subdivision, the commissioner shall adopt said findings and recommendations as the commissioner's findings and recommendations to the Board of Regents.
    12. Appeal of deputy commissioner's recommendations.
      1. The institution shall have the right to appeal to the commissioner the findings and recommendations of the deputy commissioner and to be represented by counsel during the appeal.
      2. Within 15 days of the date that the institution receives notification of the findings and recommendations of the deputy commissioner, the institution shall notify the commissioner in writing, by first class mail, express delivery, or personal service, of its intention to appeal.
      3. Within 90 days of the date that the institution receives notification of the findings and recommendations of the deputy commissioner, the institution shall commence an appeal of such findings and recommendations by filing with the commissioner by first class mail, express delivery, or personal service the original appeal papers, with an affidavit proving the service of a copy thereof upon the deputy commissioner by first class mail, express delivery, or personal service. The deputy commissioner shall transmit to the commissioner the entire record before the deputy commissioner and the deputy commissioner's recommendations on accreditation action and program reregistration, together with a report of the factual basis and findings in support of the deputy commissioner's recommendations. The deputy commissioner may file a written response with the commissioner by first class mail, express delivery, or personal service within 30 days of service of such appeal papers upon the deputy commissioner, with an affidavit proving the service of a copy thereof by first class mail, express delivery, or personal service upon the institution.
      4. The commissioner shall review the appeal papers, the deputy commissioner’s written response, and the record reviewed by the department and the standards board or subcommittee. Upon such review, the commissioner may affirm, reverse, or modify the findings and recommendations of the deputy commissioner. Such determination shall constitute a recommendation regarding accreditation action and program reregistration to the Board of Regents.
    13. Regents decision. At a regularly scheduled public meeting, the Board of Regents shall consider the findings and recommendations of the commissioner and make the final determinations on accreditation action and program reregistration.
  2. Compliance review procedures.
     
    1. The department may institute a compliance review at any time during a program's accreditation period to determine whether the program is in compliance with standards prescribed in this Subpart, including but not limited to the standards prescribed in sections 4-2.4 and 4-2.5 of this Subpart. Such review may be initiated at the discretion of the department for good cause, which may be based on one or more complaints against the program relating to such standards; or an adverse action or a placement on probation of the institution offering the program or the program by another accrediting agency; or financial or compliance audits or program reviews conducted by the U.S. Secretary of Education relating to the institution's HEA Title IV program responsibilities; or other information obtained by the department that the program may not be in compliance with standards prescribed in this Subpart; among other reasons. Such compliance review shall determine accreditation action and whether the program shall be reregistered.
    2. The department shall notify the institution as to the commencement of the compliance review. Such notification shall include but shall not be limited to a specification of the program being reviewed and the standard or standards at issue, together with the department's reasons for finding them at issue, and shall require the institution to respond in writing.
    3. The department shall review the institution’s response and determine whether there is good cause to commence further review. In the event that the department determines that there is no good cause to commence further review, the department shall notify the institution of this determination and affirm that accreditation shall continue to its term. In the event that the department determines that there is good cause to commence further review, the department shall conduct an evaluation to determine the program’s compliance with the standards in sections 4-2.4 and 4-2.5 of this Subpart, which may include a site visit. The department may require the institution to provide the department with information related to the program’s compliance with such standards, including but not limited to evidence that the program is meeting the standards or that the institution has taken immediate corrective action to meet the standards.
    4. Draft compliance review report. The department shall prepare a draft compliance review report and provide a copy to the institution. The institution shall be given the opportunity to respond in writing to the draft compliance review report within 30 days of the date it was transmitted by the department.
    5. Compliance review report. The department shall prepare a compliance review report and provide a copy to the institution. Such report shall address whether the program has met each of the standards at issue and shall include any comments by the institution concerning the draft compliance review report. In the event that the program has met the standards at issue, the department shall notify the institution in writing of this determination and affirm that accreditation shall continue to its term. In the event that the department determines that the program has not met one or more standards at issue, the department shall notify the institution and shall transmit a copy of its report and preliminary recommendations with respect to accreditation action and program reregistration to the institution and to the standards board.
    6. Standards board's review.
      1. The department shall notify the institution by first class mail, with return receipt requested, of the date, time and location of the meeting at which the standards board, or subcommittee thereof, will review the department's preliminary recommendations with respect to accreditation action and program reregistration.
      2. The institution may submit to the department by first class mail, express mail, or personal service a written submission at least 20 days before the scheduled meeting.
      3. The standards board or subcommittee shall review the department's preliminary recommendations with respect to accreditation action and program reregistration. The department shall transmit to the standards board or subcommittee the written submission by the institution pursuant to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph and the record upon which the department made its preliminary recommendations, which shall include but not be limited to the compliance review report and preliminary recommendations, and any other documentation upon which the department's preliminary recommendations were based. The standards board or subcommittee shall invite staff of the department, the institution, and at the standards board's or subcommittee's discretion other interested parties to make oral presentations at the meeting. At such meeting, parties making oral presentations may present written submissions to the standards board or subcommittee. The standards board or subcommittee shall base its determination only upon the written record upon which the department made its preliminary recommendations, the compliance review report and preliminary recommendations, the written submission by the institution pursuant to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, and the written submissions presented at the meeting.
      4. When it concludes its review, the standards board or subcommittee shall prepare recommendations on accreditation action and program reregistration to the deputy commissioner, together with a report of the factual basis and findings in support of its recommendations. The department shall transmit a copy of the recommendations and report to the institution.
    7. Deputy commissioner's review. The deputy commissioner shall review the recommendations and report of the standards board or subcommittee and the entire record before the standards board or subcommittee, including but not limited to the documentation listed in subparagraphs (ii) and (iii) of paragraph (6) of this subdivision. Based upon this review the deputy commissioner shall prepare recommendations on accreditation action and program reregistration to the commissioner, together with a report of the factual basis and findings in support of the deputy commissioner's recommendations. The department shall transmit a copy of the recommendations and report to the institution by first class mail with return receipt requested.
    8. In the event that the institution does not appeal the findings and recommendations of the deputy commissioner, as prescribed in paragraph (9) of this subdivision, the commissioner shall adopt said findings and recommendations as the commissioner's findings and recommendations to the Board of Regents.
    9. Appeal of deputy commissioner's recommendations. The procedures prescribed in paragraph (12) of subdivision (a) of this section shall apply.
    10. Regents decision. At a regularly scheduled public meeting, the Board of Regents shall consider the findings and recommendations of the commissioner and make the final determination on accreditation action and program reregistration.
  3. Procedures for programs on probationary accreditation.
     
    1. Probationary accreditation shall be for the period of time prescribed for corrective action in accordance with the requirements of subdivision (f) of section 4-2.4 of this Subpart. The department shall review a program on probationary accreditation employing the procedures prescribed in this subdivision. Such probationary review shall determine accreditation action and whether the program shall be reregistered.
    2. The department shall require the institution to demonstrate the program’s compliance with the standards that the institution needs to address through corrective action. The department shall conduct a review of such compliance, which may include a site visit.
    3. Public notice and opportunity for comment. The department shall publish in the New York State Register, or its successor publication, a notice that the teacher education programs offered by an institution are being considered for accreditation action and invite public written comment concerning the programs’ qualifications for accreditation.
    4. Draft probationary review report. The department shall prepare a draft probationary review report assessing compliance and provide a copy to the institution. The institution shall respond in writing to the draft probationary review report within 30 days of the date it was transmitted by the department.
    5. Probationary review report. The department shall prepare a probationary review report and provide a copy to the institution. Such report shall address whether the program has met the standards at issue and shall include any comments by the institution concerning the draft probationary review report. The report shall include the department's summary of major findings and preliminary recommendation with respect to accreditation action. The report shall also include the department's summary of major findings and preliminary recommendation with respect to the reregistration of the program.
    6. Standards board's review.
      1. The department shall notify the institution by first class mail, with return receipt requested, of the date, time and location of the meeting at which the standards board, or subcommittee thereof, will review the department's preliminary recommendations with respect to accreditation action and program reregistration.
      2. The institution may submit to the department by first class mail, express mail, or personal service a written submission at least 20 days before the scheduled meeting.
      3. The standards board or subcommittee shall review the department's preliminary recommendations with respect to accreditation action and program reregistration. The department shall transmit to the standards board or subcommittee the written submission by the institution pursuant to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph and the record upon which the department made its preliminary recommendations, which shall include but not be limited to the probationary review report and preliminary recommendations, pertinent documentation prepared by either the institution or department in support of whether the program should be accredited and reregistered, and any other documentation upon which the department's preliminary recommendations were based. The standards board or subcommittee shall invite staff of the department, the institution, and at the standards board's or subcommittee's discretion other interested parties to make oral presentations at the meeting. At such meeting, parties making oral presentations may present written submissions to the standards board or subcommittee. The standards board or subcommittee shall base its determination only upon the written record upon which the department made its preliminary recommendations, the probationary review report and preliminary recommendations, the written submission by the institution pursuant to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, and the written submissions presented at the meeting.
      4. When it concludes its review, the standards board or subcommittee shall prepare recommendations on accreditation action and program reregistration to the deputy commissioner, together with a report of the factual basis and findings in support of its recommendations. The department shall transmit a copy of the report and recommendations to the institution.
    7. Deputy commissioner's review. The deputy commissioner shall review the recommendations and report of the standards board or subcommittee and the entire record before the standards board or subcommittee, including but not limited to the documentation listed in subparagraphs (ii) and (iii) of paragraph (6) of this subdivision. Based upon this review the deputy commissioner shall prepare recommendations on accreditation action and program reregistration to the commissioner, together with a report of the factual basis and findings in support of the deputy commissioner's recommendations. The department shall transmit a copy of the report and recommendations to the institution by first class mail with return receipt requested.
    8. In the event that the institution does not appeal the findings and recommendations of the deputy commissioner, as prescribed in paragraph (9) of this subdivision, the commissioner shall adopt said findings and recommendations as the commissioner's findings and recommendations to the Board of Regents.
    9. Appeal of deputy commissioner's recommendations. The procedures prescribed in paragraph (12) of subdivision (a) of this section shall apply.
    10. Regents decision. At a regularly scheduled public meeting, the Board of Regents shall consider the findings and recommendations of the commissioner and make the final determinations on accreditation action and program reregistration.

Rules of the Board of Regents
Effective May 16, 2002

Amendment to Section 13.11
13.11 Representations as to registration, licensing, accreditation, or approval.

  1. An institution which is registered or licensed by the Regents or the commissioner, or accredited by the Regents and the commissioner, or whose courses of study are registered by the commissioner or the department, or whose programs are accredited by the Regents, shall make no statement as to such licensing, [or] registration, or accreditation in its publications, letterheads, advertising or promotional material or other written materials prepared for distribution to or for the information of the public, except as follows:
    1. . . .
    2. . . .
    3. . . .
    4. An institution which is accredited by the Regents and the commissioner may make the statement "Accredited by the New York State Board of Regents and the New York State Commissioner of Education."
    5. An institution whose programs are accredited by the Regents may make the statement, with respect only to such programs as are so accredited, "Accredited by the New York State Board of Regents."
  2. No institution or organization which is incorporated by the Regents, or registered or licensed by the Regents or the commissioner, or accredited by the Regents and the commissioner, or whose courses of study are registered by the commissioner or the department, or whose programs are accredited by the Regents, shall, in its publications, letterheads, advertising or promotional material or other written materials prepared for distribution to or for the information of the public, use the word "approved" or its derivatives to describe or characterize the action of the Regents, the commissioner or the department with respect to such institution or organization, or its programs, except that:
Last Updated: October 22, 2009