Office of Teaching Initiatives

Date: January 17 & 18, 2008
Location: State Education Department, Seminar Room 5A&B, Albany, New York

Members Present

Debra Colley, co-chair
Eric Gidseg, co-chair
Richard Ahola
Sheila Appel
Allison Cugini
Desma DeGraw
Richard Feller
Catalina Fortino

Cheryl Freedman
Rosemary Harrigan
Lloyd Jaeger
Gerald Mager
Susan Mittler
Eva Mroczka
Joseph Perez

Susan Phillips
Tira Randall
Evie Rich
Pamela Sandoval
Kathy Taylor
Sally Thompson
Stephen Uebbing

MEMBERS ABSENT

Erik Bitterbaum
Nicholas Michelli
Patricia Roberts
Frank Scelsa
Gale Sookdeo

STAFF PRESENT

January 17, 2008

1. Call to Order/

Information Items

Day One of the meeting was called to order by the co-chairs at 3:36 p.m.

1. The Board welcomed new member Stephen Uebbing from the University of Rochester.
2. The co-chairs provided follow-up to the December meeting, regarding:

• the conference call on the proposed leadership regulatory change
• the co-chairs’ meeting with the Regents Higher and Professional Committee.

2. Meeting Minutes

Motion:

That the minutes of the December 2007 meeting be approved.

(Moved by A. Cugini, seconded by C. Freedman, carried.)

3. Subcommittee Reports

Professional Practices Subcommittee: Rosemary Harrigan, chair, reported that the subcommittee met on January 17, prior to the full Board meeting. The subcommittee reviewed seven Part 83 cases and discussed, with OSPRA staff, SED’s Legislative request regarding Part 83 functions and a possible course on ethics for educators. The subcommittee expressed concern for the level of SED staffing for the Teacher Center program. The subcommittee also discussed the concept of “teacher leadership”, which will be continued at the March meeting.

Higher Education Subcommittee: Lloyd Jaeger, chair pro tem, reported that the subcommittee met on January 17, prior to the full Board meeting. The subcommittee worked on developing its agenda relating to teacher policy review, including examination of RATE/ accreditation data.

4. Proposed Regulations: School Leadership

Jerry Mager summarized the conference call held on January 4, with 10 members participating, regarding the proposed changes to preparation and certification requirements for school leaders.

5. Co-Chair Meeting with Regents

Co-chairs Debbie Colley and Eric Gidseg reported on their meeting with the Regents Higher and Professional Education Committee at the January meeting. They discussed the need to establish better communication channels and possible ways to accomplish this. The co-chairs will follow up with a letter to the Committee.

6. SED Policy Update

Bob Bentley reported on the following:

• Staff are working with external experts on a conceptual approach to implement the statute on autism. When ready, this will be shared with the Board.
  
  
• Staff are considering alternative approaches to address teacher supply issues in light of the sunset of individual evaluation.
• Proposed changes the certification requirements for school leadership titles and leadership exam schedule that the Regents will consider at their January meeting.
• Regents have approved, in concept, the proposed regulation being drafted to implement the tenure statute. Staff is drafting language.

7. Adjournment

The co-chairs adjourned Day One of the meeting at 5:30 p.m.

January 18, 2008

1. Call to Order

Day Two of the meeting was called to order by the co-chairs at 8:20 a.m.

2. Proposed Restructuring of Special Education Certification

Joe Frey described the various proposals being considered to restructure special education certification and the recent memo that went to the field. He asked for feedback/input, by February 15 if possible.

3. Regents 2008-2009 Legislative and Budget Priorities

Joe Frey reviewed the Regents priorities for the upcoming year, with particular attention on initiatives related to teaching.

Full Board adjourned for Ad hoc group meetings .Full Board reconvened at 10:20.

4. Ad Hoc Work Groups

Ad hoc groups reported:

• Professional Development- Susan Phillips reported that the group began its review of the comments received to the draft Professional Development Standards, and described the steps used in this review process. The review process will continue at the March meeting.
  
  
• Teacher Policy- Lloyd Jaeger reported that the group is still narrowing the focus of its review that includes data systems, program accreditation and registration processes, and teacher certification.
  
  
• Mentoring- Catalina reported that the group has been reviewing the research on mentoring and formed guiding questions for examining mentoring. In March, the group will continue its review of research and identify the major themes for its work.

5. Legislative Education Visits

The plan to conduct visits to key Legislative and Executive staff on March 12 was discussed. Priority topics were identified and members identified to draft materials. Members are asked to indicate their availability for participating in the visits soon.

6. Adjournment

The co-chairs adjourned Day Two of the meeting at 12:30 p.m.