Office of Teaching Initiatives

Date:               June 4 & 5, 2009                                                  
Location:         State Education Department, Seminar Room 5A&B, Albany, New York

Members Present

Debra Colley, co-chair
Eric Gidseg, co-chair
Richard Ahola
Richard Feller
Catalina Fortino
Cheryl Freedman

Jan Hammond
Rosemary Harrigan
Aseba Harris
Lloyd Jaeger
Gerald Mager
Nicholas Michelli

Joseph Perez
Susan Phillips
Evelyn Rich
Walter Robertson
Pamela Sandoval
Frank Scelsa

MEMBERS ABSENT

Sheila Appel
Allison Cugini

April McKoy
Susan Mittler
Patricia  Roberts

Diane Rowe
Gail Sookdeo
Stephen Uebbing

STAFF PRESENT

June 4, 2009

1. Call to Order

The first session of Day One of the meeting was called to order by the co-chairs at 12:15 p.m.

2. May Meeting Follow-up/ Announcements

1. The co-chairs reported on actions taken in follow-up to the May meeting.

3. Meeting Minutes

Motion :
That the minutes of the May 2009 meeting are approved.
(Moved by D.Colley, seconded by J.Hammond carried)

4. Mentoring  Standards

Motion :
That the draft of the Mentoring Standards document be approved for dissemination to the field for comment. ( Attachment 1)
( Moved by R. Ahola, seconded by F.Scelsa, carried) 

5. Policy Review

Bob Bentley reported  on :
1.  The process for distributing the Professional Development Standards to the field.

2.  The proposed regulatory actions on the Supplementary certificate sunset date and a Supplementary bilingual education extension being brought to the Regents in June.

3. The restructured special education certification for Regents consideration in the fall.

6.  Adjournment

The co-chairs adjourned the first session of Day One of the meeting at 12:55 p.m.

7. Call to Order

The second session of Day One of the meeting was called to order by the co-chairs at 3:22 p.m.

8. Accreditation and ARRA Update

Joe Frey provided an update on:

1. Expected ARRA funding and funding priorities.
2. The Departments exploration of the “Residency” model and its’ implication for undergraduate teacher preparation programs.

9. Ad Hoc Group Reports

Teacher Education Policy-
Nick Michelli reported on the meeting with the members of the Ad Hoc Committee on Teacher Education and members of the Higher Education Subcommittee with Vice Chancellor Cofield to discuss the Report on the Accreditation of Teacher Education in NYS. The group will develop a 1-2 page summary of the report to present to the Regents.

Mentoring-
Catalina Fortino reported that the group had specific recommendations concerning the dissemination of the draft of the Mentoring Standards Document. The group plans to review the field comments in the fall and develop a final document for approval in the spring of 2010.

Professional Development-
Rosemary Harrigan reported that the group is prepared to hand over the Professional Development Guidance document to the Department for further development and dissemination. She distributed a sample rubric. The Teacher Centers have volunteered to work with the Department to develop rubrics for all the standards. The group will work on Teacher Standards for the 09-10 year.

10. Closing remarks

The co-chairs thanked Evelyn Rich for her commitment and service to the Board and wished her well in the future.

11. Adjournment

The co-chairs adjourned the second session of Day One at 4:50 p.m.

June 5, 2009

1.  Call to Order

Day Two of the meeting was called to order by the co-chairs at 10:17 a.m.

2. Announcements

The co-chairs acknowledged Nick Michelli whose term was expiring and Aseba Harris who is leaving the Board and thanked them for their contributions. The co-chairs acknowledged Nancy Taylor-Baumes who is retiring and thanked her for her commitment and service to the Board.

3. Subcommittee Reports

Professional Practices Subcommittee: Rosemary Harrigan, chair, reported that the subcommittee met on June 5, prior to the full board meeting. The subcommittee reviewed 15 Part 83 cases. The subcommittee also discussed the topic of teacher leadership.

Higher Education Subcommittee: Nick Michelli, chair, reported that the subcommittee met on June 5, prior to the full board meeting. The subcommittee conducted one RATE review. The subcommittee noted their concern with the Department’s postponement of four college reviews due to the budget. The subcommittee requested the co-chairs send a letter to the Regents expressing the Boards’ concern with funding issues related to RATE.

4. Teacher Leadership

Rosemary Harrigan led the Boards discussion on teacher leadership. The board reviewed and added to a list of critical questions.

5. Annual Report to the Regents

Members reviewed a draft of this year’s annual report to the Regents and suggested modifications. A priority Agenda for 2009-2010 will be developed and included within the report.

6.  Priority Agenda for 2009-2010

The co-chairs facilitated the development of a priority agenda for 2009-2010. The information will be used by the planning committee to finalize a priority agenda. (Attachment 2)

7. Evaluation

End of year evaluations were handed out and collected. 

8. Adjournment

The co-chairs adjourned Day Two of the meeting at 12:43 p.m.