OCTOBER 18, 2001

1. Call To Order

Day One of the meeting was called to order by co-chair J. Rose at 11:53 a.m.

2. Announcements

1. Board members are invited to attend the NYSATE/NYACTE conference dinner this evening as its guests.
2. The Office of Teaching is adding photographs of Board members to the Standards Board page of the OT web site. Members are asked to sign photograph release forms.

Motion: That the minutes of the September 2001 meeting be approved.

(Moved by T. Berman, seconded by L. Ramirez, carried.)

Professional Practices Subcommittee – Maria Neira, chair, reported that the subcommittee met on October 18, prior to the full board meeting. The subcommittee received an update on funding for the State Teacher Resource and Computer Training Center Program. The subcommittee discussed the Code of Ethics, Gaps 1 & 2 of the Evaluation Plan, and the mentoring draft. The sub-committee also reviewed Part 83 cases.

Higher Education Subcommittee – Pat Allen, chair, reported that the subcommittee met on September 20, prior to the full board meeting. The subcommittee reviewed the first staff draft of requirements for the Regents Accreditation system, and discussed Gap 3 of the Evaluation Plan.

5. Subcommittee Assignments

The co-chair announced that Hubert Keen has been appointed to the Higher Education Subcommittee and recommended that Nicholas Michelli be appointed to the Professional Practices Subcommittee.

Motion 1: That Nicholas Michelli be appointed to the Professional Practices Subcommittee.

(Moved by N. Weekes, seconded by P. Allen, carried with one abstention.)

6. Evaluation of Regents Policy Initiatives

The Professional Practices and Higher Education Subcommittees reported on the portions of the evaluation plan each has begun constructing, followed by full Board discussion of the overall plan.

N. Michelli reported on the grant CUNY has to conduct an evaluation of the alternative teacher certification program in New York City. He will provide copies of the CUNY evaluation study design to the Board for comment.

7. Learner Support Services

C. Mackey and N. Brennan presented a draft of a concept paper on Learner Support Services as a replacement for Pupil Personnel Services and gave a timeline for consultation with the field and the drafting of regulations.

8. Mentoring

C. Mackey shared responses received from other Department staff to the draft of mentoring requirement proposed by the Board.

Motion 2:

To adopt a statement reiterating the Board’s support of its original recommended language on a mentoring requirement.

(Moved by R. Berman, seconded by J. Mager, tabled.)

Motion 3:

To table Motion 2 to allow time to draft a formal statement on this issue.

(Moved by H. Keen, N. Michelli, carried.)

9. Substitute Teaching

C. Mackey and N. Taylor Baumes presented staff recommendations on amending the regulation governing the employment of substitute teachers.

Motion 4:

The Board supports the staff recommendations (dated 10/01) on substitute teaching requirements, with the exception of the requirement pertaining to BEDS reporting.

(Moved by M. Cannie, seconded by S. Ahoklui, carried.)

10. Adjournment

Co-chair J. Rose adjourned the meeting at 4:33 p.m.

OCTOBER 19, 2001

1. Call To Order

Day Two of the meeting was called to order by co-chair J. Rose at 9:15 a.m.

2. Statement on Mentoring

J. Rose shared a draft statement for incorporation into the previously introduced motion on mentoring.

Motion 1: To untable the motion made yesterday (Motion 2, 10/18/01).

(Moved by N. Michelli, seconded by N. Weekes, carried.)

Motion 2: (Motion 2, 10/08/01) To adopt the following statement:

The following resolution grew out of the Professional Standards and Practices Board’s concern with the proposed language in the draft mentoring requirement prepared by Department staff (dated 10/11/01), which does not reflect the recommendations of the Standards Board.

Resolution:

At the heart of recruiting and retaining quality teachers to reach higher standards for New York State students is an effective mentoring/induction program. The critical elements of an effective mentoring/induction program are outlined in the State Professional Standards and Practices Board’s proposed requirements (attached).

Believing that a strong mentoring/induction program is the cornerstone of the Regents initiatives to improve teaching, the Standards Board urges, in the strongest language, the Regents and the Commissioner to take the necessary actions to ensure the statewide implementation of quality mentoring as defined in our proposal.

Since an effective mentoring/induction program will not emerge without adequate funding, the Standards Board urges, in the strongest language, the Regents, the Commissioner, the Governor, and the Legislature to make funding available for an effective mentoring/induction program.

(Moved by Berman, seconded by Mager, carried.)

P. Allen reported on the recommendations the Higher Education subcommittee made to staff, for consideration/incorporation into the next staff draft of proposed amendments to Regents Rules regarding the Regents Accreditation program.

4. Code of Ethics

C. Mackey reported on the Regents discussion of the Standards Board’s draft Code of Ethics at the Committee on Higher and Continuing Education meeting in September, and indicated the draft can now be mailed.

C. Mackey also presented language amending the Code’s Statement of Purpose proposed by the Office of Counsel.

Motion 3:

To accept the proposed language change to the Statement of Purpose as proposed by Counsel.

(Moved by N. Weekes, seconded by S. Ahoklui, carried.)

Motion 4:

To add "civic" to Principle 1, to read, "Teachers nurture the intellectual, physical, emotional, social, and civic potential of each student."

(Moved by N. Michelli, seconded by M. Pirkle, carried.)

J. Rose asked that members submit to her or N. Taylor Baumes possible questions to accompany the draft Code of Ethics in the mailing. In addition, members should provide staff with the names and addresses of any organizations they wish to add to the Department’s mailing list no later than the November meeting.

The 2001-2002 Christa McAuliffe Fellows presented their projects to the Board: Linda Messina, David Livingston, and Kenneth C. Gutwein.

Board members discussed the projected long-range agenda and made suggestions for additions and changes. The next version will be provided at the November meeting.

7. Other Matters

M. Neira asked that the minutes reflect her concern about the difficulty of the Board coming to understandings and decisions when members leave early.

8. Adjournment

Co-chair J. Rose adjourned the meeting at 1:51 p.m.