(vi) Programs leading to extensions for classroom teaching certificates in any title at the middle childhood education, adolescence education, or all grades levels or for provisional, permanent, initial, or professional certificates in the school counselor title to authorize coordination of work-based learning programs [for career exploration or to authorize coordination of discipline-specific and diversified work-based learning programs for career development] shall require study of at least six semester hours in developing, implementing, coordinating, and evaluating work-based learning experiences and programs.

2. Subdivision (e) of section 80-4.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:

(e) Requirement for the extension in coordinator of work-based learning programs [for career awareness].

(1) The extension shall authorize the candidate to coordinate work-based learning programs [for career awareness], such as programs providing extended shadowing experiences, the General Education Work Experience and Career Exploration Program (GEWEP), [and the Work Experience and Career Exploration Program (WECEP)] the Cooperative Career and Technical Education Work Experience Program (CO-OP), the Career Exploration Internship Program (CEIP), and internship and youth apprenticeship/pre-apprenticeship programs; provided that CO-OP and youth apprenticeship/pre-apprenticeship programs shall be supervised in coordination with a teacher certified in the content area in which the placement takes place.

(2) The candidate shall meet the requirements in each of the following subparagraphs:

(i) The candidate shall hold a valid [provisional,] permanent, initial, emergency COVID-19, or professional certificate [for] in the classroom teaching service in any title [in] at the middle childhood education [including students with disabilities (5-9)], [any title in] adolescence education [including students with disabilities (7-12)], or [any title in (K-12)] all grade levels;or a valid provisional [or], permanent, initial, or professional certificate in the title school counselor [(Pre-K-12)].

(ii) …

(iii) …

3. Subdivision (f) of section 80-4.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is REPEALED and subdivision (g) through subdivision (t) are relettered subdivision (f) through subdivision (s).

1. STATUTORY AUTHORITY:

Education Law § 101 (not subdivided) charges the Department with the general management and supervision of all public schools and all of the educational work of the state.

Education Law § 207 grants general rule-making authority to the Regents to carry into effect State educational laws and policies.

Education Law § 208 grants general rule-making authority to the Regents to confer suitable certificates, diplomas and degrees on persons who satisfactorily meet the requirements prescribed.

Education Law § 305 authorizes the Commissioner to enforce the educational policies of this State and execute all educational policies determined by the Regents and shall prescribe the licensing of teachers employed in this State.

Education Law § 3001 establishes the qualifications of teachers in the classroom.

Education Law § 3004 authorizes the Commissioner to promulgate regulations governing the certification requirements for teachers employed in public schools.

Education Law § 3009 prohibits school districts from paying the salary of an unqualified teacher.

2. LEGISLATIVE OBJECTIVES:

The proposed amendment is consistent with the above statutory authority and is necessary to implement Regents policy by streamlining the two extensions for coordinators of work-based learning programs by consolidating the two extensions into one extension, thereby enabling educators to coordinate a wider range of work-based learning programs.

3. NEEDS AND BENEFITS:

There are currently two types of extensions for coordinators of work-based learning programs which focus on the different types of programming coordinated by the certificate holder.

Sections 52.21 and 80-4.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education describe the coursework requirements for the two extensions. The coursework requirement for both extensions is six semester hours in developing, implementing, coordinating, and evaluating work-based learning experiences and programs. These semester hours may be completed as part of a New York State registered program that leads to the extensions for coordinators of work-based learning programs. The experience requirement, however, is different for the two extensions, with the Coordinator of Work-Based Learning Programs for Career Awareness extension requiring 300 clock hours of work experience outside of classroom teaching and the Coordinator of Work-Based Learning Programs for Career Development extension requiring 600 such hours.

In May 2021, the Department assembled the Work-Based Learning Content Advisory Panel (CAP) as part of New York State’s Perkins plan. The CAP is comprised of a cross-section of various stakeholders representing work-based learning programs that are offered by school districts and boards of cooperative educational services (BOCES). The CAP, as well as the New York State Work Experience Coordinators’ Association, recommended streamlining the two extensions for coordinators of work-based learning programs in order to provide maximum benefits for districts, BOCES, and the field of work-based learning as a whole. Specifically, they recommended consolidating the two extensions into one extension that would enable educators to coordinate a wider range of work-based learning programs. The CAP also recommended that the base certificate requirement for this new, single extension for coordinators of work-based learning programs be the same as the base certificate requirement for the Coordinator of Work-Based Learning Programs for Career Awareness extension, which includes a broader range of certificate titles than the base certificate requirement for the Coordinator of Work-Based Learning Programs for Career Development extension.

Additionally, there is an increased demand for work-based learning opportunities in districts and BOCES. Many districts and BOCES have experienced difficulties in finding qualified educators to serve as coordinators of work-based learning programs. With New York’s Perkins V State plan now having a program quality indicator that all students in NYSED-approved programs complete at least 54 hours of work-based learning, it is critical that New York maintains a sufficient number of work-based learning coordinators to meet this need. The availability of the CDOS (Career Development and Occupational Studies) Commencement Credential to all students and as a graduation pathway has also increased the demand for work-based learning opportunities in schools. Career and technical education remain a persistent statewide shortage area, which further reduces the pool of teachers who are eligible for the Coordinator of Work-Based Learning Programs for Career Development extension.

Therefore, the Department proposes to create a new uniform “Coordinator of Work-Based Learning Programs” extension that would replace the two current extensions described above. The proposed new extension will permit holders to coordinate extended shadowing experiences, CO-OP, CEIP, GEWEP, and internship and youth apprenticeship/pre-apprenticeship programs.¹ These work-based learning programs are the combined programs that holders of the two current extensions may coordinate. WECEP programs are not included as they no longer exist.

The proposed extension will also have the same base certificate, coursework, and experience requirements as the Coordinator of Work-Based Learning Programs for Career Awareness extension, with some revisions. The revisions include removing references to Provisional teaching certificates that no longer exist and adding Initial and Professional School Counselor certificates that become effective February 2, 2023, as eligible certificates for the base certificate requirement.

The registration requirements for programs leading to a coordinator of work-based learning programs extension as outlined above would not change; specifically, at least six semester hours of coursework in developing, implementing, coordinating, and evaluating work-based learning experiences and programs (8 NYCRR 52.21(b)(4)(vi)). However, the proposed rule indicates the types of base certificates for the extension and updates the description of the extension for the coordination of work-based learning programs to reflect the single extension in the registration requirements. The proposed amendment will not require institutions that have registered programs leading to a coordinator of work-based learning programs extension to revise their programs.

4. COSTS:

a. Costs to State government: The amendment does not impose any costs on State government, including the State Education Department.

b. Costs to local government: The amendment does not impose any costs on local government. Additionally, the Department notes that this proposed amendment will provide flexibility for school districts and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) by enabling educators to obtain a single extension in order to coordinate a wider range of work-based learning programs.

c. Costs to private regulated parties: The amendment does not impose any costs on private regulated parties. The registration requirements for programs leading to a coordinator of work-based learning programs extension would not change; specifically, at least six semester hours of coursework in developing, implementing, coordinating, and evaluating work-based learning experiences and programs (8 NYCRR 52.21(b)(4)(vi)). The proposed amendment will not require institutions that have registered programs leading to a coordinator of work-based learning programs extension to revise their programs.

d. Costs to regulating agency for implementation and continued administration: See above.

5. LOCAL GOVERNMENT MANDATES:

The proposed amendment does not impose any additional program, service, duty or responsibility upon any local government.

6. PAPERWORK:

The proposed amendment does not impose any additional paperwork requirements.

7. DUPLICATION:

The proposed amendment does not duplicate existing State or Federal requirements.

8. ALTERNATIVES:

The proposed rule is necessary to provide flexibility for school districts and BOCES by enabling educators to obtain a single extension in order to coordinate a wider range of work-based learning programs. No alternatives were considered.

9. FEDERAL STANDARDS:

There are no applicable Federal standards.

10. COMPLIANCE SCHEDULE:

Following the 60-day public comment period required under the State Administrative Procedure Act, it is anticipated that the proposed amendment will be presented to the Board of Regents for adoption at its March 2023 meeting. If adopted at the March 2023 meeting, the proposed amendment will become effective on March 29, 2023. It is anticipated that regulated parties will be able to comply with the proposed rule on its effective date.

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¹ CO-OP and youth apprenticeship/pre-apprenticeship programs must be supervised in coordination with a teacher certified in the content area in which the placement takes place.

The purpose of the proposed amendment of sections 52.21 and 80-4.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education relating to extensions for coordinators of work-based learning programs is to streamline the two extensions for coordinators of work-based learning programs by consolidating the two extensions into one extension, thereby enabling educators to coordinate a wider range of work-based learning programs. Thus, the proposed rule applies to educator preparation programs leading to a coordinator of work-based learning programs extension and candidates for such extension.

The amendment does not impose any new recordkeeping or other compliance requirements and will not have an adverse economic impact on small businesses or local governments. Because it is evident from the nature of the proposed amendment that it will not affect small businesses or local governments, no further steps were needed to ascertain that fact and none were taken. Accordingly, a regulatory flexibility analysis for small businesses is not required and one has not been prepared.

1. TYPES AND ESTIMATED NUMBERS OF RURAL AREAS:

The proposed amendment applies to educator preparation programs leading to a coordinator of work-based learning programs extension or candidates for such extension including those located in the 44 rural counties with fewer than 200,000 inhabitants and the 71 towns and urban counties with a population density of 150 square miles or less.

2. REPORTING, RECORDKEEPING, AND OTHER COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS; AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES:

The Department proposes to create a new uniform “Coordinator of Work-Based Learning Programs” extension that would replace the two current extensions. The proposed new extension will permit holders to coordinate extended shadowing experiences, CO-OP, CEIP, GEWEP, and internship and youth apprenticeship/pre-apprenticeship programs.¹ These work-based learning programs are the combined programs that holders of the two current extensions may coordinate.

The proposed extension will also have the same base certificate, coursework, and experience requirements as the Coordinator of Work-Based Learning Programs for Career Awareness extension, with some revisions. The revisions include removing references to Provisional teaching certificates that no longer exist and adding Initial and Professional School Counselor certificates that become effective February 2, 2023, as eligible certificates for the base certificate requirement.

The registration requirements for programs leading to a coordinator of work-based learning programs extension as outlined above would not change; specifically, at least six semester hours of coursework in developing, implementing, coordinating, and evaluating work-based learning experiences and programs (8 NYCRR 52.21(b)(4)(vi)). However, the proposed rule indicates the types of base certificates for the extension and updates the description of the extension for the coordination of work-based learning programs to reflect the single extension in the registration requirements. The proposed amendment will not require institutions that have registered programs leading to a coordinator of work-based learning programs extension to revise their programs.

3. COSTS:

The proposed amendment does not impose any costs on programs leading to a coordinator of work-based learning programs extension or candidates for such extension, including those located in rural areas.

4. MINIMIZING ADVERSE IMPACT:

The proposed rule will not have any adverse economic impact on regulated parties, including those located in rural areas. As noted above, registration requirements for programs leading to a coordinator of work-based learning programs extension as outlined above would not change and the proposed extension will also have the same base certificate, coursework, and experience requirements as the Coordinator of Work-Based Learning Programs for Career Awareness extension, with some revisions.

Additionally, the department notes that this proposed amendment will provide flexibility for school districts and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES)by enabling educators to obtain a single extension in order to coordinate a wider range of work-based learning programs.

Therefore, no alternatives were considered for regulated parties located in rural areas of the State.

5. RURAL AREA PARTICIPATION:

A Copy of the proposed amendment has been provided to the Work Experience Coordinator Association (WECA) and the New York Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (NYACTE), which has members located in rural areas, for review and comment.

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¹ CO-OP and youth apprenticeship/pre-apprenticeship programs must be supervised in coordination with a teacher certified in the content area in which the placement takes place.

The purpose of the proposed amendment of sections 52.21 and 80-4.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education relating to extensions for coordinators of work-based learning programs is to streamline the two extensions for coordinators of work-based learning programs by consolidating the two extensions into one extension, thereby enabling educators to coordinate a wider range of work-based learning programs. Thus, the proposed rule applies to educator preparation programs leading to a coordinator of work-based learning programs extension and candidates for such extension.

Because it is evident from the nature of the proposed amendment that it will have no impact on the existing number of jobs or employment opportunities in New York State, no further steps were needed to ascertain that fact and none were taken.