(v) When the revised content specialty examination(s) in biology, chemistry, earth science and physics become available, a candidate may take either the applicable revised content specialty examination or the applicable predecessor content specialty examination in biology, chemistry, earth science or physics, for one year after the applicable revised content specialty examination(s) become operational.

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 (not subdivided) grants general rule-making authority to the Regents to carry into effect State educational laws and policies.

Education Law 305(1) and (3) 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 3003 authorizes the Commissioner to issue permanent certificates to school superintendents.

Education Law 3004(1) 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 Department is proposing to create safety nets for the CSTs in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science and Physics that would become effective when the revised CSTs in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science and Physics become operational. When these revised CSTs become operational, a candidate would be able to take either the applicable revised CST or the applicable predecessor CST in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science or Physics for one year after the revised CSTs becomes operational. The proposed safety nets allow candidates to be held harmless during a one-year transition period from the predecessor CSTs to the revised CSTs.

3. NEEDS AND BENEFITS:

In December 2016, the Department adopted the New York State P-12 Science Learning Standards. The new standards prompted the Department to redevelop the Content Specialty Tests (CSTs) for certification in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science and Physics. Through the test redevelopment process, the test frameworks and items were redesigned to ensure that candidates in the science subject areas demonstrated the knowledge reflected in the new standards.

It is anticipated that the revised CSTs in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science and Physics will become operational in Fall 2019. The test frameworks for the revised science CSTs are available online for candidates and teacher preparation programs to assist in the preparation of candidates for the revised tests.

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.

c. Costs to private regulated parties: The amendment does not impose any costs on private regulated parties.

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:

Because the State believes that uniform certification standards are required across the State, 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 September 2019 meeting. If adopted at the September 2019 meeting, the proposed amendment will become effective on September 25, 2019.

The purpose of the proposed amendment to Section 80-1.5 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is to create safety nets for the CSTs in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science and Physics that would become effective when the revised CSTs in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science and Physics become operational. When these revised CSTs become operational, a candidate would be able to take either the applicable revised CST or the applicable predecessor CST in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science or Physics for one year after the revised CSTs becomes operational. The proposed safety nets allow candidates to be held harmless during a one-year transition period from the predecessor CSTs to the revised CSTs.

In December 2016, the Department adopted the New York State P-12 Science Learning Standards. The new standards prompted the Department to redevelop the Content Specialty Tests (CSTs) for certification in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science and Physics. Through the test redevelopment process, the test frameworks and items were redesigned to ensure that candidates in the science subject areas demonstrated the knowledge reflected in the new standards.

It is anticipated that the revised CSTs in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science and Physics will become operational in Fall 2019. The test frameworks for the revised science CSTs are available online for candidates and teacher preparation programs to assist in the preparation of candidates for the revised tests.

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 does 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:

This proposed amendment applies to all candidates of the CST in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science and Physics, 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 purpose of the proposed amendment to Section 80-1.5 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is to create safety nets for the CSTs in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science and Physics that would become effective when the revised CSTs in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science and Physics become operational. When these revised CSTs become operational, a candidate would be able to take either the applicable revised CST or the applicable predecessor CST in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science or Physics for one year after the revised CSTs becomes operational. The proposed safety nets allow candidates to be held harmless during a one-year transition period from the predecessor CSTs to the revised CSTs.

In December 2016, the Department adopted the New York State P-12 Science Learning Standards. The new standards prompted the Department to redevelop the Content Specialty Tests (CSTs) for certification in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science and Physics. Through the test redevelopment process, the test frameworks and items were redesigned to ensure that candidates in the science subject areas demonstrated the knowledge reflected in the new standards.

It is anticipated that the revised CSTs in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science and Physics will become operational in Fall 2019. The test frameworks for the revised science CSTs are available online for candidates and teacher preparation programs to assist in the preparation of candidates for the revised tests.

3. COSTS:

The proposed amendment does not impose any costs on CST candidates and/or the New York State school districts/BOCES who wish to hire them.

4. MINIMIZING ADVERSE IMPACT:

The Department believes that uniform standards for certification must be established across the State. Therefore, no alternatives were considered for those located in rural areas of the State.

5. RURAL AREA PARTICIPATION:

Copies of the proposed amendments have been provided to Rural Advisory Committee for review and comment.

The purpose of the proposed amendment to Section 80-1.5 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is to create safety nets for the CSTs in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science and Physics that would become effective when the revised CSTs in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science and Physics become operational. When these revised CSTs become operational, a candidate would be able to take either the applicable revised CST or the applicable predecessor CST in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science or Physics for one year after the revised CSTs becomes operational. The proposed safety nets allow candidates to be held harmless during a one-year transition period from the predecessor CSTs to the revised CSTs.

In December 2016, the Department adopted the New York State P-12 Science Learning Standards. The new standards prompted the Department to redevelop the Content Specialty Tests (CSTs) for certification in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science and Physics. Through the test redevelopment process, the test frameworks and items were redesigned to ensure that candidates in the science subject areas demonstrated the knowledge reflected in the new standards.

It is anticipated that the revised CSTs in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science and Physics will become operational in Fall 2019. The test frameworks for the revised science CSTs are available online for candidates and teacher preparation programs to assist in the preparation of candidates for the revised tests.

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