• Length of student teaching. The unit of measurement for length of the student teaching experience would be 70 school days, or its equivalent, instead of a full semester of at least 14 weeks, full-time. By converting the measurement from weeks to days and removing the “full-time” requirement, institutions would have greater flexibility to design placements that fit their academic calendar.

• Multiple certificates. Candidates pursuing more than one certificate title could complete placements of at least 35 school days for each certificate title instead of two placements of at least seven weeks or one placement of at least 14 weeks. The current requirement does not account for more than two placements.

• Full-time status. The requirement that candidates must be credited with at least the number of semester hours required to obtain full-time status at the institution during the student teaching experience or residency would be removed. This requirement would increase the number of semester hours, and thus tuition, for student teaching at some institutions, creating a financial barrier for candidates.

• Library Media Specialist programs. Library media specialist candidates are required to complete two practica in elementary and secondary schools under the current and new student teaching requirements. For the current student teaching requirements, the proposed change would permit one practicum and allow the combined field experiences and practicum to be in both elementary and secondary schools. The requirement of two practica would be removed in the new student teaching requirements, allowing a practicum to be in one type of setting if desired or needed due to the limited availability of placements.

Additionally, the proposal extends the timeline for programs to implement the new student teaching requirements by one year. As such, the program changes would apply to candidates who enroll in a program in the Fall 2024 semester and later, and the corresponding revisions to the teaching experience requirements for the individual evaluation pathway to certification would be effective for candidates who apply for a certificate on or after September 1, 2028.

Proposed Amendments to Section 80-3.7

For the individual evaluation pathway, the proposed amendment would allow candidates who apply for certification prior to September 1, 2028 to satisfy the teaching experience requirement by completing 40 schools days, or its equivalent, in a college-supervised student teaching experience or as an employed teacher. On or after September 1, 2028, candidates may satisfy the new teaching experience requirement by completing 70 school days, or its equivalent, in a college-supervised student teaching experience or as an employed teacher. The addition of the phrase “or its equivalent” provides more flexibility for candidates in calculating the amount of student teaching or teaching experience for certification, permitting a variety of part-time experiences that could be equivalent to 40 or 70 school days. The proposed amendment replaces the employment requirement of 70 full-time school days or 140 half-time school days that must include at least one continuous period of no fewer than 35 school days.

The proposed amendment also includes technical revisions, replacing the term “students” with “candidates” and the term “school-based teacher” with “school-based teacher educator.”

1. STATUTORY AUTHORITY:

Education Law § 101 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 § 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(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 § 308 empowers the commissioner to cause to be instituted such proceedings and processes as may be necessary to property enforce and give effect to any provision in the Education Law or in any other general or special law pertaining to the school system of the state or any part thereof or to any school district or city and to enforce any rule or direction of the regents.

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

Education Law § 3004(1) authorizes the Commissioner to promulgate regulations governing the certification requirements for teachers employed in public schools.

Education Law § 3009(1) prohibits school districts from paying the salary of an unqualified teacher.

2. LEGISLATIVE OBJECTIVES:

The purpose of the proposed amendments to Sections 52.21 and 80-3.7 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education relating to student teaching requirements for teacher certification and the registration of teacher preparation programs is to extend, by one year, the new student teaching requirements and to amend such requirements in response to feedback from the field.

3. NEEDS AND BENEFITS:

At its April 2019 meeting, the Board of Regents adopted changes to the student teaching requirements for registered teacher preparation programs that apply to candidates who enroll in a program in the Fall 2022 semester and later. Corresponding revisions to the teaching experience requirement for the individual evaluation pathway to certification were also approved at this meeting for candidates who apply for a certificate on or after September 1, 2026. The teaching experience requirement can be satisfied through either a college-supervised student teaching experience or as an employed teacher.

These dates were extended by one year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic at the June 2021 Board of Regents meeting, giving programs additional time to make the required changes to their student teaching experiences and partnership agreements, if needed. The program changes are now effective for candidates who enroll in a program in the Fall 2023 semester and later. The corresponding revisions to the teaching experience requirement for the individual evaluation pathway are therefore scheduled to go into effect for candidates who apply for a certificate on or after September 1, 2027.

Teacher preparation program faculty and administrators have raised questions and expressed concerns about some of the new student teaching requirements, indicating that they adversely impact candidates and programs. The Department is proposing the following revisions to the new student teaching registration requirements in response to the concerns:

• Length of student teaching. The unit of measurement for length of the student teaching experience would be 70 school days, or its equivalent, instead of a full semester of at least 14 weeks, full-time. By converting the measurement from weeks to days and removing the “full-time” requirement, institutions would have greater flexibility to design placements that fit their academic calendar.

• Multiple certificates. Candidates pursuing more than one certificate title could complete placements of at least 35 school days for each certificate title instead of two placements of at least seven weeks or one placement of at least 14 weeks. The current requirement does not account for more than two placements.

• Full-time status. The requirement that candidates must be credited with at least the number of semester hours required to obtain full-time status at the institution during the student teaching experience or residency would be removed. This requirement would increase the number of semester hours, and thus tuition, for student teaching at some institutions, creating a financial barrier for candidates.

• Library Media Specialist programs. Library media specialist candidates are required to complete two practica in elementary and secondary schools under the current and new student teaching requirements. For the current student teaching requirements, the proposed change would permit one practicum and allow the combined field experiences and practicum to be in both elementary and secondary schools. The requirement of two practica would be removed in the new student teaching requirements, allowing a practicum to be in one type of setting if desired or needed due to the limited availability of placements.

Additionally, the proposal extends the timeline for programs to implement the new student teaching requirements by one year. As such, the program changes would apply to candidates who enroll in a program in the Fall 2024 semester and later, and the corresponding revisions to the teaching experience requirements for the individual evaluation pathway to certification would be effective for candidates who apply for a certificate on or after September 1, 2028.

For the individual evaluation pathway, the proposed amendment would allow candidates who apply for certification prior to September 1, 2028 to satisfy the teaching experience requirement by completing 40 schools days, or its equivalent, in a college-supervised student teaching experience or as an employed teacher. On or after September 1, 2028, candidates may satisfy the new teaching experience requirement by completing 70 school days, or its equivalent, in a college-supervised student teaching experience or as an employed teacher. The addition of the phrase “or its equivalent” provides more flexibility for candidates in calculating the amount of student teaching or teaching experience for certification, permitting a variety of part-time experiences that could be equivalent to 40 or 70 school days. The proposed amendment replaces the employment requirement of 70 full-time school days or 140 half-time school days that must include at least one continuous period of no fewer than 35 school days.

The proposed amendment also includes technical revisions, replacing the term “students” with “candidates” and the term “school-based teacher” with “school-based teacher educator.”

4. COSTS:

a. Costs to State government: The amendments impose minimal additional costs on State government, including the State Education Department.

b. Costs to local government: The amendments do not impose additional costs on local government, including New York State school districts and BOCES. Participation by school districts and BOCES in the clinical preparation of teacher candidates is voluntary.

c. Costs to private regulated parties: The amendments do not impose additional 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:

It is anticipated that the proposed amendment will be permanently adopted by the Board of Regents at its February 2023 meeting. If adopted at the February 2023 meeting, the proposed amendment will become effective on March 1, 2023.

The purpose of the proposed amendments to Sections 52.21 and 80-3.7 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education relating to student teaching requirements for teacher certification and the registration of teacher preparation programs is to extend, by one year, the new student teaching requirements and to amend such requirements in response to feedback from the field.

The proposed changes to teacher preparation programs include:

• Length of student teaching. The unit of measurement for length of the student teaching experience would be 70 school days, or its equivalent, instead of a full semester of at least 14 weeks, full-time. By converting the measurement from weeks to days and removing the “full-time” requirement, institutions would have greater flexibility to design placements that fit their academic calendar.

• Multiple certificates. Candidates pursuing more than one certificate title could complete placements of at least 35 school days for each certificate title instead of two placements of at least seven weeks or one placement of at least 14 weeks. The current requirement does not account for more than two placements.

• Full-time status. The requirement that candidates must be credited with at least the number of semester hours required to obtain full-time status at the institution during the student teaching experience or residency would be removed. This requirement would increase the number of semester hours, and thus tuition, for student teaching at some institutions, creating a financial barrier for candidates.

• Library Media Specialist programs. Library media specialist candidates are required to complete two practica in elementary and secondary schools under the current and new student teaching requirements. For the current student teaching requirements, the proposed change would permit one practicum and allow the combined field experiences and practicum to be in both elementary and secondary schools. The requirement of two practica would be removed in the new student teaching requirements, allowing a practicum to be in one type of setting if desired or needed due to the limited availability of placements.

Additionally, the proposal extends the timeline for programs to implement the new student teaching requirements by one year. As such, the program changes would apply to candidates who enroll in a program in the Fall 2024 semester and later, and the corresponding revisions to the teaching experience requirements for the individual evaluation pathway to certification would be effective for candidates who apply for a certificate on or after September 1, 2028.

For the individual evaluation pathway, the proposed amendment would allow candidates who apply for certification prior to September 1, 2028 to satisfy the teaching experience requirement by completing 40 schools days, or its equivalent, in a college-supervised student teaching experience or as an employed teacher. On or after September 1, 2028, candidates may satisfy the new teaching experience requirement by completing 70 school days, or its equivalent, in a college-supervised student teaching experience or as an employed teacher. The addition of the phrase “or its equivalent” provides more flexibility for candidates in calculating the amount of student teaching or teaching experience for certification, permitting a variety of part-time experiences that could be equivalent to 40 or 70 school days. The proposed amendment replaces the employment requirement of 70 full-time school days or 140 half-time school days that must include at least one continuous period of no fewer than 35 school days.

The proposed amendment also includes technical revisions, replacing the term “students” with “candidates” and the term “school-based teacher” with “school-based teacher educator.”

The amendments do not impose any new recordkeeping or other compliance requirements, and will not have an adverse economic impact on small businesses or local governments. Participation by school districts and BOCES in the clinical preparation of teacher candidates is voluntary. Because it is evident from the nature of the proposed amendments that they do 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 educator preparation providers (EPPs) and certain candidates for teacher certification in New York State, 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 amendments to Sections 52.21 and 80-3.7 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education relating to student teaching requirements for teacher certification and the registration of teacher preparation programs is to extend, by one year, the new student teaching requirements and to amend such requirements in response to feedback from the field.

• Length of student teaching. The unit of measurement for length of the student teaching experience would be 70 school days, or its equivalent, instead of a full semester of at least 14 weeks, full-time. By converting the measurement from weeks to days and removing the “full-time” requirement, institutions would have greater flexibility to design placements that fit their academic calendar.

• Multiple certificates. Candidates pursuing more than one certificate title could complete placements of at least 35 school days for each certificate title instead of two placements of at least seven weeks or one placement of at least 14 weeks. The current requirement does not account for more than two placements.

• Full-time status. The requirement that candidates must be credited with at least the number of semester hours required to obtain full-time status at the institution during the student teaching experience or residency would be removed. This requirement would increase the number of semester hours, and thus tuition, for student teaching at some institutions, creating a financial barrier for candidates.

• Library Media Specialist programs. Library media specialist candidates are required to complete two practica in elementary and secondary schools under the current and new student teaching requirements. For the current student teaching requirements, the proposed change would permit one practicum and allow the combined field experiences and practicum to be in both elementary and secondary schools. The requirement of two practica would be removed in the new student teaching requirements, allowing a practicum to be in one type of setting if desired or needed due to the limited availability of placements.

Additionally, the proposal extends the timeline for programs to implement the new student teaching requirements by one year. As such, the program changes would apply to candidates who enroll in a program in the Fall 2024 semester and later, and the corresponding revisions to the teaching experience requirements for the individual evaluation pathway to certification would be effective for candidates who apply for a certificate on or after September 1, 2028.

For the individual evaluation pathway, the proposed amendment would allow candidates who apply for certification prior to September 1, 2028 to satisfy the teaching experience requirement by completing 40 schools days, or its equivalent, in a college-supervised student teaching experience or as an employed teacher. On or after September 1, 2028, candidates may satisfy the new teaching experience requirement by completing 70 school days, or its equivalent, in a college-supervised student teaching experience or as an employed teacher. The addition of the phrase “or its equivalent” provides more flexibility for candidates in calculating the amount of student teaching or teaching experience for certification, permitting a variety of part-time experiences that could be equivalent to 40 or 70 school days. The proposed amendment replaces the employment requirement of 70 full-time school days or 140 half-time school days that must include at least one continuous period of no fewer than 35 school days.

The proposed amendment also includes technical revisions, replacing the term “students” with “candidates” and the term “school-based teacher” with “school-based teacher educator.”

3. COSTS:

The proposed amendment does not imposes additional costs on educator preparation providers, teacher certification candidates, and/or the New York State school districts/BOCES who wish to hire them, including those located in rural areas.

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:

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

The purpose of the proposed amendments to Sections 52.21 and 80-3.7 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education relating to student teaching requirements for teacher certification and the registration of teacher preparation programs is to extend, by one year, the new student teaching requirements and to amend such requirements in response to feedback from the field.

• Length of student teaching. The unit of measurement for length of the student teaching experience would be 70 school days, or its equivalent, instead of a full semester of at least 14 weeks, full-time. By converting the measurement from weeks to days and removing the “full-time” requirement, institutions would have greater flexibility to design placements that fit their academic calendar.

• Multiple certificates. Candidates pursuing more than one certificate title could complete placements of at least 35 school days for each certificate title instead of two placements of at least seven weeks or one placement of at least 14 weeks. The current requirement does not account for more than two placements.

• Full-time status. The requirement that candidates must be credited with at least the number of semester hours required to obtain full-time status at the institution during the student teaching experience or residency would be removed. This requirement would increase the number of semester hours, and thus tuition, for student teaching at some institutions, creating a financial barrier for candidates.

• Library Media Specialist programs. Library media specialist candidates are required to complete two practica in elementary and secondary schools under the current and new student teaching requirements. For the current student teaching requirements, the proposed change would permit one practicum and allow the combined field experiences and practicum to be in both elementary and secondary schools. The requirement of two practica would be removed in the new student teaching requirements, allowing a practicum to be in one type of setting if desired or needed due to the limited availability of placements.

Additionally, the proposal extends the timeline for programs to implement the new student teaching requirements by one year. As such, the program changes would apply to candidates who enroll in a program in the Fall 2024 semester and later, and the corresponding revisions to the teaching experience requirements for the individual evaluation pathway to certification would be effective for candidates who apply for a certificate on or after September 1, 2028.

For the individual evaluation pathway, the proposed amendment would allow candidates who apply for certification prior to September 1, 2028 to satisfy the teaching experience requirement by completing 40 schools days, or its equivalent, in a college-supervised student teaching experience or as an employed teacher. On or after September 1, 2028, candidates may satisfy the new teaching experience requirement by completing 70 school days, or its equivalent, in a college-supervised student teaching experience or as an employed teacher. The addition of the phrase “or its equivalent” provides more flexibility for candidates in calculating the amount of student teaching or teaching experience for certification, permitting a variety of part-time experiences that could be equivalent to 40 or 70 school days. The proposed amendment replaces the employment requirement of 70 full-time school days or 140 half-time school days that must include at least one continuous period of no fewer than 35 school days.

The proposed amendment also includes technical revisions, replacing the term “students” with “candidates” and the term “school-based teacher” with “school-based teacher educator.”

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.