Report of Regents P-12 Education Committee to The Board of Regents

Regents Committee on P-12 Education Members
Vice Chancellor Chin, Co-Chair, Regent Catania, Co-Chair, Regent Tilles, Regent Cea, Regent Norwood, Regent Wills, Regent Ferrer, Regent Tanikawa, Regent Rivera, Regent Thomas-Williams

The P-12 Education Committee held its scheduled meeting on January 12, 2026. All members were present except Regent Wade S. Norwood and Regent Aramina V. Ferrer, who were excused. Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr., Regent Susan W. Mittler, Regent Adrian I. Hale, Regent Hasoni L. Pratts, Regent Patrick A. Mannion, Regent Brian Krist, and Regent Keith B. Wiley also attended the meeting but did not vote on any action.

MATTERS REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

Proposed Addition of Section 136.10 to the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Relating to Statewide Protocols for Diapering and Toileting [P-12 (A) 1] Department staff presented revisions to the proposed amendment to align with the Education Law, removing the applicability of the proposed rule to programs licensed by other state agencies. 

The committee recommends that section 136.10 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, as amended herein, is effective March 27, 2026, as an emergency rule to conform the Commissioner’s regulations to Chapter 361 of the Laws of 2024.

The motion passed unanimously.

SUNY-authorized Charter School Revision [P-12 (A) 2] – Department staff presented a recommendation regarding a SUNY-authorized charter school. NYSED recommended that the Board of Regents return the application for the following charter school due to:

• Success Academy Charter School – Bronx 5 Lower (NYC CSD 7 - Revision to allow Success Academy Charter Schools – NYC, an education corporation, to establish a new education corporation to operate the charter for Success Academy Charter School – Bronx 5 Lower under the education corporation and charter name “Strive Charter School”).

The committee recommends that the Board of Regents return the proposed charter for Success Academy Charter School – Bronx 5 Lower to the Trustees of the State University of New York for reconsideration, with the following comment and recommendation, “The Regents are unable to make the required findings in accordance with Education Law §2852(2)(a) that the charter school described in the application meets the requirements set out in this article, and all other applicable laws, rules and regulations. Specifically, the proposed action may be a violation of Education Law §2852(9) because there are no charters available for issuance in New York City. Although the proposed charter action is identified as a revision, the nature of the proposed charter action evidences the creation of a new charter school, in potential violation of the law. This proposed charter action should be abandoned.”

The motion passed unanimously.

MOTION FOR ACTION BY FULL BOARD

The P-12 Education Committee recommends, and we move, that the Board of Regents act affirmatively upon each recommendation in the report of the Committee’s deliberations at its meeting on January 13, 2026.

MATTERS NOT REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

Proposed Amendments to Sections 155.17 and 136.4 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Relating to the Implementation of Desha’s Law Pertaining to AED Devices [P-12 (D) 1] - Department staff presented amendments to these regulations pertaining to statutory changes to Desha’s Law which require the labeling of AED devices, changes to the maintenance requirements for the AED devices, and the inclusion of non-public schools in these requirements.

Building Arts-Focused School Communities Presentation - Department staff and invited guests shared perspectives on the role of arts education in strengthening student engagement, community connection, and cultural vitality across New York State. The presentation highlighted statewide data, community partnerships, and strategies that support high-quality arts programs, and included a short video showcasing arts education at a BOCES.

Deputy Commissioner Jason Harmon reviewed the items on the Consent Agenda.