THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234

 

TO:

The Honorable the Members of the Board of Regents

FROM:

Johanna Duncan-Poitier

 

 

 

 

SUBJECT:

Proposed Amendment to the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Relating to the Extension in Gifted Education of a Teaching Certificate

 

DATE:

June 27, 2005

STRATEGIC GOAL:

Goals 2 and 3

AUTHORIZATION(S):

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY

 

 

Issue for Decision (Consent Agenda)

 

Should the Regents amend sections 52.21(b)(4)(v), 80-4.1(a)(2) and 80-4.3(d) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, relating to the extension in gifted education of a teaching certificate?

 

Reason(s) for Consideration

 

Review of policy.

 

Proposed Handling

 

The proposed amendment is being submitted for approval at the July 2005 meeting of the Board of Regents.

 

 

 

Procedural History

 

The proposed amendment was discussed at the June 2005 meeting of the Board of Regents.  A Notice of Proposed Rule Making concerning the proposed amendment was published in the State Register on May 25, 2005.

 

Background Information

 

The purpose of the proposed amendment is to clarify and strengthen the education requirements for the extension of a teaching certificate in gifted education to better align with the competencies tested in the teacher certification examination for this extension as articulated in the examination's framework, and defer the implementation of the requirement for the extension.

 

The proposed amendment would defer until September 1, 2006 the implementation of the requirement that a teacher must hold a gifted education extension of a teaching certificate, or have obtained from the Department a statement of continued eligibility based upon employment in this field, in order to provide instruction for gifted pupils in State funded gifted and talented programs.    This is needed to provide colleges with additional time to develop teacher preparation programs in this field.  

 

At the present time to meet the education requirement for the extension in gifted education, a candidate must complete a registered program leading to the extension or six semester hours of equivalent coursework in specified subjects.   The Department surveyed the eight registered programs leading to the gifted education extension and found that all were between nine and 18 semester hours in length.  The amendment would require candidates seeking to meet the education requirement through equivalent coursework to complete 12 semester hours of coursework in specified subjects, rather than six.  This is needed to provide candidates with adequate preparation for the New York State certification examination and for teaching gifted students.  The amendment is also needed to clarify the content of the education requirement for the extension, ensuring that coursework is focused specifically on preparing teachers for providing instruction and support to gifted students.

 

Recommendation

 

I recommend that the Board of Regents take the following action:

 

VOTED: That subparagraph (v) of paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) of section 52.21, paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of section 80-4.1, and subdivision (d) of section 80-4.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education be amended, as submitted, effective August 11, 2005.

 

Timetable for Implementation

 

The effective date of the proposed amendment is August 11, 2005.

 

 

Attachment

 

AMENDMENT TO THE REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION

            Pursuant to sections 207, 210, 305, 3001, 3004, 3006, 3009, and 3010 of the Education Law.

            1.  Subparagraph (v) of paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) of section 52.21 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended, effective August 11, 2005, as follows:

            (v) Programs leading to extensions for gifted education for classroom teaching certificates shall require:

            (a) study that will permit the candidate to obtain the following knowledge, understanding and skills:

            (1) knowledge of the characteristics of gifted students who learn at a pace and level that is significantly different from [that of] their classmates[, including but not limited to gifted students and other high ability learners];

            (2) knowledge of various tools and methods for identifying and assessing gifted students [who learn at a pace and level that is significantly different from that of their classmates], and skill in using [the] such tools and methods;

            (3) knowledge and understanding of appropriate curriculum design for gifted students;

            [(3)] (4) knowledge and skills for planning, providing, coordinating, and evaluating differentiated teaching and learning environments to challenge and assist [all] gifted students in learning to their highest levels of achievement; and

            [(4)] (5) skill in collaborating with other school staff, families and the community to provide appropriate individualized instruction for [all] gifted students; and

            (b) college-supervised field experiences of at least 50 clock hours teaching gifted students [who learn at a pace and level that is significantly different from that of their classmates, including but not limited to gifted students and other high ability learners].

2.  Paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of section 80-4.1 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended, effective August 11, 2005, as follows:

            (2) On or after September 1, [2005] 2006, the extension in gifted education shall be required to authorize a candidate to provide education for gifted pupils, as such term is defined in section 4452 of the Education Law, within a gifted and talented program which is funded pursuant to the Education Law and in accordance with Part 142 of this Title.

            3.  Subdivision (d) of section 80-4.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended, effective August 11, 2005, as follows:

            (d) Requirements for the extension for gifted education. 

            (1) Effective September 1, [2005] 2006, this extension shall authorize the candidate to provide education for gifted pupils, as such term is defined in section 4452 of the Education Law, within a gifted and talented program which is funded pursuant to the Education Law and in accordance with Part 142 of this Title. 

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

            (i) . . .

            (ii) The candidate shall complete a program registered pursuant to section 52.21(b)(4)(v) of this Title, or its equivalent consisting of a total of [six] 12 semester hours of coursework that includes study in each of the following subjects: knowledge of the characteristics of gifted students who learn at a pace and level that is significantly different from their classmates; knowledge of various tools and methods for identifying and assessing gifted students [who learn at a pace and level that is significantly different from that of their classmates, including but not limited to gifted students; methods for providing differentiated teaching and learning environments for such students] ,and skill in using such tools and methods; knowledge and understanding of appropriate curriculum design for gifted students; knowledge and skills for planning, providing, coordinating, and evaluating differentiated teaching and learning environments to challenge and assist gifted students in learning to their highest level; and skills for collaborating with other school staff, families, and the community to provide appropriate individualized instruction for gifted students.  For such equivalent coursework, the candidate must have achieved at least a C or its equivalent in any undergraduate level course and at least a B- or its equivalent in any graduate level course in order for the semester hours associated with that course to be credited toward meeting this semester hour requirement.

            (iii) . . .    

            (3) Statement of continued eligibility.

            (i) A person employed in a position in New York State as a teacher within a gifted and talented program which is funded pursuant to the Education Law and in accordance with Part 142 of this Title for three years in the period between September 1, 1998 and August 31, [2005] 2006, may be issued a statement of continued eligibility pursuant to which such person may continue to teach in such a program without the extension prescribed in this subdivision, provided such person holds a permanent or professional certificate in the classroom teaching service.

            (ii) .  .  .

            (iii) . . .