Report of Regents P-12 Education Committee to The Board of Regents
The P-12 Education Committee held its scheduled meeting on May 16, 2022. All members were present. Regents Catherine Collins, Elizabeth Hakanson, Susan Mittler, Luis Reyes, Shino Tanikawa and Ruth Turner also attended the meeting but did not vote on any action.
ACTION ITEMS
Renewal Recommendations for Charter Schools Authorized by the New York City Department of Education Chancellor [P-12 (A) 1] - Department staff presented recommendations for charter renewals on behalf of the NYC DOE Chancellor.
The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that Brooklyn Charter School: (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules, and regulations; (2) the applicant can demonstrate the ability to operate the school in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) granting the application is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of Section twenty-eight hundred fifty of this article; and (4) granting the application would have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents, therefore, approves the renewal application of Brooklyn Charter School and that a renewal charter be issued, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term up through and including June 30, 2025.
The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that Future Leaders Institute Charter School: (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules, and regulations; (2) the applicant can demonstrate the ability to operate the school in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) granting the application is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of Section twenty-eight hundred fifty of this article; and (4) granting the application would have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents therefore approves the renewal application of Future Leaders Institute Charter School and that a renewal charter be issued, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term up through and including June 30, 2026.
The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that Nuasin Next Generation Charter School: (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules, and regulations; (2) the applicant can demonstrate the ability to operate the school in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) granting the application is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of Section twenty-eight hundred fifty of this article; and (4) granting the application would have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents therefore approves the renewal application of Nuasin Next Generation Charter School and that a renewal charter be issued, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term up through and including June 30, 2027.
The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that Pharos Academy Charter School: (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules, and regulations; (2) the applicant can demonstrate the ability to operate the school in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) granting the application is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of Section twenty-eight hundred fifty of this article; and (4) granting the application would have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents therefore approves the renewal application of Pharos Academy Charter School and that a renewal charter be issued, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term up through and including June 30, 2026.
The motion passed unanimously.
Revision Recommendations for a Charter School Authorized by the New York City Department of Education Chancellor [P-12 (A) 2] - Department staff presented recommendations for charter revisions on behalf of the NYC DOE Chancellor.
The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that Inwood Academy for Leadership Charter School: (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules, and regulations; (2) the applicant can demonstrate the ability to operate the school in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) granting the application is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of Section twenty-eight hundred fifty of this article; and (4) granting the application would have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents, therefore, approves the charter revision of Inwood Academy for Leadership Charter School and amends the provisional charter accordingly.
The motion passed unanimously.
Proposed Amendment of Section 135.5 and Addition of Section 136.9 to the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Relating to Implementing the Dominic Murray Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act [P-12 (A) 3] - Department staff presented proposed amendments to the Commissioner’s regulations to implement the Dominic Murray Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act
The Committee recommends that section 135.5 of the Commissioner’s regulations be amended, and section 136.9 of the Commissioner’s regulations be added, as submitted, effective July 1, 2022, as an emergency action upon a finding by the Board of Regents that such action is necessary for the preservation of the general welfare and public health to timely implement the provisions of the Dominic Murray Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act (Chapter 500 of the Laws of 2021) on its effective date.
The motion passed unanimously.
Proposed Addition of Section 100.22 and Amendment of Section 200.6 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Relating to Instruction Provided to Students in a Home, Hospital, or Institutional Setting Other Than a School (Homebound Instruction) [P-12 (A) 4] - Department staff presented proposed amendments to the Commissioner’s regulations to update the minimum requirements for instruction provided when students are unable to attend in-person instruction due to medical concerns.
The Committee recommends that section 200.6 of the Commissioner’s regulations be amended and section 100.22 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education be added, as submitted, effective July 1, 2022, as an emergency action upon a finding by the Board of Regents that such action is necessary for the preservation of the general welfare to ensure that districts and parents or guardians receive clarity as to the circumstances under which “homebound” instruction may be requested and delivered for the upcoming school year.
The motion passed unanimously.
Renewal Recommendations for Charter Schools Authorized by the Board of Regents [P-12 (A) 5] - Department staff presented recommendations for Board of Regents authorized charter renewals.
The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that Brooklyn Urban Garden Charter School: (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules, and regulations; (2) the applicant can demonstrate the ability to operate the school in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) granting 6 the application is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of Section twenty-eight hundred fifty of this article; and (4) granting the application would have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents, therefore, approves the renewal application of Brooklyn Urban Garden Charter School and that a renewal charter be issued, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term up through and including June 30, 2026.
The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that Hebrew Language Academy Charter School 2: (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules, and regulations; (2) the applicant can demonstrate the ability to operate the school in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) granting the application is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of Section twenty-eight hundred fifty of this article; and (4) granting the application would have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents, therefore, approves the renewal application of Hebrew Language Academy Charter School 2 and that a renewal charter be issued, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term up through and including June 30, 2025.
The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that New York City Montessori Charter School: (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules and regulations; (2) the applicant can demonstrate the ability to operate the school in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) granting the application is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of Section twenty-eight hundred fifty of this article; and (4) granting the application would have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents, therefore, approves the renewal application of New York City Montessori Charter School, and approves the revision to amend the name of the education corporation to Choice Charter School, and that a renewal charter be issued, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term up through and including June 30, 2026.
The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that Riverhead Charter School: (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules, and regulations; (2) the applicant can demonstrate the ability to operate the school in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) granting the application is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of Section twenty-eight hundred fifty of this article; and (4) granting the application would have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents, therefore, approves the renewal application of Riverhead Charter School and that a renewal charter be issued, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term up through and including June 30, 2027.
The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that Rochester Academy Charter School (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules, and regulations; (2) the applicant can demonstrate the ability to operate the school in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) granting the application is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of Section twenty-eight hundred fifty of this article; and (4) granting the application would have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents, therefore, approves the renewal application of Rochester Academy Charter School and that a renewal charter be issued, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term up through and including June 30, 2026.
The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that Syracuse Academy of Science Charter School: (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules, and regulations; (2) the applicant can demonstrate the ability to operate the school in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) granting the application is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of Section twenty-eight hundred fifty of this article; and (4) granting the application would have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents, therefore, approves the renewal application of Syracuse Academy of Science Charter School and that a renewal charter be issued, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term up through and including June 30, 2027.
The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship Charter School: (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules and regulations; (2) the applicant can demonstrate the ability to operate the school in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) granting the application is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of Section twenty-eight hundred fifty of this article; and (4) granting the application would have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents, therefore, approves the renewal application of Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship Charter School, and approves the revision to amend the name of the charter school to Citizenship and Science Academy of Syracuse Charter School, and that a renewal charter be issued, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term up through and including June 30, 2027.
The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that Young Women's College Preparatory Charter School of Rochester: (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules, and regulations; (2) the applicant can demonstrate the ability to operate the school in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) granting the application is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of Section twenty-eight hundred fifty of this article; and (4) granting the application would have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents, therefore, approves the renewal application of Young Women's College Preparatory Charter School of Rochester and that a renewal charter be issued, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term up through and including June 30, 2027.
The motion passed with 10 “Yeas” and one abstention by Regent Cashin.
Proposed Amendment of Section 100.5(d)(7) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Relating to the Special Appeal to Earn Diplomas with a Lower Score on a Regents Examination Taken in the 2021-2022 or 2022-2023 School Year [P-12 (A) 6] - Department staff presented for emergency adoption proposed amendments to the Commissioner’s regulations providing for a special appeal to earn diplomas with a lower score on a Regents Examination taken in the 2021-2022 or 2022-2023 school year.
The Committee recommends that section 100.5(d)(7) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education be amended, as submitted, effective May 17, 2022, as an emergency action upon a finding of the Board of Regents that such action is necessary for the preservation of the general welfare to immediately provide regulatory flexibility so that students can meet the diploma requirements related to the passing of Regents Examinations administered during the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school years.
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 written report of the Committee's deliberations at its meeting on May 17, 2022, copies of which have been distributed to each Regent.
MATTERS NOT REQUIRING BOARD ACTION
Proposed Amendment of Section 175.5 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Relating to Defining Session Days and Counting Time Spent in Assessments Toward the Minimum Instructional Hour Requirement [P-12 (D) 1] - Department staff presented proposed amendments to the Commissioner’s regulations to define a session day as any day on which instruction is provided, to allow districts to schedule session days beginning when attendance is mandatory through the end of the school year, and to clarify that time spent in assessments counts towards the minimum instructional requirements provided assessments are administered by a certified teacher, schools take attendance, and students not sitting for assessments are provided other instruction.
Update on the Seal of Civic Readiness - Department staff and representatives from the field presented on the outcomes of the Seal of Civic Readiness Pilot and plans moving forward to make the Seal available statewide beginning in the 2022-2023 school year.
The New York State Seal of Biliteracy – 2020-2021 Annual Report and Our Path Forward - Department staff presented the major findings of the 2020-2021 NYSSB Annual Report and elaborated on the vision for the future of the Seal of Biliteracy in our state.
Deputy Commissioner Angelique Johnson-Dingle reviewed the items on the Consent Agenda.