ADVOCACY IN ACTION Workshop Advocating for Teacher Candidates Teacher Education Programs Teachers & the Teaching Profession Jamie Dangler: UUP Vice-President for Academics Leah Lembo: NYSUT Research and Ed Services

Information-Gathering and Action Plans How are changes impacting our programs, work life, and students? How can we work together to address campus issues? How can we work together to impact state-level deliberations and decision-making? What avenues do we have for involvement in national policy-making?

Who are the key decision-makers and policy makers? New York State Who are the key decision-makers and policy makers?

Decision-makers and Policy makers New York State Education Department NYS Board of Regents Governor and Legislators SUNY

NY State Education Department Commissioner of Education: MaryEllen Elia Senior Deputy Commissioner: Jhone Ebert Deputy Commissioner Higher Ed: John D’Agati Coordinator: OTI Laura Glass NYSED Oversees the state’s system of education Develops proposals and guidance for the Commissioner and Board of Regents Solicits input from the field Implements education policies and procedures NYSED Offices P-12, Higher Education, Cultural Education, Performance Improvement and Management Services, Chief Financial Office, Office of Counsel, Office of the Professions, Office of Adult Career and Continuing Education Services

NYS Board of Regents Appointed by the NYS Legislature Board of Regents Chancellor: Betty A. Rosa Higher Education Committee co-chairs: Kathleen Cashin and Catherine Collins The Regents are the policy-makers Responsible for the general supervision of all educational activities within the State Preside over the NYS Education Department Develop education funding proposals Appointed by the NYS Legislature Regents select the Commissioner of Education

Examples of decisions made by the Regents that have impacted your programs and students?

Governor and Legislature Approve funding for P-12 schools, higher education, education programs, SUNY & CUNY Legislature appoints members to the Board of Regents Governor and legislature propose and approve legislation that impacts education Note: May change after 2018 elections Assembly Higher Education Committee chair: Deborah Glick (D – Manhattan) Senate Higher Education Committee chair: Ken Lavalle (R – Long Island) Assembly Education Committee chair: Cathy Nolan (D- Long Island) Senate Education Committee chair: Carl Marcelino (R – Long Island)

Examples of decisions made by the Governor and Legislature that have impacted your programs and students?

David Cantaffa, Assistant Provost for Teacher Preparation SUNY David Cantaffa, Assistant Provost for Teacher Preparation SUNY TeachNY Policy on Educator Preparation Adopted by SUNY Board of Trustees, June 2017 Updates and replaces SUNY’s 2001 policy on educator preparation SUNY statewide positions on Regents policy proposals and state legislation SUNY positions on UUP teacher education proposals SUNY Charter School Decision

WorkingPartners New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) K-12 Locals affiliated with NYSUT United University Professions (UUP-SUNY) Professional Staff Congress (PSC-CUNY) Commission on Independent Colleges (CiCU) Coalition of faculty and professional staff from private colleges

National Level Advocacy Partners/Affiliates American Federation of Teachers (AFT) National Education Association (NEA) Examples ESSA – Regs for teacher preparation programs and P-12 schools Higher Education Act Best practices re: Teacher Performance Assessments Charter School issues National Accreditation: CAEP & AAQEP

Examples of Advocacy Issues Testing: K-12 and teacher certification exams Governor/Legislative Actions Funding for P-12 Schools and Higher Ed APPR 3.0 GPA / GRE requirement Declining teacher education program enrollments & Teacher Shortage Campaign ESSA and other federal policies: impact on teacher education Opposition to SUNY Charter School Proposal Options for Accreditation: CAEP, AAQEP

Advocacy Activities Meetings with SED and Pearson to discuss problems with certification exams and suggest changes Inviting Regents and SED officials to our campuses Individual Meetings & Letter Writing: Regents & Legislators Press Conferences (March 2015 – Pearson & certification exams) Rallies Aug 2014, Albany: Public Ed, Not Profits; 2017 SUNY BOT on charter schools FOIL – Pearson contract with NYS for teacher certification exams Legal Actions (e.g., SUNY charter school decision) Organization/Institution Letters to Commissioner, Regents, Legislators, and for formal public comment periods

Mobilizing colleagues, students, parents, and K-12 teachers get involved

Opportunities for Input Exam Redevelopment / Standards Setting Committees State Task Forces and Work Groups edTPA Task Force Clinical Practice Work Group DASA

How Can Students Get Involved?

What are your pressing issues? What options are there for advocacy?