News from the East Region:
Professional Development Standards Approved in New York State
The New York State Board of Regents endorsed a set of Statewide professional development standards and released them in a memorandum to the field in June. The standards can be accessed at http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/resteachers/pd.htm. The State standards, developed by the State Professional Standards and Practices Board for Teaching (PSPB), are research-based and seek to promote sustained professional growth and examination of practice.
The ten standards were developed after months of consideration, which included discussion with the Board of Regents Committee on Higher and Professional Education and a public comment process. The standards are aligned with the New York State Student Learning Standards and are based on an analysis and adaptation of the National Staff Development Council’s Standards for Staff Development as well as other national, state, and professional standards.
AILACTE-type institutions were involved in the drafting and revising of the standards and in the comment process. Several independent institutions are represented on the PSPB and serve in leadership positions (i.e. the co-chair is from an AILACTE member institution). The PSPB views professional development as a continuum from preservice education through continuous professional learning. There is an important role for higher education in planning and implementing research-based, sustainable professional development – independent colleges and universities are positioned to contribute to the implementation of these standards and to promote research-based practice in the professional development of teachers.
AILACTE in New York Hosts Conference Call
Ten independent colleges and universities in New York State had the opportunity to discuss mutual areas of interest during an inaugural phone conference in June. Dr. Peggy Burke, New York’s state representative, and Dr. Debra Colley, Eastern Regional Representative, organized this conversation to explore an expanded communication networking among AILACTE institutions. As noted by Dr. Peggy Burke, state representative, “we share a lot of issues as private institutions and can only benefit from our efforts to speak with a group voice. “ Areas of interest and follow up included partnerships for funding, alternative certification, clinical practice and placement opportunities (or challenges), P-16 initiatives, among others. The group is interested in continuing the dialogue and meeting together in the fall. All interested institutions should feel free to contact Debra Colley (dcolley@niagara.edu).
Independent Colleges in New York participate in AACTE’s Day on the Hill
AACTE’s Day on the Hill was well represented by AILACTE-type institutions in New York. Niagara University, Bank Street College, Mercy College, and Utica College participated in this event and met with a number of representatives from the State.
Word from Maryland …. Dr. L. Mickey Fenzel, Professor and Chair, Teacher Education Department at Loyola College in Maryland, is our new State Representative from Maryland, shares his thoughts, “I am excited about the opportunity to work with other independent institutions of higher education that educate high quality teacher candidates who enrich our schools and communities. There is much to be gained from this association with respect to the continued improvement of all of our programs that educate tomorrow's teachers and school leaders.”
From Pennsylvania … Dr. Carol Pate has agreed to serve as the State representative. Dr. Pate is Associate Professor, Chair of the Education Department and Chair of the Graduate Education Department at Chestnut Hill College in Pennsylvania.
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