1. 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

2. 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?

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

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

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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)

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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

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

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

17. How Can Students Get Involved?

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