NY CTE Regents Policy on CTE Program Approval

During the past 18 months, the Regents and the Department have carried out a series of steps to create policies that will encourage and help students complete a quality career and technical education at the same time that they achieve higher academic standards. To do that, we assembled outstanding and diverse groups of experts from throughout the state and nation. Their deliberations, which included statewide focus forums, resulted in a proposal for the Regents in June 2000. At that point, the Regents authorized state wide release for an extensive period of public engagement. Over 40,000 persons received the proposal for comment. Other activities included a public policy conference in September, several regional conferences, and an analysis of comments from numerous education, parent, business, and other groups.

In December, the Regents received a revised proposal which addressed a variety of concerns and incorporated ideas from the New York State United Teachers, the District Superintendents, the community of career and technical education providers, the School Administrators Association, of New York and many other individuals and the groups. This revised proposal seeks to accomplish the following:

• Solve the question of time, allowing students to pursue a career and technical education in courses that also offer academic skills and content;
• Increase flexibility in both coursework and overall program for both students and schools;
• Foster high quality career and technical education programs through the creation of a program approval process;
• Create a work skills employability profile for each student to enhance employability; and
• Encourage students to pursue a technical designation on the Regents diploma and Regents diploma with advanced designation.

This proposal now resolves the needs and concerns voiced by many people. Numerous education and other groups have endorsed it.

VOTED: That the Board of Regents approves the attached proposal on career and technical education which modifies the graduation requirements adopted in December 1997 and directs Department staff to develop proposed amendments to Commissioner’s Regulations in order that the program approval process for career and technical education programs will be in place beginning with the 2001-2002 school year.

Click to download the New York State Approval Process Regents Policy.