To:          Presidents of Boards of Education
               District Superintendents of Schools
               Superintendents of Public and Nonpublic Schools
               Principals of Public and Nonpublic Schools
               Directors of Career and Technical Education
               Teachers of Career and Technical Education Programs
               Guidance Counselors
               Statewide Educational Organizations
               Other Interested Parties

From:     James A. Kadamus 

Subject:  Regents Policy on Career and Technical Education

On February 6, 2001, the New York State Board of Regents approved the enclosed proposal for career and technical education that will provide greater flexibility in curriculum and courses for high school students who want to pursue career and technical education programs to meet graduation requirements. The proposal addresses the question of time¾ allowing students to take integrated or specialized courses that combine academic and career/technical skills and content¾ and will promote and upgrade career and technical education programs in the State.

This new policy will go into effect September 1, 2001. It is not a mandate, but an option for school districts and BOCES to provide quality career and technical education programs with flexibility in their delivery. In order to make students eligible for this option, school districts and BOCES must engage in a program approval process following Department criteria. The career and technical education program approval application would be approved by school district/BOCES boards of education and then be eligible for final approval by the State Education Department in order to provide program flexibility and to permit Regents diploma endorsement. School districts and BOCES must require students who pursue a career and technical education program to:

• Pass five required Regents examinations or alternatives approved by the State Assessment Panel;
• Complete a minimum of 22 units credit;
• Complete a minimum of 14.5 units of credit in academic core requirements; and
• Complete a maximum of one unit of credit in English, mathematics, science and economics and government through either a full integrated program with documentation of academic core requirements, specialized career and technical education courses, or a combination of the two approaches.

The career and technical education proposal will be implemented in two phases. Enclosed is an outline of State and local responsibilities for implementing these phases. The State Education Department will submit to the Board of Regents this spring regulatory language to amend the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education to codify implementation of this policy.

The Board of Regents will also entertain any other options submitted by educational leaders to provide high quality career and technical education programs in which students can achieve the learning standards and meet graduation requirements.

If you have any questions about the career and technical education proposal, please contact the Department’s Office of Workforce Preparation and Continuing Education at (518) 474-8892.