Senate Bill S2849

                                BILL NUMBER:S2849

TITLE OF BILL:
An act
to repeal subdivision 3 of section 3003 of the education law, relating
to qualifications of superintendents

PURPOSE OF BILL:
This bill would eliminate the exception to the qualifications of
superintendents.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 3003 subdivision 3 of the Education Law would be repealed.

JUSTIFICATION:
Under the existing education law, the commissioner of education may
issue a superintendent's certificate to a candidate that meets
certain graduate course or teaching requirements. The current law
also allows the commissioner of education to issue this certificate
to a candidate who does not specifically meet the enumerated
qualifications. While such a waiver may have been good policy when
school districts were less complex, and the schools faced less
intractable pedagogical challenges, waivers are no longer justifiable.

Using the case of the Chancellor of New York City's schools as an
example, it is clear that a candidate for superintendent of that
              

school system should have extensive educational credentials. The NYC
School chancellor plays a vital role in the education of NYC's
children, and is integral to protecting the integrity of NYC's
education system.

The Chancellor of New York City's schools has 51 powers and duties
including promulgating minimum educational standards, curriculum
requirements, and mandatory educational objectives. The Chancellor is
also entrusted with developing a plan to establish comprehensive high
schools for New York City, analyzing the impact of proposed school
closings, and appointing teachers' aides. In sum, the Chancellor of
New York City's schools plays a vital part
in making sure New York City schools adequately prepare their 1.1
million students, to be productive participants in today's global
society.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2009-10: S.8516 - Referred to Rules

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None.

EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.