BILL NUMBER:  S3423

 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Section 3003 subdivision 3 of the Education Law would be repealed.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 :

2015-16: S.1722 - Referred to Education
2013-14: S.2781/A.4277 - Referred to Education
2011-12: S.2849/A.9710 - Referred to Education
2009-10: 5.8516 - Referred to Rules

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS :

None.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
Immediately.