THE TEACHER'S LAWYER

ABOUT THE TEACHER'S LAWYER...

See linkedin profile of Bryan Glass, Esq.

"A Lawyer's Guide To Teacher Rights and Responsibilities in New York State"
Link to Video Presentation

Visit us at www.glasskrakower.com

11 Penn Plaza, 5th Floor

New York, NY 10001

(212) 537-6859

(914) 202-0300

bg@teacherslawyer.com

bg@glasskrakower.com

See The School and Education Law blog and this blog below for latest news articles about education in NYC and beyond.

Specialties include:

-Section 3020-a defense of tenure rights (incompetency, corporal punishment, verbal abuse, etc.)

-Article 75 proceedings
-Article 78 proceedings
-Commissioner of Education appeals
-Discrimination/retaliation/Title VII/ADEA/ADA cases before CCHR/SDHR/EEOC administrative agencies and federal and state courts
-Grievance advice
-Ineligible inquiry list inquiries

-Medical Bureau inquiries
-Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) defense

-Office of Special Investigation (OSI) defense

-Special Commissioner of Investigation (SCI) defense

-Part 83 state certification proceedings

-PERB proceedings
-Probationary terminations and discontinuances

-Tenure by estoppel issues
-Time and attendance proceedings/FMLA defense

-Unemployment hearing defense
-U rating appeals advice

BLOG ENTRIES ABOUT THE NYCDOE...

Friday, January 20, 2012

SchoolBook: Inching Closer to Agreement on Evaluations for Teachers

SchoolBook: Inching Closer to Agreement on Evaluations for Teachers
NYT > EDUCATION | JANUARY 18, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/58w6N

In the long-simmering debate over how to judge the quality of New York State school employees, there is one thing all sides ... Read more

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New York City Plans to Close a Charter School for Mediocrity

New York City Plans to Close a Charter School for Mediocrity
NYT > EDUCATION | JANUARY 12, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/4UPMr

For the first time, New York City is closing a charter school for the offense of simply being mediocre, and the action could ... Read more

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Monday, January 16, 2012

Cuomo and Bloomberg on Attack on Teacher Evaluations

Cuomo and Bloomberg on Attack on Teacher Evaluations
NYT > EDUCATION AND SCHOOLS | JANUARY 16, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/53NaQ

The governor and the mayor invoked the ideals of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in criticizing the lack of an agreement on ... Read more

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Study on Teacher Value Uses Data From Before Teach-to-Test Era

Study on Teacher Value Uses Data From Before Teach-to-Test Era
NYT > EDUCATION AND SCHOOLS | JANUARY 15, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/52IXs
Results that come from a time prior to No Child Left Behind should be kept in mind when analyzing a new study that tries to ... Read more

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Friday, January 13, 2012

Bloomberg, in State of the City Address, Focuses on Education

Bloomberg, in State of the City Address, Focuses on Education
NYT > HOME PAGE | JANUARY 13, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/4W4eO
In his State of the City address, the mayor hit a nerve by proposing a merit- pay system for teachers and not shying away from other controversial edu... Read more

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Wednesday, December 28, 2011

On Education: New York City Student Testing Over the Past Decade

On Education: New York City Student Testing Over the Past Decade
NYT > EDUCATION | DECEMBER 19, 2011
http://pulse.me/s/4hp1Q

Thanks to the best education minds in Washington, Albany and Lower Manhattan, we now have finely calibrated state tests aligned ... Read more

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New York State Schools May Lose Aid Over Teacher Evaluations

New York State Schools May Lose Aid Over Teacher Evaluations
NYT > HOME PAGE | DECEMBER 28, 2011
http://pulse.me/s/4pLwO
The state education commissioner put pressure on New York City and nine other districts to prove they will carry out new evaluation systems for teache... Read more

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) ABOUT SECTION 3020-A

Are hearings held before a hearing officer or a panel?

Disciplinary charges brought by an employing board against a tenured employee are heard by a single hearing officer except when the charges concern pedagogical incompetence or issues involving pedagogical judgement. In these cases only, the employee may choose to have the charges heard by either a single hearing officer or a three-member panel.

What types of changes are considered pedagogical?

While the term "pedagogical" is not defined in either the statute or the Commissioner's Regulations, charges that fall into that category include inability to control a class, failure to prepare required lesson plans, failure to maintain certification, and other matters that directly pertain to teaching techniques and issues of this nature.

Who provides the list of Hearing Officers?

The American Arbitration Association (AAA) maintains the panel of potential hearing officers for Section 3020-a proceedings. This association also provides a list for each individual proceeding.

Is there a fee associated with requesting a hearing?

The AAA is a non profit organization which relies on administrative fees to continue providing services. Commissioner's Regulations as amended by the Board of Regents in September 1994 stipulate that the fee for providing the list of potential hearing officers for Section 3020-a proceedings is to be paid by the School District preferring the charges. This fee is $150.00. If the parties are unable to mutually select a hearing officer and request that the AAA make the selection, an additional fee of $50.00 will be required.

When is a hearing commenced?

Under the law, a hearing is commenced when the State Education Department submits a request to AAA for a list of potential hearing officers.

As a taxpayer, don't I have the right to know if a teacher in our school has been brought up on charges?

Section 3020-a provides an avenue for resolving disciplinary issues between an employer and an employing board. Until an individual has been found guilty by a hearing officer or hearing panel, all aspects of the disciplinary proceeding are strictly confidential. If the employee is found to be guilty of one or more of the charges, the record is then available pursuant to the Freedom of Information Law.

SECTION 3020-A OF THE NEW YORK STATE EDUCATION LAW

Section 3020-a of the New York State Education Law
Education Law Section 3020-a. Disciplinary procedures and penalties.
1. Filing of charges. All charges against a person enjoying the benefits of tenure as provided in subdivision three of section one thousand one hundred two, and sections two thousand five hundred nine, two thousand five hundred seventy-three, twenty-five hundred ninety-j, three thousand twelve and three thousand fourteen of this chapter shall be in writing and filed with the clerk or secretary of the school district or employing board during the period between the actual opening and closing of the school year for which the employed is normally required to serve. Except as provided in subdivision eight of section two thousand five hundred seventy-three and subdivision seven of section twenty-five hundred ninety-j of this chapter, no charges under this section shall be brought more than three years after the occurrence of the alleged incompetency or misconduct, except when the charge is of misconduct constituting a crime when committed. 2. (a) Disposition of charges. Upon receipt of the charges, the clerk or secretary of the school district or employing board shall immediately notify said board thereof. Within five days after receipt of charges, the employing board, in executive session, shall determine, by a vote of a majority of all the members of such board, whether probable cause exists to bring a disciplinary proceeding against an employee pursuant to this section. If such determination is affirmative, a written statement specifying the charges in detail, the maximum penalty which will be imposed by the board if the employee does not request a hearing or that will be sought by the board if the employee is found guilty of the charges after a hearing and outlining the employee`s rights under this section, shall be immediately forwarded to the accused employee by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested or by personal delivery to the employee.(b) The employee may be suspended pending a hearing on the charges and the final determination thereof. The suspension shall be with pay, except the employee may be suspended without pay if the employee has entered a guilty plea to or has been convicted of a felony crime concerning the criminal sale or possession of a controlled substance, a precursor of a controlled substance, or drug paraphernalia as defined in article two hundred twenty or two hundred twenty-one of the penal law; or a felony crime involving the physical or sexual abuse of a minor or student.(c) Within ten days of receipt of the statement of charges, the employee shall notify the clerk or secretary of the employing board in writing whether he or she desires a hearing on the charges and when the charges concern pedagogical incompetence or issues involving pedagogical judgment, his or her choice of either a single hearing officer or a three member panel. All other charges shall be heard by a single hearing officer. (d) The unexcused failure of the employee to notify the clerk or secretary of his or her desire for a hearing within ten days of the receipt of charges shall be deemed a waiver of the right to a hearing. Where an employee requests a hearing in the manner provided for by this section, the clerk or secretary of the board shall, within three working days of receipt of the employee`s notice or request for a hearing, notify the commissioner of education of the need for a hearing. If the employee waives his or her right to a hearing the employing board shall proceed, within fifteen days, by a vote of a majority of all members of such board, to determine the case and fix the penalty, if any, to be imposed in accordance with subdivision four of this section. Education Law �3020-a. Disciplinary procedures and penalties.3. Hearings. a. Notice of hearing. Upon receipt of a request for a hearing in accordance with subdivision two of this section, the commissioner of education shall forthwith notify the American Arbitration Association (hereinafter "association") of the need for a hearing and shall request the association to provide to the commissioner forthwith a list of names of persons chosen by the association from the association`s panel of labor arbitrators to potentially serve as hearing officers together with relevant biographical information on each arbitrator. Upon receipt of said list and biographical information, the commissioner of education shall forthwith send a copy of both simultaneously to the employing board and the employee.b. (i) Hearing officers. All hearings pursuant to this section shall be conducted before and by a single hearing officer selected as provided for in this section. A hearing officer shall not be eligible to serve as such if he or she is a resident of the school district, other than the city of New York, under the jurisdiction of the employing board, an employee, agent or representative of the employing board or of any labor organization representing employees of such employing board, has served as such agent or representative within two years of the date of the scheduled hearing, or if he or she is then serving as a mediator or fact finder in the same school district. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the hearing officer shall be compensated by the department with the customary fee paid for service as an arbitrator under the auspices of the association for each day of actual service plus necessary travel and other reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of his or her duties. All other expenses of the disciplinary proceedings shall be paid in accordance with rules promulgated by the commissioner of education.(ii) Not later than ten days after the date the commissioner mails to the employing board and the employee the list of potential hearing officers and biographies provided to the commissioner by the association, the employing board and the employee, individually or through their agents or representatives, shall by mutual agreement select a hearing officer from said list to conduct the hearing and shall notify the commissioner of their selection.(iii) If the employing board and the employee fail to agree on an arbitrator to serve as a hearing officer from said list and so notify the commissioner within ten days after receiving the list from the commissioner, the commissioner shall request the association to appoint a hearing officer from said list. (iv) In those cases in which the employee elects to have the charges heard by a hearing panel, the hearing panel shall consist of the hearing officer, selected in accordance with this subdivision, and two additional persons, one selected by the employee and one selected by the employing board, from a list maintained for such purpose by the commissioner of education. The list shall be composed of professional personnel with administrative or supervisory responsibility, professional personnel without administrative or supervisory responsibility, chief school administrators, members of employing boards and others selected from lists of nominees submitted to the commissioner by statewide organizations representing teachers, school administrators and supervisors and the employing boards. Hearing panel members other than the hearing officer shall be compensated by the department of education at the rate of one hundred dollars for each day of actual service plus necessary travel and subsistence expenses.Education Law �3020-a. Disciplinary procedures and penalties.The hearing officer shall be compensated as set forth in this subdivision. The hearing officer shall be the chairman of the hearing panel.c. Hearing procedures. (i) The commissioner of education shall have the power to establish necessary rules and procedures for the conduct of hearings under this section. Such rules shall not require compliance with technical rules of evidence. Hearings shall be conducted by the hearing officer selected pursuant to paragraph b of this subdivision with full and fair disclosure of the nature of the case and evidence against the employee by the employing board and shall be public or private at the discretion of the employee. The employee shall have a reasonable opportunity to defend himself or herself and an opportunity to testify in his or her own behalf. The employee shall not be required to testify. Each party shall have the right to be represented by counsel, to subpoena witnesses, and to cross-examine witnesses. All testimony taken shall be under oath which the hearing officer is hereby authorized to administer. A competent stenographer, designated by the commissioner of education and compensated by the state education department, shall keep and transcribe a record of the proceedings at each such hearing. A copy of the transcript of the hearings shall, upon request, be furnished without charge to the employee and the board of education involved.(ii) The hearing officer selected to conduct a hearing under this section shall, within ten to fifteen days of agreeing to serve as such, hold a pre-hearing conference which shall be held in the school district or county seat of the county, or any county, wherein the employing school board is located. The pre-hearing conference shall be limited in length to one day except that the hearing officer, in his or her discretion, may allow one additional day for good cause shown. (iii) At the pre-hearing conference the hearing officer shall have the power to:(A) issue subpoenas;(B) hear and decide all motions, including but not limited to motions to dismiss the charges;(C) hear and decide all applications for bills of particular or requests for production of materials or information, including, but not limited to, any witness statement (or statements), investigatory statement (or statements) or note (notes), exculpatory evidence or any other evidence, including district or student records, relevant and material to the employee`s defense.(iv) Any pre-hearing motion or application relative to the sufficiency of the charges, application or amendment thereof, or any preliminary matters shall be made upon written notice to the hearing officer and the adverse party no less than five days prior to the date of the pre-hearing conference. Any pre-hearing motions or applications not made as provided for herein shall be deemed waived except for good cause as determined by the hearing officer.(v) In the event that at the pre-hearing conference the employing board presents evidence that the professional license of the employee has been revoked and all judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or foreclosed, the hearing officer shall schedule the date, time and place for an expedited hearing, which hearing shall commence not more than seven days after the pre-hearing conference and which shall be limited to one day. The expedited hearing shall be held in the local school district or county seat of the county or any county, wherein the said employing board is located. The expedited hearing shall not be postponed except upon the request of a party and then only for good cause as determined by the hearing officer. At such hearing, each party shall have equal time in which to present its case.(vi) During the pre-hearing conference, the hearing officer shall determine the reasonable amount of time necessary for a final hearing on the charge or charges and shall schedule the location, time(s) and date(s) for the final hearing. The final hearing shall be held in the local school district or county seat of the county, or any county, wherein the said employing school board is located. In the event that the hearing officer determines that the nature of the case requires the final hearing to last more than one day, the days that are scheduled for the final hearing shall be consecutive. The day or days scheduled for the final hearing shall not be postponed except upon the request of a party and then only for good cause shown as determined by the hearing officer. In all cases, the final hearing shall be completed no later than sixty days after the pre-hearing conference unless the hearing officer determines that extraordinary circumstances warrant a limited extension.4. Post hearing procedures. (a) The hearing officer shall render a written decision within thirty days of the last day of the final hearing, or in the case of an expedited hearing within ten days of such expedited hearing, and shall forthwith forward a copy thereof to the commissioner of education who shall immediately forward copies of the decision to the employee and to the clerk or secretary of the employing board. The written decision shall include the hearing officer`s findings of fact on each charge, his or her conclusions with regard to each charge based on said findings and shall state what penalty or other action, if any, shall be taken by the employing board. At the request of the employee, in determining what, if any, penalty or other action shall be imposed, the hearing officer shall consider the extent to which the employing board made efforts towards correcting the behavior of the employee which resulted in charges being brought under this section through means including but not limited to: remediation, peer intervention or an employee assistance plan. In those cases where a penalty is imposed, such penalty may be a written reprimand, a fine, suspension for a fixed time without pay, or dismissal. In addition to or in lieu of the aforementioned penalties, the hearing officer, where he or she deems appropriate, may impose upon the employee remedial action including but not limited to leaves of absence with or without pay, continuing education and/or study, a requirement that the employee seek counseling or medical treatment or that the employee engage in any other remedial or combination of remedial actions.(b) Within fifteen days of receipt of the hearing officer`s decision the employing board shall implement the decision. If the employee is acquitted he or she shall be restored to his or her position with full pay for any period of suspension without pay and the charges expunged from the employment record. If an employee who was convicted of a felony crime specified in paragraph (b) of subdivision two of this section, has said conviction reversed, the employee, upon application, shall be entitled to have his pay and other emoluments restored, for the period from the date of his suspension to the date of the decision.(c) The hearing officer shall indicate in the decision whether any of the charges brought by the employing board were frivolous as defined in section eight thousand three hundred three-a of the civil practice law and rules. If the hearing officers finds that all of the charges brought against the employee were frivolous, the hearing officer shall order the employing board to reimburse the state education department the reasonable costs said department incurred as a result of the proceeding and to reimburse the employee the reasonable costs, including but not limited to reasonable attorneys` fees, the employee incurred in defending the charges. If the hearing officer finds that some but not all of the charges brought against the employee were frivolous, the hearing officer shall order the employing board to reimburse the state education department a portion, in the discretion of the hearing officer, of the reasonable costs said department incurred as a result of the proceeding and to reimburse the employee a portion, in the discretion of the hearing officer, of the reasonable costs, including but not limited to reasonable attorneys` fees, the employee incurred in defending the charges.Appeal. Not later than ten days after receipt of the hearing officer`s decision, the employee or the employing board may make an application to the New York state supreme court to vacate or modify the decision of the hearing officer pursuant to section seven thousand five hundred eleven of the civil practice law and rules. The court`s review shall be limited to the grounds set forth in such section. The hearing panel`s determination shall be deemed to be final for the purpose of such proceeding. In no case shall the filing or the pendency of an appeal delay the implementation of the decision of the hearing officer.

PART 83 OF THE REGULATIONS OF THE NYS EDUCATION COMMISSIONER

Part 83 Determination of Good Moral Character
Text is current through August 15, 2006.
Section 83.1 Determination of good moral character.
Section 83.2 Investigation.
Section 83.3 Review by board.
Section 83.4 Hearing.
Section 83.5 Appeal.
Section 83.6 Penalties.

Section 83.1 Determination of good moral character.(a) Any information indicating that an individual holding a teaching certificate has been convicted of a crime, or has committed an act which raises a reasonable question as to the individual's moral character, shall be referred by the chief school administrator having knowledge thereof to the professional conduct officer of the department.
(b) The appropriate official in school districts which by statute are empowered to grant teaching licenses shall notify the professional conduct officer of the revocation, annulment or suspension of any license issued under that authority, together with the reasons therefor.
(c) Information in the possession of any person indicating that an applicant for a teaching certificate has been convicted of a crime, or has committed an act which raises a reasonable question as to the individual's moral character, may be referred to the executive director of the Office of Teaching Initiatives of the State Education Department. Information in the possession of any person indicating that an individual holding a teaching certificate has been convicted of a crime, or has committed an act which raises a reasonable question as to the individual's moral character, may be referred to the professional conduct officer of the department.
(d) The department shall review the findings and recommendations of hearing panels in hearings on charges against tenured teachers pursuant to Education Law section 3020-a and all such cases involving criminal convictions shall be referred to the professional conduct officer.
Historical Note Sec. filed Aug. 6, 1974; repealed, new filed June 26, 1978; amds. filed: Jan. 19, 1993; Nov. 9, 2004 eff. Nov. 25, 2004. Amended (c). 8 NYCRR 83.1, 8 NY ADC 83.1 8 NY ADC 83.1
top Section 83.2 Investigation.The professional conduct officer shall direct that an investigation be done of the circumstances surrounding such conviction or act, and shall submit a report of the findings and a recommendation as to whether to proceed to a formal hearing to the State professional standards and practices board for teaching or to a subcommittee of such board, as determined in the bylaws of the board, composed of no fewer than five members approved by majority vote of the board, to consider such reports.
Historical Note Sec. filed Aug. 6, 1974; amds. filed: Jan. 19, 1993; Nov. 10, 1998 eff. Nov. 26, 1998. 8 NYCRR 83.2, 8 NY ADC 83.2 8 NY ADC 83.2
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Section 83.3 Review by board.If upon review of the report of the professional conduct officer, such board or subcommittee concludes that a certified individual's moral character is adequate to permit continued certification as a teacher, or that an applicant's moral character is adequate to permit certification as a teacher, a report to this effect shall be forwarded by the board or subcommittee to the executive director of the Office of Teaching Initiatives. If upon such review, the board or subcommittee concludes that a substantial question exists as to the moral character of a certified individual or an applicant, notice of the basis for this conclusion and a copy of this Part shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the certified individual or applicant.
Historical Note Sec. filed Aug. 6, 1974; amds. filed: Jan. 19, 1993; Nov. 9, 2004 eff. Nov. 25, 2004. 8 NYCRR 83.3, 8 NY ADC 83.3 8 NY ADC 83.3
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Section 83.4 Hearing.(a) If requested by the certified individual or applicant, in writing to the professional conduct officer within 30 days after receipt of said notice that a substantial question exists as to the individual's moral character, a hearing shall be held on the issue of whether the individual's certification should be revoked or suspended or whether another penalty should be imposed upon the certified individual as prescribed in section 83.6 of this Part or whether the application for certification should be denied. In the request for a hearing, the certified individual or applicant may request that the hearing be held solely before a hearing officer or, in the alternative, before a hearing officer and a three-member hearing panel. Upon receipt of a request for a hearing, a hearing officer shall be appointed by the commissioner to hear and recommend, and a hearing scheduled. In the order designating a hearing officer, the commissioner shall also designate the place where said hearing will be held. At least 15 days before the hearing, the hearing officer shall give to the certified individual or applicant written notice by mail of the time and place of said hearing.
(b) If a hearing panel has been requested, the members shall be selected in the following manner from the list maintained by the commissioner pursuant to the provisions of Education Law section 3020-a: one member shall be selected by the certified individual or applicant, one member shall be selected by the State professional standards and practices board for teaching or a subcommittee thereof, as determined in the bylaws of the board, and the third member shall be chosen by mutual agreement of the first two, or, if they fail to agree, by the commissioner. In the event that the certified individual or applicant has requested a hearing panel but fails or refuses to choose a hearing panel member within 30 days from the receipt of the panel list, the certified individual or applicant shall be deemed to have waived a hearing panel and the hearing shall be conducted before the hearing officer.
(c) The certified individual or applicant may be represented at the hearing by counsel and may produce witnesses and affidavits in proof of the individual's good moral character. The department shall have the burden of proof of lack of good moral character. The hearing officer may issue subpoenas on request of a party and shall conduct the hearing. A verbatim record shall be kept of the testimony.
(d) Evidence of conviction of a crime shall be admissible in any proceeding conducted pursuant to this Part, but such conviction shall not in and of itself create a conclusive presumption that the person so convicted lacks good moral character. In the case of a certified individual, proof of conviction for any of the following acts constituting a crime in New York State and committed subsequent to certification shall create a rebuttable presumption that the individual so convicted lacks good moral character:
(1) the criminal sale, possession or use of marijuana, a controlled substance, a precursor of a controlled substance or drug paraphernalia as defined in article 220 or 221 of the Penal Law; or
(2) any crime involving physical or sexual abuse of a minor or student; or
(3) any crime committed either on school property or while in the performance of teaching duties.
(e) In determining whether a certificate should be revoked or suspended or an application for certification should be denied based on a previous criminal conviction, the hearing officer or panel shall apply the standards for denial of a license application set forth in Correction Law, section 752 and shall consider the factors specified in Correction Law, section 753.
(f) Upon the conclusion of the hearing, the hearing officer shall submit to the commissioner and to the certified individual or applicant a report of the findings and recommendations or, if a hearing panel has been utilized, a report of the findings and recommendations of such panel, together with a copy of the transcript. The findings and recommendations of the hearing officer or the hearing panel shall be based solely upon the record and shall set forth the factual basis therefor.
Historical Note Sec. filed Aug. 6, 1974; amds. filed: Feb. 28, 1977; May 3, 1977; June 26, 1978; Jan. 19, 1993; Nov. 10, 1998; Nov. 14, 2000 as emergency measure; Feb. 9, 2001 as emergency measure eff. Feb. 12, 2001; Feb. 9, 2001 eff. March 1, 2001. Amended (a). 8 NYCRR 83.4, 8 NY ADC 83.4 8 NY ADC 83.4
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Section 83.5 Appeal.Within 30 days after receipt of notification of the findings and recommendations of the hearing officer or hearing panel, the certified individual or applicant may commence an appeal to the commissioner pursuant to subdivision (a) of this section or, where applicable, the commissioner may initiate a review proceeding pursuant to subdivision (b) of this section.
(a) Appeal by certified individual or applicant. The certified individual or applicant may commence an appeal of the findings and recommendations of the hearing officer by filing the original appeal papers with the commissioner, with proof of service by regular mail upon the executive director of the Office of Teaching Initiatives. The executive director of the Office of Teaching Initiatives may file a written response with the commissioner within 30 days of being served with such appeal papers, with proof of service by regular mail on the certified individual or applicant or the attorney of record of such certified individual or applicant.
(b) Review proceeding by commissioner.
(1) In cases involving convictions for any of the following acts constituting a crime in New York State, the commissioner may initiate review of the findings and recommendations of the hearing officer or hearing panel to determine whether such findings and recommendations should be adopted as the final determination of the commissioner:
(i) the criminal sale, possession or use of marijuana, a controlled substance, a precursor of a controlled substance or drug paraphernalia as defined in article 220 or 221 of the Penal Law; or
(ii) any crime involving physical or sexual abuse of a minor or student; or
(iii) any crime committed either on school property or while in the performance of teaching duties.
(2) Such review shall be commenced by service of a notice of intent to review on the certified individual or applicant or the attorney of record of the certified individual or applicant, by certified mail, return receipt requested. The certified individual or applicant may file a written response with the commissioner within 30 days of being served with such notice, with proof of service by regular mail on the executive director of the Office of Teaching Initiatives. The executive director of the Office of Teaching Initiatives may file a written response with the commissioner within 30 days of service of such notice, with proof of service by regular mail on the certified individual or applicant. In the event the certified individual or applicant files an appeal on or after the date the commissioner initiates review under this subdivision, the appeal shall be automatically consolidated with the review proceeding and the appeal papers shall constitute the written response of the certified individual or applicant under this subdivision.
(c) The commissioner shall review any appeal papers, or written responses filed, and the transcript and all evidence presented in the proceeding before the hearing officer or hearing panel. Based upon the record, the commissioner may affirm, adopt, reverse, or modify the findings and recommendations of the hearing officer or the hearing panel. If the commissioner determines to deny an application for certification, the commissioner shall communicate that decision to the applicant. If the commissioner determines to revoke or suspend a certificate, or to impose another penalty upon the certified individual as prescribed in section 83.6 of this Part, the commissioner shall execute an order to that effect and shall have the order served upon the certified individual. If no appeal is taken by a certified individual or applicant within the time prescribed in this section, and no review proceeding has been commenced by the commissioner, the conclusion of the hearing officer or the hearing panel shall be final and in the case of an annulment or suspension of a certificate or the imposition of another penalty upon the certified individual as prescribed in section 83.6 of this Part, the commissioner shall issue an order to that effect.
Historical Note Sec. filed Aug. 6, 1974; amds. filed: Jan. 19, 1993; Nov. 14, 2000 as emergency measure; Feb. 9, 2001 as emergency measure; Feb. 9, 2001; Nov. 9, 2004 eff. Nov. 25, 2004. Amended (a), (b)(2). 8 NYCRR 83.5, 8 NY ADC 83.5 8 NY ADC 83.5
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Section 83.6 Penalties.(a) In a proceeding brought pursuant to this Part, for individuals who are served with a notice that a substantial question exists as to moral character prior to November 1, 2000, a hearing officer or hearing panel, as applicable, may recommend and the commissioner may impose the following penalties: denial of an application for certification, or suspension of a certificate, or revocation of a certificate.
(b) In a proceeding brought pursuant to this Part, for individuals who are served with a notice that a substantial question exists as to moral character on or after November 1, 2000, a hearing officer or hearing panel, as applicable, may recommend and the commissioner may impose the penalty of the denial of an application for certification; and the hearing officer or hearing panel, as applicable, may recommend and the commissioner may impose one of the following alternative penalties upon certified individuals:
(1) revocation of a certificate; or
(2) suspension of a certificate:
(i) wholly for a fixed period of time;
(ii) partially, until the certificate holder successfully completes a course of retraining in the area to which the suspension applies; or
(iii) wholly, until the certificate holder successfully completes a course of therapy or treatment;
(3) limitation of the scope of a teaching certificate through revocation of an extension to teach additional subjects or grades;
(4) a fine not to exceed $5,000; or
(5) a requirement that the certified individual pursue a course of continuing education or training.
(c) The date of the mailing of the notice that a substantial question exists as to moral character shall be the date of service of such notice for the purpose of determining whether the penalties prescribed in subdivision (a) or (b) of this section shall apply.
Historical Note Sec. filed: Nov. 14, 2000 as emergency measure; Feb. 9, 2001 as emergency measure eff. Feb. 12, 2001; Feb. 9, 2001 eff. March 1, 2001. 8 NYCRR 83.6, 8 NY ADC 83.6 8 NY ADC 83.6
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Friday, January 20, 2012

SchoolBook: Inching Closer to Agreement on Evaluations for Teachers

New York City Plans to Close a Charter School for Mediocrity

Monday, January 16, 2012

Cuomo and Bloomberg on Attack on Teacher Evaluations

Study on Teacher Value Uses Data From Before Teach-to-Test Era

Friday, January 13, 2012

Bloomberg, in State of the City Address, Focuses on Education

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

On Education: New York City Student Testing Over the Past Decade

New York State Schools May Lose Aid Over Teacher Evaluations

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