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Information and Guidance for Colleges and Universities In Response to the COVID-19 Emergency

April 15, 2022

Memo: Extension of Distance Education Flexibility for the 2022-2023 Academic Year

NYS Education Department guidance for NYS Colleges and Universities related to distance education and the 2022-2023 Academic Year.

June 25, 2021

Memo: Educator Preparation Program Clinical Experience Flexibilities for the 2021-2022 Academic Year

NYS Education Department guidance for NYS Colleges and Universities related to flexibilities applicable to educator preparation program clinical experiences for the 2021-2022 Academic Year.

March 8, 2021

Memo: Extension of Distance Education Flexibility for the 2021-2022 Academic Year

NYS Education Department guidance for NYS Colleges and Universities related to distance education and the 2021-2022 Academic Year.

October 5, 2020

Memo: Extension of Distance Education Flexibility for the Spring 2021 Semester

NYS Education Department guidance for NYS Colleges and Universities related to distance education and the Spring 2021 semester.

August 6, 2020

Guidance for New York State Colleges and Universities on Reopening for the 2020-21 Academic Year

The New York State Education Department released this guidance to assist institutions of higher education in planning for a safe and orderly return to educational operations—whether remote, in person, or a combination of the two.

July 17, 2020

Memo: Shortened Semester Flexibility for Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 Semesters

This guidance details the amendment to Section 145-2.1(a)(i) and (ii) of the Commissioner's Regulations that permits NYS Colleges and Universities to shorten the Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 semesters from a minimum of 15 weeks to no less than 12 weeks without impacting a student's eligibility for NYS financial aid.

May 20, 2020

Memo: Distance Education Flexibility Fall 2020 Semester

NYS Education Department guidance for NYS Colleges and Universities related to distance education and the Fall 2020 semester.

May 12, 2020

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - NYS Colleges and Universities Impacted by the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

This FAQ document clarifies and supplements the guidance document that was first issued on March 5, 2020 and updated on April 2, 2020 and responds to related questions received from the field.

May 4, 2020

Certification Examination Guidance for New York State Registered Educator Preparation Programs Impacted by the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

New York State registered educator preparation programs (EPPs) and candidates seeking New York State certification have experienced many challenges due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency. This guidance is an update to the March 30th guidance and is issued in partial response to the reopening of some of the test centers on May 1, 2020.

April 27, 2020

Guidance for Educator Preparation Programs on Acceptance of “Pass” Grades in the Individual Evaluation Pathway

NYSED will allow any undergraduate or graduate level content core or pedagogical core course, completed during the Spring, Summer, or Fall 2020 terms with a “pass” grade, or its equivalent, to count towards the content core or pedagogical core semester hour requirements for certification through the Individual Evaluation pathway.

April 2, 2020

UPDATED Guidance for Colleges and Universities on Addressing the Needs of Students Impacted by the Coronavirus

NYS Education Department updated guidance for NYS Colleges and Universities related to the Coronavirus and its impact on students and campuses. Please note that this guidance is an update to the original guidance posted on March 5, 2020. 

March 30, 2020

Guidance for Educator Preparation Programs on Clinical Experiences and Certification Impacted by the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

This guidance document and accompanying FAQs address the current issues and challenges related to clinical experiences and certification during the COVID-19 crisis this semester. 

March 20, 2020

NYSED DASA Training Online

Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) training may be offered entirely online during the COVID-19 state of emergency in New York State.

March 5, 2020

NYSED Coronavirus Guidance for Colleges and Universities

NYS Education Department guidance for NYS Colleges and Universities related to the Coronavirus and its impact on students and campuses. Please note that this guidance was updated on April 2, 2020.