About Us
The Office of Teacher Quality and Professional Development (TQPD) has responsibility for the administration of federal and state programs, regulations and initiatives related to the continuing development of highly effective teachers and leaders of P-12 schools, including the planning, implementation and evaluation of professional development that helps educators to meet this goal.
We have formal responsibility for two continuing ESEA/NCLB programs:
- Improving Teacher Quality State Grants (ESEA/NCLB Title II, Part A): federal formula allocations provided to all NYS districts and charter schools; funds support district initiatives in teacher recruitment, retention and professional development.
- Rural Education Assistance Program (ESEA/NCLB Title VI, Part B): federal formula allocations provide additional resources to identified rural districts to assist them in meeting state definitions of adequate yearly progress (AYP).
We provide ongoing technical support and act as NYSED liaisons to the following Statewide professional development provider networks:
- New York State Teacher Resource and Computer Training Centers: State Legislative initiative with annual appropriations (not yet funded for 2010-11) supporting 133 Teacher Centers that provide teacher professional development services based on locally identified needs.
- Staff and Curriculum Development Network(SCDN): representatives from each BOCES and each Big 5 district meet quarterly (and participate in an active private listserv) to implement NYSED initiatives, share professional development practices, and share/disseminate information within their regions.
- New York State Council of Educational Associations (NYSCEA): representatives of more than 40 professional organizations meet three times a year for presentations and discussion related to educational initiatives, issues and policy.
We are involved with P-12 stakeholders and other NYSED offices in the implementation of several Commissioners Regulations and in the development of Statewide initiatives related to highly effective teaching and high quality professional development:
We continue to maintain the CDEP website, which includes some current tools as well as the history of the CDEP pilot:
For assistance related to any of the above initiatives,
contact us at emscprofdev@mail.nysed.gov, or call 518-473-7155.