NY A08845

Commissioner of education shall establish a temporary online learning advisory council with 11 members, including two each appointed by the governor, senate temporary president, and assembly speaker, plus educators (teachers, principals, superintendents) from rural, urban, and suburban districts appointed by the commissioner

Council members must have expertise in online technology, blended learning, rural education delivery, regional educational services, or teacher training in online instruction, and shall represent diversity across school environments

Advisory council shall develop recommendations including guidance for statewide online and blended learning network use, best practices and model policies, academic programming, higher education partnerships for workforce opportunities, and teaching/professional development policies

Council members shall receive no compensation but may be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses, with meetings conducted to minimize travel and costs as determined by the commissioner

Final report must be submitted to the governor, senate president, assembly speaker, and education committee chairs by October 1, 2015, at which time the advisory council shall expire and be repealed