POTSDAM -- SUNY Potsdam Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Margaret E. Madden was appointed to the state Professional Standards and Practices Board for Teaching recently.

The board was established in 1998 by the Board of Regents to advise the Regents and the Commissioner of Education on matters related to teaching in New York State. The board is comprised of 28 members, including K-12 teachers and administrators, higher education representatives, public representatives and one teacher education student.

"I am honored to be able to serve on this board to advance collegiate programs in teacher preparation and promote professional development of teachers at all levels. High quality instruction throughout levels from pre-kindergarten to graduate work in education is vital for creating a productive and informed citizenry of New York State," Dr. Madden said.

Members serve four-year staggered terms, with the exception of the teacher education student, who serves one, two-year term as a non-voting member. They are selected to represent diverse perspectives.

The board's responsibilities include making recommendations to the Regents regarding:

• Mentoring programs for new teachers

• Criteria and training for annual teacher performance reviews

• Certification requirements to ensure that teachers are prepared to teach to the student learning standards

• Models and criteria for professional development

• A code of ethics for teachers

• Ways to attract and retain certified teachers in high need schools

• The NYS Teacher Certification Examination Program

• Professional development requirements for maintenance of certificates

• Liaisons with accrediting bodies for teacher education, including the newly formed Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, which resulted from the merger of NCATE and TEAC.

• The NYS Teacher Resource & Computer Training Center Program

• Teacher moral character cases

• Program policy and regulations

The New York State Board of Regents is responsible for the general supervision of all educational activities within the state, presiding over the New York State Education Department and the University of the State of New York. The University of the State of New York encompasses all the institutions, both public and private, which offer education in the state.

Madden has been the provost and vice president of academic affairs at SUNY Potsdam since 2002. A social psychologist specializing in gender issues, she has taught courses in gender, social, developmental, personality and research methods in psychology and gender studies.