N.Y. Backs Parent, Teacher Role in School Decisions

By Karen Diegmueller

In the face of opposition from school beards, the New York State Board of Regents is pushing ahead with a plan to require districts to include teachers and parents in school decisionmaking.

Nearly a year in the making, the plan had undergone several revisions before the regents agreed late last month to a design mandating the participation of parents and teachers in the development of a school-reform plan. A controversial element of the measure would entitle teachers' unions to select the teacher members of the decisionmaking bodies.

Because the regents amended the proposed regulations, they cannot be...