Program Offices within the Office of Higher Education​
The Office of Higher Education (OHE) works to coordinate New York's higher education system and strengthenÌýpartnerships to achieve the most effective use ofÌýresources and improve educational access, opportunities, and studentÌýresults.ÌýTo accomplish this work, OHE is comprised of five programmatic units:​
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- OAECES – Office of Access, Equity & Community Engagement ServicesÌý​
The Office of Access, Equity & Community Engagement Services (OAECES) oversees the Office of PostsecondaryÌýAccess, Support, and Success (OPASS), which aims to assist students in the preparation for, access to, supportÌýduring, and the successful completion of a postsecondary program, certificate or degree.ÌýOAECES also oversees theÌýNew York State My Brother's Keeper (MBK) initiative, whichÌýseeks to “Change the Narrativeâ€� of boys and youngÌýmen of color, and all students, by closing and eliminating the opportunity gaps they face and helping them to reachÌýtheir full potential.​
Ìý - OCUE – Office of College & University EvaluationÌý​
The Office of College and University Evaluation (OCUE) provides regulatory oversight of public, private andÌýproprietary degree-granting institutions in New York State and the programs of study offered by those institutions.​
Ìý - OEQPD – Office of Educator Quality & Professional DevelopmentÌý​
By helping school districts and BOCES to develop comprehensive systems of preparation, support, andÌýadvancement for educators that are responsive to local context, the Office of Educator Quality and ProfessionalÌýDevelopment seeks to ensure that all students, regardless of demography or zip code, have access to greatÌýteachers and school leaders.​
Ìý - OSPRA – Office of School Personnel Review & AccountabilityÌý​
The À¶Ý®ÊÓÆµâ€™s Office of School Personnel Review and Accountability (OSPRA) pursuesÌýadministrative educator discipline, manages the teacher tenure employment termination process, and managesÌýfingerprint-supported criminal history background clearances for certification and school employment purposes.
Ìý - OTLD - Office of Teacher and Leader DevelopmentÌý​
The Office of Teacher and Leader Development (OTLD) supports À¶Ý®ÊÓÆµâ€™s vision for a sustaining educator pipeline, which systemically addresses the recruitment, development, and retention of high-quality, diverse educators grounded in the teaching and leadership standards.
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The Office of Teaching Initiatives (OTI) processes New York State educator certificate applications, approves DASAÌýworkshop providers and CTLE sponsors, and responds to inquiries from prospective and practicing educators,Ìýschool districts, institutions of higher education, and others regarding certification and registration.

