New York State New York State Teacher Teacher

CertificationCertification

A Guide To UnderstandingA Guide To Understanding

What Is Certification?What Is Certification?• In France, under Napoleon in 1831, thirty higher-In France, under Napoleon in 1831, thirty higher-

education “normal” schools were devised for teacher education “normal” schools were devised for teacher training.training.

• In 1839, the first higher-ed teacher training school was In 1839, the first higher-ed teacher training school was created in America under the leadership of Horace Mann. created in America under the leadership of Horace Mann. It was a rough beginning on many accounts.It was a rough beginning on many accounts.

• It slowly became an accepted reality that teachers should It slowly became an accepted reality that teachers should be trained in subject matter and teaching methods.be trained in subject matter and teaching methods.

• Eventually, certification exams were created and originally Eventually, certification exams were created and originally intended to be locally managed by superintendents and intended to be locally managed by superintendents and teachers.teachers.

• In 1980, only a few states required aspiring teachers to In 1980, only a few states required aspiring teachers to pass a test for certification.pass a test for certification.

• By 1990, thirty-nine states required passage of tests for By 1990, thirty-nine states required passage of tests for cert. and all fifty states approve the content of teacher cert. and all fifty states approve the content of teacher education programs.education programs.

Types of Teacher Types of Teacher CertificationCertification

• Provisional CertificationProvisional Certification: : Previously, the entry-level Previously, the entry-level certificate for classroom teachers, certificate for classroom teachers, but discontinued as of February 2, but discontinued as of February 2, 2004.2004.PROVISIONAL CERTIFICATION LEAD TO:PROVISIONAL CERTIFICATION LEAD TO:

• Permanent CertificationPermanent Certification: Remains : Remains the advanced-level certificate for the advanced-level certificate for classroom teachers and is valid for classroom teachers and is valid for life.life.

THE OLD WAY

Types of Teaching Types of Teaching CertificatesCertificates

• InitialInitial: The entry-level certificate for : The entry-level certificate for classroom teachersclassroom teachers, valid for five years, , valid for five years, leads to a professional certificate.leads to a professional certificate.

INITIAL CERTIFICATION LEADS TOINITIAL CERTIFICATION LEADS TO

• ProfessionalProfessional: The advanced-level certificate : The advanced-level certificate for for classroom teachersclassroom teachers. Continuously . Continuously valid with completion of required valid with completion of required professional development hours on a five-professional development hours on a five-year professional development cycle.year professional development cycle.

THE NEW WAYTHE NEW WAY

Person A – Seeking Initial Person A – Seeking Initial Certification in K-6 Certification in K-6

Elementary Ed.Elementary Ed.1.1. Completion in a NY State registered program.Completion in a NY State registered program.2.2. Written recommendation for certification by Higher Ed. Written recommendation for certification by Higher Ed.

Program (college).Program (college).3.3. NYS Teacher Certification Exam: Liberal Arts and Science NYS Teacher Certification Exam: Liberal Arts and Science

Test (LAST): Assesses knowledge and skills in five areas.Test (LAST): Assesses knowledge and skills in five areas.4.4. NYS Teacher Certification Exam: Elementary Assessment NYS Teacher Certification Exam: Elementary Assessment

of Teaching Skills (ATS-W): Assesses professional and of Teaching Skills (ATS-W): Assesses professional and pedagogical knowledge at the early childhood (Birth- pedagogical knowledge at the early childhood (Birth- Grade 2) and childhood (Grades 1- 6) levels.Grade 2) and childhood (Grades 1- 6) levels.

5.5. Content Specialty Test: Assesses knowledge and skills in Content Specialty Test: Assesses knowledge and skills in the subject of the certificate sought.the subject of the certificate sought.

6.6. Fingerprint Clearance: Candidates applying on or after Fingerprint Clearance: Candidates applying on or after July 1, 2001, must be cleared by the New York State July 1, 2001, must be cleared by the New York State Education Department through a fingerprint-supported Education Department through a fingerprint-supported criminal history background check. criminal history background check.

7.7. At this point, the candidate is eligible for INITIAL At this point, the candidate is eligible for INITIAL CERTIFICATION.CERTIFICATION.

Person A – With Initial Person A – With Initial Certification, Seeking Certification, Seeking

Professional CertificationProfessional Certification1.1. Candidate earns Master’s Degree Candidate earns Master’s Degree

from accredited higher ed. from accredited higher ed. Program.Program.

a.a. Key PointKey Point: twelve credits must be : twelve credits must be earned in relation to the area of earned in relation to the area of certification or a graduate degree certification or a graduate degree in Education.in Education.

2.2. 3 Years full-time classroom 3 Years full-time classroom teaching experience: includes teaching experience: includes experience earned in a public or experience earned in a public or approved nonpublic preschool or approved nonpublic preschool or elementary, middle, or secondary elementary, middle, or secondary school. school.

3.3. One year documented mentoring One year documented mentoring experience.experience.

4.4. Candidate has five years to Candidate has five years to achieve steps 1-3.achieve steps 1-3.

5.5. Individual applies and receives Individual applies and receives Professional Certification – Yeah!! Professional Certification – Yeah!! Your first professional Your first professional development period begins on development period begins on July 1 July 1 followingfollowing the effective the effective date of your Professional teaching date of your Professional teaching certificate. certificate.

Maintaining Professional Maintaining Professional CertificationCertification

• Professional:Professional: Holders of the Professional Holders of the Professional classroom teaching certificate must complete classroom teaching certificate must complete 175 hours of professional development every 175 hours of professional development every five years. Satisfaction of this requirement five years. Satisfaction of this requirement maintains the validity of the certificate. maintains the validity of the certificate.

• Every five years this clock resets in order to Every five years this clock resets in order to maintain valid certification.maintain valid certification.

• Records should be kept as current with Records should be kept as current with activity completion as is possible.  Records activity completion as is possible.  Records must be kept must be kept seven yearsseven years and be made and be made available to the New York State Education available to the New York State Education Department in the event of an audit. Department in the event of an audit.

What Activities Count What Activities Count Toward 175 P.D. Hours?Toward 175 P.D. Hours?

• Analyzing student data and student work to determine needed changes in the Analyzing student data and student work to determine needed changes in the delivery of instruction.delivery of instruction.

• Participating in reviews of class performance data over time to make decisions about Participating in reviews of class performance data over time to make decisions about one's own professional development, based on student outcomesone's own professional development, based on student outcomes

• Collaborating with other teachers and teaching assistants to examine case studies of Collaborating with other teachers and teaching assistants to examine case studies of student work and developmentstudent work and development

• Participating in courses and other learning opportunities delivered from many Participating in courses and other learning opportunities delivered from many providers, such as institutions of higher education, teacher centers, BOCES, school providers, such as institutions of higher education, teacher centers, BOCES, school districts and independent professional development service providers. districts and independent professional development service providers.

• Coursework linked to improvement of instructional technique or content knowledge, Coursework linked to improvement of instructional technique or content knowledge, which may or may not be in pursuit of a teaching or advanced teaching degree. which may or may not be in pursuit of a teaching or advanced teaching degree.

• Completing coursework for more advanced certification or certificates in additional Completing coursework for more advanced certification or certificates in additional areas or in accordance with teaching assignment requirement for extension to areas or in accordance with teaching assignment requirement for extension to certification. certification.

• Participating in regional scoring of State assessments, assessing student portfolios Participating in regional scoring of State assessments, assessing student portfolios • Creating and assessing teacher or teaching assistant portfoliosCreating and assessing teacher or teaching assistant portfolios

• Engaging in research projects (includes online research)Engaging in research projects (includes online research)

• Curriculum planning and developmentCurriculum planning and development

• Developing or collaborating on the development of new programs and instructional Developing or collaborating on the development of new programs and instructional methodsmethods

• Service as a mentor, support teacher, helping teacher, or peer coach Service as a mentor, support teacher, helping teacher, or peer coach • Service as a cooperating teacher for a student teacher or field internships; including Service as a cooperating teacher for a student teacher or field internships; including

attendant meetings and processes. attendant meetings and processes. • Participation in study (collegial) circles such as "Critical Friends" activities, Participation in study (collegial) circles such as "Critical Friends" activities,

structured guided reflection activities focused on student learning structured guided reflection activities focused on student learning • Participating in formal programs of peer coaching or participation in peer reviewParticipating in formal programs of peer coaching or participation in peer review

• Participating in Professional Development School activities or other school-college Participating in Professional Development School activities or other school-college teacher development partnershipsteacher development partnerships

• Serving on CDEP (Comprehensive District Education Plan), or DCEP (District Serving on CDEP (Comprehensive District Education Plan), or DCEP (District Comprehensive Education Plan), or CEP (Comprehensive Education Plan), or other Comprehensive Education Plan), or CEP (Comprehensive Education Plan), or other school leadership activities or committees.school leadership activities or committees.

• Delivering professional development (e.g. conducting workshops, job-embedded Delivering professional development (e.g. conducting workshops, job-embedded modeling and coaching, providing preservice teacher preparation courses)modeling and coaching, providing preservice teacher preparation courses)

• Pursuing National Board certification or re-certification (either as candidate or Pursuing National Board certification or re-certification (either as candidate or provider of support) provider of support)

• Service/designation as Master TeacherService/designation as Master Teacher

• Engaging in Sabbatical work related to content specialty or enhancement of teaching Engaging in Sabbatical work related to content specialty or enhancement of teaching strategies. strategies.

• Teacher of the Year activities Teacher of the Year activities • NYSTCE "assessor" or test development committee member NYSTCE "assessor" or test development committee member • Development of Statewide curriculumDevelopment of Statewide curriculum

• Service as an elected officer in professional organizations Service as an elected officer in professional organizations • Service as teacher center director Service as teacher center director • Service on the State Professional Standards and Practices Board Service on the State Professional Standards and Practices Board • Developing and presenting a major paper Developing and presenting a major paper • Publishing in educational journals Publishing in educational journals

Professional Certification – Professional Certification – Points to ConsiderPoints to Consider

• What is the responsibility of the school districts?What is the responsibility of the school districts?– Public school districts and BOCES are responsible for Public school districts and BOCES are responsible for

planning and providing appropriate professional planning and providing appropriate professional development for holders of Professional and Teaching development for holders of Professional and Teaching Assistant III certificates, as for all teachers, as part of the Assistant III certificates, as for all teachers, as part of the district’s professional development plan. district’s professional development plan.

• How should district’s plan their p.d.?How should district’s plan their p.d.?– It is recommended that the district consult with the It is recommended that the district consult with the

certificate holder and jointly consider the activities, events, certificate holder and jointly consider the activities, events, and coursework identified by the certificate holder to be and coursework identified by the certificate holder to be completed each school year. This includes professional completed each school year. This includes professional development that is not district-sponsored, for example, a development that is not district-sponsored, for example, a graduate course related to the teacher’s certificate area. It graduate course related to the teacher’s certificate area. It is recommended that such consultation occur annually at a is recommended that such consultation occur annually at a minimum, and thereafter as frequently as needed, as on the minimum, and thereafter as frequently as needed, as on the occasion of an adjustment to planned activities. See occasion of an adjustment to planned activities. See Suggested ActivitiesSuggested Activities..

• What happens to a certificate holder who fails to record What happens to a certificate holder who fails to record enough p.d.?enough p.d.?– Any Professional or Teaching Assistant III certificate holder Any Professional or Teaching Assistant III certificate holder

who fails to complete the required professional who fails to complete the required professional development requirement becomes subject to due process development requirement becomes subject to due process and risks the loss of his or her certificate. and risks the loss of his or her certificate.

Certification and Tenure: Certification and Tenure: Two Separate SystemsTwo Separate Systems

• Tenure: the statutory right to hold Tenure: the statutory right to hold office or employment and receive the office or employment and receive the benefits and emoluments of the benefits and emoluments of the position.position.

• In general, tenure is a three year In general, tenure is a three year process.process.

• Juul agreements may extend the time Juul agreements may extend the time to four years.to four years.

• Part-time employment does not apply Part-time employment does not apply toward tenure time.toward tenure time.

• The broad purpose of tenure is to The broad purpose of tenure is to protect worthy instructors from protect worthy instructors from enforced yielding to political enforced yielding to political pressures and to guarantee pressures and to guarantee employment, regardless of the employment, regardless of the changes in politics.changes in politics.

• Certification: indicates individual Certification: indicates individual successfully completed coursework successfully completed coursework and passed exams in subject matter and passed exams in subject matter and pedagogical understanding in and pedagogical understanding in order to enter teaching profession.order to enter teaching profession.

• In most circumstances, public school In most circumstances, public school districts must hire certified teachers.districts must hire certified teachers.

• Most new hires hold an initial Most new hires hold an initial certificate. Those teachers must work certificate. Those teachers must work full-time for three years and earn full-time for three years and earn their Master’s Degree within five their Master’s Degree within five years.years.

• Hence, it takes between three and Hence, it takes between three and five years to earn professional five years to earn professional certification.certification.

• In essence, often times schools award In essence, often times schools award tenure to teachers holding initial tenure to teachers holding initial certification with the expectation the certification with the expectation the teacher will earn professional teacher will earn professional certification.certification.

• A teacher with initial certification that A teacher with initial certification that fails to earn / apply for professional fails to earn / apply for professional certification is no longer certified, certification is no longer certified, therefore, ineligible for tenure track therefore, ineligible for tenure track teacher employment.teacher employment.

Concluding ThoughtsConcluding Thoughts

• NY Certification titles and process changed NY Certification titles and process changed in 2004.in 2004.

• There are two types of certification, initial There are two types of certification, initial and professional. Initial leads to and professional. Initial leads to professional.professional.

• Once initially certified, a teacher has up to Once initially certified, a teacher has up to five years to earn professional certification.five years to earn professional certification.

• Teachers that earn professional certification Teachers that earn professional certification have five years to record 175 hours of p.d.have five years to record 175 hours of p.d.

• Professional certification resets every five Professional certification resets every five years. years.

Helpful LinksHelpful Links• General information about teacher certification. General information about teacher certification.

http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/index.htmlhttp://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/index.html• A link to a professional development record keeping A link to a professional development record keeping

document for teachers - document for teachers - http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/maintaincehttp://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/maintaincert-prof.htmrt-prof.htm

• Frequently asked questions - Frequently asked questions - http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/faq.htmhttp://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/faq.htm

• Mentoring resources - Mentoring resources - http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/resteachers/teacherinhttp://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/resteachers/teacherinduction.htmduction.htm

• Professional Certification resources –Professional Certification resources –

http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/maintainchttp://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/maintaincert-sd.htmert-sd.htm