"New certificate aimed at cutting teacher shortages." June 5, 2005. NYSUT Guide to K-12 Education Standards 2005-2006. New York State United Teachers.


Guide to State and Federal Standards for Academic Year 2005-2006 An overview of where New York State stands in the move to higher standards and more rigorous tests. HOME \| STANDARDS \| Your Students \| Your Credentials \| Sample Tests \| Resources \| News Archive
Your Credentials New certificate aimed at cutting teacher shortages Posted: June 6, 2005 Pictured: Many students and teachers try to learn and work in crowded classrooms like this one in Manhattan. The year 2005 has brought forth a new teaching certificate. The new supplementary certificate will allow someone certified in one teaching title to provide instruction in subjects where teacher shortages continue. Among the requirements: You must hold a valid provisional, initial, permanent, or professional certificate and the minimum degree required for an initial certificate in the title sought. The certificate area must be in a teaching title that State Ed says has a demonstrated shortage of certified teachers. You must take and pass the appropriate Content Specialty Test and be enrolled in study at an institution of higher education leading to the certificate sought. You must have completed a specific number of semester hours in the content core of the certificate sought. The school district must certify that you will get the necessary support to maintain quality instruction for students. The non-renewable certificate is valid for three years, and the program ends in 2009. SED believes the new certificate is necessary because of shortages in subject areas including math, the sciences, bilingual education and special education. Details are at the NYSUT Web site at www.nysut.org/research/bulletins/20050121regentstc.html .	Teacher ed programs facing tougher times Tougher certification requirements have meant more rigorous teacher education programs in colleges across the state. Since February 2004, when new state regulations took effect, certification at all levels has become more focused on teaching specific subjects to specific student populations. For example, someone who previously would have been certified in common branch subjects (pre-K-6) could now be certified in: early childhood education (birth to age 2); childhood education (grades 1-6); or generalist in middle childhood (grades 5-9). All of this has affected college students in elementary and secondary education programs. With the phasing in of new requirements, many hard-pressed colleges have been running dual teacher-education programs to meet the needs of students working under old and new certification regulations. In addition, college students in teacher-preparation programs must now log 100 hours of field experience in high-need schools, in addition to student-teaching. They must also work with students with disabilities and English-as-a-Second-Language students.
The Guide to State and Federal Standards for Academic Year 2005-2006 was developed by New York Teacher in conjunction with the union's Division of Research and Educational Services. Articles are by John Strachan. Updated June 2005. For updates, read New York Teacher, or go to the Web site at www.nysut.org. Single copies are available while supplies last. Bulk order requests should be made through local union presidents. Write NYSUT Publications, 800 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham, N.Y. 12110-2455; e-mail jmalec@nysutmail.org; or call (800) 342-9810, ext. 6260. Ask for item No. 204/05 from the Publications Department. The complete guide is also available for download at nysut.org/standards. NYSUT, the largest union in New York State, represents more than 525,000 classroom teachers and other school employees and retirees; academic and professional faculty at the state's community colleges, State University of New York and City University of New York; and other education and health professionals. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO. NYSUT.org. Copyright New York State United Teachers. 800 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham, New York, 12110-2455. 518.213.6000.