"Master's degree seekers get some needed relief." 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 Master's degree seekers get some needed relief Posted: June 5, 2005 Anyone who's been certified since September 2004 under new requirements will get a bit of a break in the relentless demands that all newcomers face. The state Board of Regents in January agreed with New York State United Teachers that three years isn't long enough for new teachers and other initial certificate holders to obtain a master's degree needed for a professional certificate. The window has been extended to five years from the date the initial certificate is issued. This mirrors the five years provided to provisional certificate-holders under the previous regulations. The three-year limit began in September 2004 when new certification regulations - originally adopted by the Board of Regents in 1998 - took effect. The board sets education policy in New York. NYSUT had long opposed the shift to the three-year window, saying it could worsen the teacher shortage. Many recent college graduates are carrying a heavy debt load and can little afford to take on graduate courses while adjusting to their first classroom teaching assignment and taking part in mandated mentoring and professional development programs required of all new certificate-holders. The State Education Department has agreed to extend all initial certificates issued since September 2004 to five years if necessary.	Union offers routes to master's degree Through its Effective Teaching Program, New York State United Teachers' Education and Learning Trust offers programs leading to graduate degrees at colleges throughout the state. Among the programs available are: early childhood and childhood education; liberal studies; middle level education; special education; and literacy instruction. For details on these programs and professional development opportunities offered by the Education and Learning Trust, visit www.nysut.org/etp.
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.