Overview
Changes to Part 154 of Commissioner's Regulations in 2015 that layout the requirements for the instruction of English Language Learners (ELL) require that the majority of instruction for ELLs be integrated into the content areas, especially English language arts. As a result, many ESOL-certified teachers and grade/content-certified teachers are interested in adding either a content area or ESOL certificate to their base certificate(s).
The checklists below outline the requirements for teachers interested in acquiring either:
- English as a Second Language (ESOL) supplementary certificate, or
- Childhood Education, Grades 1-6 supplementary certificate, or
- ELA 7-12 supplementary certificate
A supplementary certificate allows for currently certified teachers to obtain an additional certificate by completing an abbreviated list of requirements up front including a recommendation from the school district offering a position. The teacher may begin work immediately upon obtaining the supplementary certificate, and then complete the remaining requirements for the initial/professional certificate over a three-year period.
General Requirements for ESOL Certificate Holder Pursuing Childhood Supplementary Certificate
- 12 credits in content core for childhood education (12 credits total from Mathematics,
Sciences, or Historical/Social Sciences+)
- Childhood Education Multi-Subject 1-6 Content Specialty Test
- DASA Workshop – 6 hours
- School district recommendation for supplementary certificate on applicant’s TEACH account which indicates a position is available
- ESOL certificate holder applies for the supplementary certificate on the TEACH system.
Once issued, teacher is employable under the Childhood Supplementary Certificate.
Within the 5-year lifespan of the supplementary certificate, all remaining requirements for initial/professional certification must be fulfilled. These include:
- 6 credits in historical and social sciences+
- 6 credits in Scientific Processes+
- 6 credits in Math+
- 6 pedagogical credits exclusively at the childhood developmental level+
- 3 credits in Teaching Literacy Skills Methods+
+ Credits can come from undergraduate or graduate study. Applicants may have already completed courses in these competency areas.
General Requirements for Childhood or Content Area Certificate Holders Pursuing ESOL Supplementary Certificate
- 3 credits in teaching literacy skills methods* +
- 3 credits in teaching literacy skills* +
- 6 credits in methods of teaching English to speakers of other languages+
- Content Specialty Test in ESOL
- DASA Workshop – 6 hours
- School district recommendation for supplementary certificate on applicant’s TEACH account which indicates a position is available
- Childhood certificate holder applies for the supplementary certificate on the TEACH system.
Once issued, teacher is employable under the ESOL supplementary certificate.
Within the 5-year lifespan of the supplementary certificate, all remaining requirements for initial/professional certification must be fulfilled. These include:
- 3 credits in linguistics+
- 3 credits in English grammar+
- 12 credits in a language other than English+
*These literacy requirements would be fulfilled already by anyone holding a childhood certificate. Permanently certified N-6 teachers may not have completed both courses.
+Credits can come from undergraduate or graduate study. Applicants may have already completed courses in these competency areas.
General Requirements for ESOL Certificate Holder Pursuing ELA 7-12 Supplementary Certificate
- 12 credits in ELA content core+
- ELA Content Specialty Test
- DASA Workshop – 6 hours
- School district recommendation for supplementary certificate on applicant’s TEACH account which indicates a position is available
- ESOL certificate holder applies for the supplementary certificate on the TEACH system.
Once issued, teacher is employable under the ELA Supplementary Certificate.
Within the 5-year lifespan of the supplementary certificate, all remaining requirements for initial/professional certification must be fulfilled. These include:
- Total of 30 ELA credits for content core+
- 6 pedagogical credits exclusively at the adolescent developmental level+
- 3 credits in Teaching Literacy Skills Methods+
+Credits can come from undergraduate or graduate study. Applicants may have already completed courses in these competency areas.
The requirements are similar for other 7-12 certificates. For the exact requirements, see http://eservices.nysed.gov/teach/certhelp/CertRequirementHelp.do