Chapter 143 of the Laws of 2006 requires that after September 1, 2009 individuals applying for a teaching certificate as a special education teacher complete course work or training in the area of children with autism. The course work or training must be obtained from an institution or provider which has been approved by the State Education Department to provide such course work or training.
Sections 52.21, 80-3.7 and 80-1.12 of the Commissioner’s Regulations have been amended to conform to Chapter 143. Section 52.21 has been amended to add autism specific requirements for special education teacher preparation programs as of September 1, 2008. On or after September 1, 2008, any individual completing a New York State registered teacher education program leading to a recommendation for any of the certificate titles listed below will have had the required coursework or training in the needs of students with autism as part of their special education program and do not need to submit documentation for this requirement.
What you need to know…
Applicable Special Education Titles…
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Special Education
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Students with Disabilities (SWD) (all grade levels)
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Speech and Language Disabilities
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Deaf and Hard of Hearing
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Blind and Visually Impaired
You are required to complete three (3) clock hours of training if you…
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Apply for one of the certificate titles above after September 2, 2009 and completed a NYS master’s degree program prior to September 1, 2008; or
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Completed a teacher education program in another state; or
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Apply for one of the certificate titles above as an additional certificate after September 2, 2009.
You are not required to complete three (3) clock hours of training if you…
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Applied for one of the certificate titles above prior to September 1, 2009 and completed a NYS registered special education/SWD program after September 1, 2008.
Where to find this training…
After completing the three clock hours of coursework or training, send the approved provider’s certificate of completion to the Office of Teaching Initiatives at the NYS Education Department, 89 Washington Avenue, 5N Education Building, Albany, New York 12234.
AMENDMENT TO THE REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
Pursuant to sections 207, 212, 208, 305, 308, 3001, 3004, 3006, 3007 and 3009 of the Education Law.
Subclause (1) of clause (b) of subparagraph (vi) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of section 52.21 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended, effective October 9, 2008, as follows:
(1) study in the following:
(vii) use of assistive and instructional technology in the teaching of and learning by students with disabilities; [and]
(viii) . . .
(ix) understanding the needs of students with autism, including, but not limited to, the etiology, prevalence, characteristics, and evidence-based instructional methodology for teaching students with autism, instructional design and supports to promote communication and socialization skills and skill generalization and maintenance; positive behavioral supports, functional behavioral assessments and behavioral intervention plans; collaboration between the home, class, school and community to ensure that students are supported in the general education environment; and knowledge of resources such as early childhood supports, respite care, state agencies, transition services and vocational rehabilitation services and parent support networks and associations that are available to support students and families;
A new Section 80-1.12 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is added, effective October 9, 2008, as follows:
Section 80-1.12 - Required study in the needs of students with autism for certificates in certain classroom teaching titles.All candidates for a certificate or license valid for a certificate in the classroom teaching titles of students with disabilities in early childhood, childhood, middle childhood or adolescence; deaf and hard of hearing; blind and visually impaired and speech and language disabilities, who apply for a certificate or license on or after September 2, 2009, shall have completed at least three clock hours of course work or training in autism, as required by section 3004 of the Education Law, which is provided by a registered program leading to certification pursuant to section 52.21 of this Title or other approved provider pursuant to Subpart 57-3 of this Title.
Paragraph 3 of subdivision (a) of Section 80-3.7 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended, effective October 9, 2008, as follows:
(3) Additional requirements. A candidate seeking to fulfill the education requirement for the initial certificate through individual evaluation of education requirements shall meet the additional requirements in this paragraph or their substantial equivalent as determined by the commissioner, if so prescribed for that certificate title, in addition to the general requirements prescribed in paragraph (2) of this subdivision.
(v) Students with disabilities (birth-grade 2).
(c) For candidates applying for a certificate or license on or after September 2, 2009, the candidate shall complete study in autism, as prescribed in section 80-1.12 of this Part, or its equivalent as determined by the commissioner.
(vi) Students with disabilities (grades 1-6).
(c) For candidates applying for a certificate or license on or after September 2, 2009, the candidate shall complete study in autism, as prescribed in section 80-1.12 of this Part, or its equivalent as determined by the commissioner.
(vii) Students with disabilities (grades 5-9).
(c) For candidates applying for a certificate or license on or after September 2, 2009, the candidate shall complete study in autism, as prescribed in section 80-1.12 of this Part, or its equivalent as determined by the commissioner.
(viii) Students with disabilities (grades 7-12).
(c) For candidates applying for a certificate or license on or after September 2, 2009, the candidate shall complete study in autism, as prescribed in section 80-1.12 of this Part, or its equivalent as determined by the commissioner.
(ix) Deaf and hard of hearing (all grades).
(c) For candidates applying for a certificate or license on or after September 2, 2009, the candidate shall complete study in autism, as prescribed in section 80-1.12 of this Part, or its equivalent as determined by the commissioner.
(x) Blind or visually impaired (all grades).
(c) For candidates applying for a certificate or license on or after September 2, 2009, the candidate shall complete study in autism, as prescribed in section 80-1.12 of this Part, or its equivalent as determined by the commissioner.
(xi) Speech and language disabilities (all grades).
(c) For candidates applying for a certificate or license on or after September 2, 2009, the candidate shall complete study in autism, as prescribed in section 80-1.12 of this Part, or its equivalent as determined by the commissioner.