Forms, information for prospective student-athletes.
Updates for Initial Certification Candidates
Candidates applying for Initial Teacher Certification or SBL/SDL Certification or graduating on or after May 1st, 2014 will be required to take new exams. The new tests are for all graduates on or after May 1, 2014.
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Current Exams (phased out as of April 30, 2014) |
New Exams |
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Teacher |
Assessment of Teaching Skills - Written (ATS-W) |
* edTPA |
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Educating All Students Test (EAS) |
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Liberal Arts And Science Test (LAST) |
** Academic Literacy Skills Test (ALST) |
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Content Specialty Tests (CST) |
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School Building Leader |
School Building Leader Exam (SBL) (Written) |
School Building Leader Exam (SBL) (Including Performance Assessment) |
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Educating All Students Test (EAS) |
*If you already hold a valid Initial Teacher Certification in another area (e.g., Adolescence Education Mathematics) and you are completing a 2nd Initial Certification program (e.g., Literacy Education, Grades 5-12), you will not need to complete the edTPA.
** If you already hold a valid Initial Teacher Certification in another area and you are completing a 2nd Initial Certification program, you will not need to complete the ALST.
Anticipated requirements for qualified candidates who apply for a certificate on or before April 30, 2014 and qualified candidates who apply via the Individual Evaluation pathway prior to September 1, 2013
- All candidates for the Initial or Transitional B teaching certificate may take the current Content Specialty Test (CST) in their field. Candidates who do not pass the current CST prior to implementation of the new CST will have to pass the new CST. (See "When will the new exams be available," below.)
- Candidates who apply for their first Initial certificate on or before April 30, 2014 and who will have completed all of their requirements by April 30, 2014 will be required to pass the Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST) and Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written (ATS‑W). Candidates who do not complete all requirements (including passing both the LAST and the ATS-W) by April 30, 2014 will be required to pass the new Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA), EAS, and Academic Literacy Skills Test (ALST).
- Candidates who apply for the initial School Building Leader (SBL) certificate on or before April 30, 2014 and who will have completed all of their requirements by April 30, 2014 will be required to pass the current SBL exam. Candidates who do not complete all requirements (including passing the current SBL exam) by April 30, 2014 will be required to pass the new SBL exam and the EAS.
- Candidates who will have completed all of the requirements for the Transitional B certificate by April 30, 2014 will be required to pass the LAST and CST by that date and will be required to pass the ATS-W prior to obtaining the Initial certificate. Candidates who do not complete all requirements for the Transitional B certificate by April 30, 2014 will be required to pass the new Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA), EAS, and ALST.
- All candidates for the Initial or Transitional B teaching certificate may take the current CST in their field. Candidates who do not pass the current CST prior to implementation of the new CST will have to pass the new CST. (See "When will the new exams be available," below.)
- Candidates who apply for their first Initial certificate on or after May 1, 2014-including candidates who will graduate from an approved teacher preparation program on or after May 1, 2014-should not take the LAST or the ATS‑W. These candidates will be required to pass the new Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA), EAS, and ALST. Candidates who apply for the initial SBL certificate on or after May 1, 2014-including candidates who will graduate from an approved SBL preparation program on or after May 1, 2014-should not take the current SBL exam. These candidates will be required to pass the new SBL exam and the new EAS.
- Candidates who will complete all of their requirements for the Transitional B certificate on or after May 1, 2014 should not take the LAST or the ATS-W. These candidates will be required to pass the new EAS and ALST (as well as the CST) to qualify for the Transitional B certificate and the new edTPA to qualify for the Initial certificate.
When will the new exams be available?
The edTPA will be operational in Fall 2013. The ALST, EAS, and SBL exam will be operational in Fall 2013. Go to http://www.nystce.nesinc.com/NY_annProgramUpdate.asp to see when the new CSTs will be available.
What is going to be covered on the new exams?
NYSED has posted test frameworks that outline in detail the material that each test will cover, as well as the performance standards for each test. Go to http://www.nystce.nesinc.com/NY_annProgramUpdate.asp where the framework for each new CST will be published well before the first administration date.
Additional information regarding the new exams and other department initiatives in educator preparation and certification can be found at http://www.highered.nysed.gov/resources.html
Questions? Email edcertpolicy@mail.nysed.gov. The department will periodically publish answers to your frequently asked questions.
Anticipated requirements for candidates graduating or applying for a certificate on or after May 1, 2014