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Frequently Asked Questions
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Q: What do I need to do to apply for certification if I am enrolled in an approved teacher preparation program?
A: Applying for certification through the approved teacher preparation program pathway is easy. Once you've completed your program, see your college certification officer. He/she will enter a recommendation for certification through TEACH Online Services. In addition, you must create your own account by registering through TEACH Online Services, and must submit your online application using the information in the Student Application Information Sheet that your certification officer will provide.
Q: I'm in a hurry to get my certification and find a job. Will I get certified faster if I apply now online using the Individual Evaluation pathway and then apply later through my college using the Approved Teacher Preparation Program pathway?
A: No. This approach will require extra review and communication time for your application to be correctly sorted for appropriate certificate processing and issuance. Instead, speak with your college certification officer before you take any application steps.
Q: How fast will my "college recommended" application be processed?
A: That depends on the type of certificate you are applying for: Initial or Professional.
If you are completing a NYS teacher preparation program leading to an Initial certificate, and apply through TEACH Online Services, your application can be processed and your certificate issued in as little as one or two business days after we receive your college's recommendation. Of course, this assumes that all other requirements have been met and recorded in your TEACH account, such as passing scores on the certification exams and a fingerprint clearance, and that your application fee has been paid online.
If you are completing a NYS teacher preparation program leading to a Professional or Permanent certificate, and apply through TEACH Online Services, your application can be reviewed and your certificate issued in two to four weeks. Of course, this assumes that all other requirements have been met and recorded in your TEACH account, such as satisfaction of the mentoring requirement and/or the required professional teaching experience, and that your application fee has been paid online. The longer processing time for a Professional or Permanent certificate is due to the fact that a Certification Specialist must evaluate these records.
Q: I am applying for certification. Why aren't all the requirements checked off in the pathway section?
A: The pathway section of the online application shows check marks by the requirements you have met. Some requirements, such as experience or college recommendation, may not be checked off. This is because a certification specialist must review your experience and manually check off that requirement. The college recommendation requirement will not be checked off until your institution has entered its recommendation. You may still complete the application process, even if all of the requirements are not yet checked off.
Q: May I apply for certification even though my fingerprints have not yet cleared?
A: Yes. Once your fingerprints are cleared, TEACH automatically updates your record to show that this requirement has been met.
Q: Do I need to pass all the NYSTCEs (New York State Teacher Certification Exams) to get certified?
A: Yes. You will need to pass the LAST (Liberal Arts and Science Test), the elementary or secondary version of the ATS-W (Assessment of Teaching Skills), and the CST in your area of certification.
Q: Do I need to be fingerprinted?
A: Yes. All applicants for any new teaching certificate must undergo fingerprint supported criminal history background check. New York State law requires the State Education Department to conduct a background check for all school personnel, including applicants for certification. Most school districts are now requiring the completion of a criminal background check before a student teaching placement starts. SCOPE will hold a fingerprint session each semester at the Garden City Campus. Please contact the School of Education main office for the dates each semester.
Preparation
Q: When should I take the tests?
A: A candidate may attempt any of the required tests at any time. Here are some guidelines:
- Liberal Arts and Sciences Test
Sophomore or junior year, after completion of most basic liberal arts and sciences course work.
- Assessment of Teaching Skills – Written
Upon completion of Pedagogy coursework and field experience; completion of some student teaching is also recommended.
- Content Specialty Test
May be completed in the junior year to help a candidate determine if additional coursework in the area of concentration is needed.
- Assessment of Teaching Skills – Performance
Recommended only after two or more years of classroom experience. Candidates should have knowledge of teaching skills, and the ability to apply those skills effectively within the classroom. It is advisable to allow time to make practice tapes, have them reviewed by peers, and improve teaching skills, if necessary. Candidates holding a Provisional New York State certificate should submit the videotape no later than six months before their Provisional certificate expires to allow for timely scoring.
- Language Proficiency Assessments
At any time, once the candidate has achieved fluency in the language.
Q: How should I prepare for the tests?
A: Preparation Guides are available for all NYSTCE tests. The guides contain complete content outlines for tests, sample test questions, and general advice on how to prepare for the tests. These guides are available free of charge at the NYSTCE Web site: www.nystce.nesinc.com.
Registration and Fees
Q: How do I register for the teacher certification exams?
A:
- Register by Mail: The registration bulletin is available through most New York State institutions of higher education with approved teacher education programs. A copy of the registration bulletin is available at the following location at Adelphi: Harvey Hall Room 130, Certification Office Harvey Hall Room 123, Woodruff Hall, or the Manhattan Center (NYC). A copy may also be obtained online from National Evaluation Systems or the Office of Teaching Initiatives.
- Register Online (www.nystce.nesinc.com)
Q: How much do the NYSTCEs cost?
A:
| LAST |
$88 |
| ATS-W |
$88 |
| CST |
$88 |
| ATS-P |
$145 |
| BEA |
$88 |
| ATAS |
$35 |
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| Additional fees will apply for late or emergency registration. |
Q: If I apply for the NYSTCEs, do I also have to apply seperately for certification?
A: Yes. Although test scores are automatically reported to the Office of Teaching Initiatives, a separate application for a certificate, with the supporting credentials, must also be filed with the Certification Office at Adelphi and the Office of Teaching Initiatives.
Test Scores
Q: What is a passing score on these tests?
A:
| LAST |
220 |
| ATS-W |
220 |
| CST |
220 |
| ATS-P |
P (Pass) |
| BEA |
220 |
| ATAS |
220 |
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| Note: Each test is scored separately, and once the qualifying score has been achieved, it satisfies that portion of the requirement. |
Q: I lost a score report—where can I get another copy?
A: Duplicate copies of score reports are available from National Evaluation Systems, Inc. (NES) up to three years after the respective score report mailing date. To request a duplicate, complete the "Additional Score Report Request Form" from the test Registration Bulletin and follow the directions on the form. You may also order a duplicate copy online. The fee for this service is $15 payable by cashier's check or money order to NES
Q: If I don't pass a test on the first try, how often may I retake it?
A: There is no restriction on the number of times a test may be taken.
Q: Can I just retake the parts of a test I don't do well on?
A: No. For each attempt, a candidate must take a test in its entirety, since passing standards are set on the total test rather than on sub area or partial scores. Candidates receive sub area information on the score report, but this is provided only to help the candidate prepare effectively if the test must be taken again.
Q: How are test scores reported to the State Education Department?
A: Test scores are automatically reported by Social Security number to the Office of Teaching Initiatives after each test administration even if a candidate has not yet made a formal application for a certificate.
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Contact
For additional information, please contact:
Janet Drummond
Director of Certification and Student Records
Harvey Hall, Room 123
p - 516.877.4081
e - drummond@adelphi.edu
This page last modified on November 14, 2007.
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