0204heppca3

THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234

TO:	The Honorable the Members of the Board of Regents
FROM:	Johanna Duncan-Poitier
COMMITTEE:	Higher Education and Professional Practice
TITLE OF ITEM:	Proposed Amendments to the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Relating to Individual Evaluation and Other Requirements for Certification in the Classroom Teaching Service
DATE OF SUBMISSION:	January 28, 2004
PROPOSED HANDLING:	Approval (Consent Agenda)
RATIONALE FOR ITEM:	To Implement Policy
STRATEGIC GOAL:	Goal 3
AUTHORIZATION(S):

SUMMARY:

Attached for confirmation of emergency action are proposed amendments to sections 80-3.3, 80-4.3, and 80-4.4 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, and the addition of a new section 80-3.7 to such regulations, relating to individual evaluation and other requirements for teacher certification. Supporting materials for the proposed amendments are available upon request from the Secretary to the Board of Regents.

At the May 2002 meeting of the Board of Regents, the Board endorsed a series of initiatives to address the critical shortage of certified teachers available to provide instruction in the State’s public schools. This included the need to extend the existing individual evaluation option (also referred to as transcript evaluation) for the first level certificate beyond its targeted expiration in February 2004. Consistent with the Board’s direction, the proposed amendments would specifically establish important new standards for the individual evaluation of candidates who have graduated from college with a baccalaureate or master’s degree, but who have not completed a traditional teacher education program. Candidates for initial certification through individual evaluation will enter the classroom with the essential competencies necessary to provide quality instruction to students.

The Board of Regents discussed a proposal to amend the above cited sections of the Commissioner’s regulations at its meeting in October 2003. After requesting staff to provide additional information in response to a series of specific inquiries and receiving extensive comments from the Professional Standards and Practices Board for Teaching, the Commissioner’s Advisory Council on Higher Education, State University of New York Deans and Directors, members of the New York State Association of Teacher Educators and the New York Association of Colleges of Teacher Education as well as numerous colleges and other interested parties, the Board discussed a revised version of the original proposal at its November 2003 meeting. Significantly, the proposed regulations, which were adopted by the Board as an emergency action at its December 2003 meeting and are now before the Board for confirmation of that action, contain nine specific amendments requested by the Board and critical stakeholders that are all designed to strengthen and improve the preparation of candidates seeking certification through individual evaluation. Likewise, these changes further align individual evaluation requirements with the standards required for the registration of teacher education programs at institutions of higher education. It is also noteworthy that candidates acquiring an initial certificate through individual evaluation must ultimately meet the same education and experience standards and requirements as all teaching candidates in order to acquire a professional certificate (formerly known as permanent certification).

A careful review of the Department’s records indicates that, historically, approximately 40 percent of the new classroom teachers certified in New York State each year have been certified through the Department’s evaluation of individual candidate’s education and experience rather than completion of a traditional teaching program (see the attached chart). The Department’s current authority to conduct such individual evaluations of teacher candidate credentials for a first level certificate is scheduled to expire on February 1, 2004. The proposed regulations are, therefore, critical to facilitate the Department’s continuing ability to certify a sufficient number of properly qualified candidates to fill vacant teaching positions in the State's public schools.

The proposed amendments will also streamline examination and education requirements for the issuance of additional certificates to individuals already holding a teaching certificate, establish new coursework requirements for the extension and annotation of teaching certificates and eliminate certain unnecessary certification requirements. These amendments are designed to encourage and facilitate the continuous expansion of the instructional capabilities of certified teachers to better address subject matter shortage areas. The proposed amendments will apply to candidates seeking certification in a classroom teaching title after February 1, 2004.

The recommended action was adopted as an emergency measure at the December 2003 meeting of the Board of Regents and is now being proposed for adoption as a permanent rule. A Notice of Proposed Rule Making concerning the proposed amendments was originally published in the State Register on September 17, 2003. A Notice of Emergency Adoption and Revised Rule Making was published in the State Register on December 31, 2003.

I recommend that the Board of Regents take the following action:

VOTED: that subdivision (a) of section 80-3.3, paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of section 80-3.3, paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of section 80-3.3, subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of section 80-3.3, subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of section 80-3.3, subparagraph (i) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of section 80-4.3, subdivision (b) of section 80-4.3, subdivision (c) of section 80-4.3, subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of section 80-4.3, subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) of section 80-4.3, subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (f) of section 80-4.3, and subdivision (b) of section 80-4.4 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education be amended; that clauses (c) and (d) of subparagraph (i) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of section 80-3.3 and clauses (c) and (d) of subparagraph (i) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of section 80-3.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education be repealed; and that section 80-3.7 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education be added, as submitted, effective March 11, 2004.

Attachments

AMENDMENT TO THE REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION

Pursuant to sections 207, 305, 3004, and 3006 of the Education Law.

1. Subdivision (a) of section 80-3.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended, effective March 11, 2004, as follows:

(a) General requirements.

(1) . . .

(2) . . .

[(3) . . . ]

(3) Satisfaction of education requirements.

(i) A candidate for the initial certificate in a title in the classroom teaching service may meet the education requirements for such certificate through completion of a program registered pursuant to section 52.21 of this Title which leads to the certificate sought or, for candidates specified in subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph, through equivalent study as determined by individual evaluation in accordance with the requirements of section 80-3.7 of this Subpart.

(ii) A candidate for the professional certificate in a specific career and technical subject within the field of agriculture, business and marketing, family and consumer sciences, health, a technical area, or a trade (grades 7 through 12) may meet the education requirements for such certificate through completion of a program registered pursuant to section 52.21 of this Title which leads to the certificate sought or, for candidates specified in subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph, through equivalent study as determined by individual evaluation in accordance with the requirements of section 80-3.7 of this Subpart.

(iii) The option to complete the education requirements for the certificates specified in paragraph (i) and (ii) of this paragraph through equivalent study, as determined by individual evaluation in accordance with the requirements of section 80-3.7 of this Part, shall only be available for candidates who apply for a certificate in childhood education by February 1, 2007 and for candidates who apply for any other certificate in the classroom teaching service by February 1, 2009, and who upon application qualify for such certificate.

(4) A candidate seeking certification to teach a specific career and technical subject requiring Federal or State licensure and/or registration to legally perform that service shall hold such valid Federal or State licensure and/or registration. A candidate seeking certification to teach practical nursing shall hold a valid license and registration in New York State as a registered professional nurse.

2. Paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of section 80-3.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended, effective March 11, 2004, as follows:

(1) Education. The candidate shall meet the education requirement by meeting the requirements in one or more of the following subparagraphs:

(i) The candidate shall hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education or from an institution authorized by the Regents to confer degrees and whose programs are registered by the department, and shall satisfactorily complete a program registered pursuant to section 52.21 of this Title, which leads to the certificate sought, or its equivalent.

(ii) . . .

[(iii) . . .]

[(iv) . . . ]

3. Paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of section 80-3.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended, effective March 11, 2004, as follows:

(2) Examination. The candidate shall meet the examination requirement by meeting the requirements in one of the following subparagraphs:

(i) The candidate shall submit evidence of having achieved a satisfactory level of performance on the New York State Teacher Certification Examination liberal arts and sciences test, written assessment of teaching skills, and content specialty test(s) in the area of the certificate, except [candidates] that a candidate seeking an initial certificate in the title of Speech and Language Disabilities (all grades) shall not be required to achieve a satisfactory level of performance on [a] the content specialty test.

(ii) Examination requirement for an additional certificate. A candidate who has one or more provisional certificates, permanent certificates, initial certificates, or professional certificates in a title in the classroom teaching service other than a title in a specific career and technical subject (grades 7 through 12), may meet the examination requirements for an initial certificate, by having achieved a satisfactory level of performance on the New York State Teacher Certification Examination content specialty test(s) in the area of the certificate for which application is made, if required for that initial certificate pursuant to subparagraph (i) of this paragraph.

4. Clauses (c) and (d) of subparagraph (i) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of section 80-3.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education are repealed, effective March 11, 2004.

5. Subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of section 80-3.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended, effective March 11, 2004, as follows:

(ii) Examination. The candidate shall meet the examination requirement by meeting the requirements in one of the following clauses:

(a) The candidate shall submit evidence of having achieved a satisfactory level of performance on the New York State Teacher Certification Examination written assessment of teaching skills and content specialty test(s) in the area of the certificate.

(b) Examination requirement for an additional certificate. A candidate who has one or more provisional certificates, permanent certificates, initial certificates, or professional certificates in a title in the classroom teaching service may meet the examination requirements for an initial certificate for a certificate title prescribed under this option, by having achieved a satisfactory level of performance on the New York State Teacher Certification Examination content specialty test(s) in the area of the certificate for which application is made, if required for the initial certificate pursuant to clause (a) of this subparagraph.

6. Clauses (c) and (d) of subparagraph (i) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of section 80-3.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education are repealed, effective March 11, 2004.

7. Subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of section 80-3.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended, effective March 11, 2004, as follows:

(ii) Examination. The candidate shall meet the examination requirement by meeting the requirements in one of the following clauses:

(a) The candidate shall submit evidence of having achieved a satisfactory level of performance on the New York State Teacher Certification Examination communication and quantitative skills test, written assessment of teaching skills, and content specialty test(s) in the area of the certificate.

8. Section 80-3.7 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is added, effective March 11, 2004, as follows:

80-3.7 Satisfaction of education requirements through individual evaluation. This section prescribes requirements for meeting the education requirements for classroom teaching certificates through individual evaluation. This option for meeting education requirements shall only be available for candidates who apply for a certificate in childhood education by February 1, 2007 and for candidates who apply for any other certificate in the classroom teaching service by February 1, 2009, and who upon application qualify for such certificate. The candidate must have achieved a 2.5 cumulative grade point average or its equivalent in the program or programs leading to any degree used to meet the requirements for a certificate under this section. In addition, a candidate must have achieved at least a C or its equivalent in any undergraduate level course and at least a B- or its equivalent in any graduate level course in order for the semester hours associated with that course to be credited toward meeting the content core or pedagogical core semester hour requirements for a certificate under this section. All other requirements for the certificate, including but not limited to, examination and/or experience requirements, as prescribed in this Part, must also be met.

(a) Satisfaction of education requirements through individual evaluation for initial certificates in all titles in classroom teaching service, except in specific career and technical subjects within the field of agriculture, business and marketing, family and consumer sciences, health, a technical area, or a trade (grades 7 through 12).

(1) A candidate seeking to fulfill the education requirement for an initial certificate through individual evaluation of education requirements shall meet the general requirements prescribed in paragraph (2) of this subdivision, and the additional requirements, if any, prescribed in paragraph (3) of this subdivision for the certificate title for which application is made. The following initial certificates have no additional requirements prescribed in paragraph (3) of this subdivision: dance (all grades), health education (all grades), music (all grades), physical education (all grades), theater (all grades), visual arts (all grades), educational technology specialist (all grades), agriculture (all grades), family and consumer sciences (all grades), business and marketing (all grades), and technology education (all grades).

(2) General requirements. All candidates seeking to fulfill the education requirement for the initial certificate through individual evaluation of education requirements shall meet the general requirements prescribed in this paragraph, unless the additional requirements for the certificate title sought in paragraph (3) of this subdivision explicitly substitute a different requirement.

(i) Degree completion. The candidate shall possess a baccalaureate from a regionally or nationally accredited institution of higher education or from an institution authorized by the Regents to confer degrees and whose programs are registered by the department.

(ii) The candidate shall complete study in child abuse identification and school violence prevention and intervention, as prescribed in section 80-1.4 of this Part.

(iii) General education core in the liberal arts and sciences. The candidate shall complete 30 semester hours of coursework that includes study in each of the following subjects: artistic expression, communication, information retrieval, concepts in history and social sciences, humanities, a language other than English, scientific and mathematical processes, and written analysis and expression, except as otherwise provided in this subparagraph. A candidate who holds one or more provisional certificates, permanent certificates, initial certificates, or professional certificates in a title in the classroom teaching service, other than a title in a specific career and technical subject (grades 7-12), shall not be required to demonstrate completion of the general education core in the liberal arts and sciences, as prescribed in this subparagraph, for an additional initial certificate in the classroom teaching service sought.

(iv) Content core. The candidate shall complete 30 semesters hours of coursework in the subject area of the certificate title, which may include no more than six of the 30 semester hours in a cognate, meaning a related field as determined by the department.

(v) Pedagogical core. The candidate shall complete pedagogical coursework as prescribed in clause (a) of this subparagraph and teaching experience as prescribed in clause (b) of this subparagraph, provided that candidates identified in this subparagraph shall not be required to demonstrate completion of the pedagogical core requirements. A candidate who holds one or more provisional certificates, permanent certificates, initial certificates, or professional certificates in a title in the classroom teaching service, other than a title in a specific career and technical subject (grades 7-12), shall not be required to demonstrate completion of the pedagogical core requirements for an additional initial certificate in the classroom teaching service sought, except for such candidates who are seeking an additional initial certificate in one or more of the following titles: early childhood education, childhood education, generalist in middle childhood education (grades 5-9), specialist in middle childhood education (grades 5-9), English to speakers of other languages (all grades), literacy (birth-grade 6) and literacy (grade 5-12), students with disabilities (birth-grade 2), students with disabilities (grades 1-6), students with disabilities (grades 5-9), students with disabilities (grades 7-12), deaf and hard of hearing (all grades), blind or visually impaired (all grades), and speech and language disabilities (all grades).

(a) Coursework. The candidate shall compete 18 semester hours of coursework that includes study in each of the following subjects:

(1) human development and learning, including but not limited to the impact of culture, heritage, socioeconomic level and factors in the home, school and community that may affect a student’s readiness to learn;

(2) teaching students with disabilities and special health-care needs within the general education classroom, including assistive technology;

(3) teaching literacy skills, three semester hours;

(4) curriculum, instruction, and assessment, including instructional technology; and

(5) foundations of education (historical, philosophical, sociological and/or legal).

(b) Teaching experience. The candidate shall satisfactorily complete 40 school days in a college-supervised student teaching experience or as an employed teacher. For a candidate applying for a first certificate, such experience must be in a school at one or more of the grade levels within the range of grades covered by the certificate and must be in the subject area of the certificate title sought by the candidate. For other candidates, such experience must be in a school offering instruction in any grade, pre-kindergarten through grade 12. For experience as an employed teacher, the candidate shall submit a statement verifying the period of employment from the employing school district administrator in the case of a public school and the appropriate school administrator in the case of a nonpublic school.

(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 if so prescribed for that certificate title, in addition to the general requirements prescribed in paragraph (2) of this subdivision.

(i) Early childhood education, childhood education, and generalist in middle childhood education.

(a) Content core. The content core prescribed in subparagraph (2)(iv) of this subdivision shall consist of 30 semester hours of coursework in one or more of the liberal arts and sciences, in addition to the 30 semester hours of coursework prescribed in the general education core in the liberal arts and sciences if required. The candidate shall complete six semester hours in mathematics, six semester hours in science, and six semester hours in social studies within the content core and/or the general education core in the liberal arts and sciences.

(b) Pedagogical core. Within the pedagogical core prescribed in subparagraph (2)(v) of this subdivision, the candidate shall complete six semester hours of coursework that is appropriate to the student developmental level of the certificate title. The candidate shall also complete three additional semester hours in teaching literacy skills.

(ii) Specialist in middle childhood education (5-9) and adolescence education

(7-12).

(a) Content core. The content core prescribed in subparagraph (2)(iv) of this subdivision shall consist of 30 semester hours of coursework in the subject area of the certificate title sought (English, a language other than English, biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, mathematics, or social studies) in addition to the 30 semester hours of coursework prescribed in the general education core in the liberal arts and sciences. For social studies (5-9) and social studies (7-12), within the 30 semester hour content core, the candidate shall complete coursework in economics and government, and a total of 21 semester hours of coursework that includes study in United States history, world history, and geography.

(iii) English to speakers of other languages.

(a) Content core. The content core prescribed in subparagraph (2)(iv) of this subdivision shall consist of 30 semester hours of coursework in one or more of the liberal arts and sciences and shall include study in linguistics and English grammar, in addition to the 30 semester hours of coursework prescribed in the general education core in the liberal arts and sciences if required. Study in the general education core and the content core shall include 12 semester hours in a language other than English.

(b) Pedagogical core. Within the pedagogical core prescribed in subparagraph (2)(v) of this subdivision, the candidate shall complete a total of six semester hours of coursework that includes study in methods of second-language teaching at the elementary and secondary levels. The candidate shall also complete three additional semester hours in teaching literacy skills.

(iv) Literacy (birth-grade 6) and literacy (grades 5-12).

(a) Content core. The content core prescribed in subparagraph (2)(iv) of this subdivision shall consist of at least 30 semester hours of coursework that meets the content core requirements for an initial certificate in any certificate title in the classroom teaching service, except titles in specific career and technical subjects.

(b) Pedagogical core. In lieu of meeting the pedagogical core requirements in subparagraph (2)(v) of this subdivision, the candidate shall complete pedagogical coursework prescribed in subclause (1) of this clause and the teaching experience prescribed in subclause (2) of this clause.

(1) Coursework. The candidate shall compete 24 semester hours of coursework, including at least 12 semester hours of graduate coursework, that includes study in each of the following subjects:

(i) human development and learning, including but not limited to the impact of culture, heritage, socioeconomic level and factors in the home and community that may affect a student’s readiness to learn;

(ii) teaching students with disabilities and special health care needs within the general education classroom, including assistive technology;

(iii) foundations of education (historical, philosophical, sociological and/or legal);

(iv) literacy instruction and assessment, including instructional technology, six semester hours;

(v) literacy diagnosis and remediation;

(vi) literacy in content areas;

(vii) child or adolescent literature.

(2) Teaching experience. The candidate shall satisfactorily complete 40 school days in a college-supervised student teaching experience or as an employed teacher. In addition, the candidate shall satisfactorily complete a college-supervised practicum, as defined in section 52.21(b)(2) of this Title, of 50 clock hours in teaching literacy to students, at developmental levels appropriate to the certificate sought. For candidates who apply for both certificate titles, literacy (birth-grade 6) and literacy (grades 5-12), the 50-clock hour practicum shall include 25 clock hours of teaching students (birth-grade 6) and 25 clock hours of teaching students (grades 5-12).

(v) Students with disabilities (birth-grade 2).

(a) Content core. The content core prescribed in subparagraph (2)(iv) of this subdivision shall consist of 30 semester hours of coursework in one or more of the liberal arts and sciences, in addition to the 30 semester hours of coursework prescribed in the general education core in the liberal arts and sciences if required. The candidate shall complete six semester hours in mathematics, six semester hours in science, and six semester hours in social studies within such content core and/or the general education core in the liberal arts and sciences.

(b) Pedagogical core. Within the pedagogical core prescribed in subparagraph (2)(v) of this subdivision, the candidate shall complete six semester hours of coursework appropriate to the student developmental level of the certificate. In addition to such prescribed pedagogical core, the candidate shall complete three semester hours in teaching literacy skills and twelve semester hours of coursework that includes study in each of the following subjects:

(1) foundations of special education;

(2) assessment, diagnosis, and evaluation of students with disabilities, including collaboration with caregivers and others, to promote academic achievement and independence; and

(3) curriculum, instruction and managing learning environments for students with disabilities, including instructional and assistive technology.

(vi) Students with disabilities (grades 1-6).

(a) Content core. The content core prescribed in subparagraph (2)(iv) of this subdivision shall consist of 30 semester hours of coursework in one or more of the liberal arts and sciences, in addition to the 30 semester hours of coursework prescribed in the general education core in the liberal arts and sciences if required. The candidate shall complete six semester hours in mathematics, six semester hours in science, and six semester hours in social studies within such content core and/or the general education core in the liberal arts and sciences.

(b) Pedagogical core. Within the pedagogical core prescribed in subparagraph (2)(v) of this subdivision, the candidate shall complete six semester hours of coursework appropriate to the developmental level of the certificate. In addition to such prescribed pedagogical core, the candidate shall complete three semester hours in teaching literacy skills and twelve semester hours of coursework that includes study in each of the following subjects:

(1) foundations of special education;

(2) assessment, diagnosis and evaluation of students with disabilities, including collaboration with caregivers and others, to promote academic achievement and independence; and

(3) curriculum, instruction and managing environments for students with disabilities, including instructional and assistive technology.

(vii) Students with disabilities (grades 5-9).

(a) Content core.

(1) For generalist (grades 5-9) certificates, the content core prescribed in subparagraph (2)(iv) of this subdivision shall consist of 30 semester hours of coursework in one or more of the liberal arts and sciences, in addition to the 30 semester hours of coursework prescribed in the general education core in the liberal arts and sciences if required. The candidate shall complete six semester hours in mathematics, six semester hours in science, and six semester hours in social studies within such content core and/or the general education core in the liberal arts and sciences.

(2) For specialist (grades 5-9) certificates, the content core prescribed in subparagraph (2)(iv) of this subdivision shall consist of 30 semester hours of coursework in the subject area of the certificate sought (English, a language other than English, biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, mathematics, or social studies), in addition to the 30 semester hours of coursework prescribed in the general education core in the liberal arts and sciences if required. For social studies (5-9), within the 30 semester hour content core, the candidate shall complete coursework in economics and government, and a total of 21 semester hours of coursework that includes study in United States history, world history, and geography.

(b) Pedagogical core. Within the pedagogical core prescribed in subparagraph (2)(v) of this subdivision, the candidate shall complete six semester hours of coursework appropriate to the student developmental level of the certificate sought. In addition to such prescribed pedagogical core, the candidate shall complete three semester hours in teaching literacy skills and twelve semester hours of coursework that includes study in each of the following subjects:

(1) foundations of special education;

(2) assessment, diagnosis and evaluation of students with disabilities, including collaboration with caregivers and others, to promote academic achievement and independence; and

(3) curriculum, instruction and managing learning environments for students with disabilities, including instructional and assistive technology.

(viii) Students with disabilities (grades 7-12).

(a) Content core. The content core prescribed in subparagraph (2)(iv) of this subdivision shall consist of 30 semester hours of coursework in the subject of the certificate sought (English, a language other than English, biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, mathematics or social studies) in addition to the 30 semester hours of coursework prescribed in the general education core in the liberal arts and sciences if required. For social studies (7-12), within the 30 semester hour content core, the candidate shall complete coursework in economics and government, and a total of 21 semester hours of coursework that includes study in United States history, world history, and geography.

(b) Pedagogical core. Within the pedagogical core prescribed in subparagraph (2)(v) of this subdivision, the candidate shall complete six semester hours of coursework appropriate to the student developmental level of the certificate sought. In addition to such prescribed pedagogical core, the candidate shall complete three semester hours in teaching literacy skills and twelve semester hours of coursework that includes study in each of the following subjects:

(1) foundations of special education;

(2) assessment, diagnosis and evaluation of students with disabilities, including caregivers and others, to promote academic achievement and independence; and

(3) curriculum, instruction and managing learning environments for students with disabilities, including instructional and assistive technologies and transition preparation.

(ix) Deaf and hard of hearing (all grades).

(b) Pedagogical core. In addition to the pedagogical core prescribed in subparagraph (2)(v) of this subdivision, the candidate shall complete three semester hours in teaching literacy skills and twelve semester hours of coursework that includes study in each of the following subjects:

(1) foundations of special education;

(2) assessment, diagnosis and evaluation of students who are deaf or hard of hearing, including collaboration with caregivers and others, to promote academic achievement and independence;

(3) curriculum, instruction and managing learning environments for students who are deaf or hard of hearing, including the use of instructional and assistive technology; and

(4) using and teaching American Sign Language and other strategies for communicating in the deaf culture.

(x) Blind or visually impaired (all grades).

(1) foundations of special education;

(2) assessment, diagnosis and evaluation of students who are blind or visually impaired, including collaboration with caregivers and others, to promote academic achievement and independence;

(3) curriculum, instruction and managing learning environments for students who are blind or visually impaired, including instructional and assistive technology; and

(4) reading and teaching Braille.

(xi) Speech and language disabilities (all grades).

(a) Content core. The content core prescribed in subparagraph (2)(iv) of this subdivision shall consist of 30 semester hours of coursework in the subject of speech and language disorders.

(b) Pedagogical core.

(1) In addition to the pedagogical core coursework prescribed in clause (2)(v)(a) of this subdivision, the candidate shall complete three semester hours in teaching literacy skills and six semester hours that includes study in each of the following subjects:

(i) foundations of special education and

(ii) assisting students with speech and language disabilities and their teachers with the teaching and learning of the general curriculum.

(2) Practicum. In lieu of the pedagogical core teaching experience prescribed in clause (2)(v)(b) of this subdivision, the candidate shall satisfactorily complete a college-supervised practicum, as defined in section 52.21(b)(1) of this Title, of 150 clock hours that includes experiences with students with speech and language disabilities in early childhood (birth-grade 2), childhood (grades 1-6), middle childhood (grades 5-9), and adolescence (grades 7-12). The practicum shall include experiences in elementary and/or secondary schools.

(xii) Library media specialist (all grades).

(a) Content core. The content core prescribed in subparagraph (2)(iv) of this subdivision shall consist of 30 semester hours of graduate study in library science, including instructional and assistive technology.

(b) Pedagogical core. In lieu of meeting the pedagogical core requirements in subparagraph (2)(v) of this subdivision, the candidate shall complete pedagogical coursework prescribed in subclause (1) of this clause and the practicum prescribed in subclause (2) of this clause.

(1) Coursework. The candidate shall compete 21 semester hours of coursework that includes study in each of the following subjects:

(ii) foundations of education (historical, philosophical, sociological and/or legal);

(iii) enhancing the learning of students with disabilities;

(iv) increasing the literacy skills of all students, six semester hours; and

(v) planning and delivering school library and media services.

(2) Practicum. The candidate shall satisfactorily complete a college-supervised practicum, as defined in section 52.21(b)(1) of this Title, providing library services, of 20 school days in an elementary school and 20 school days in a secondary school.

(b) Satisfaction of education requirements through individual evaluation for initial certificates in a specific career and technical subject within the field of agriculture, business and marketing, family and consumer sciences, health, a technical area, or a trade (grades 7 through 12).

(1) A candidate seeking to fulfill the education requirement for an initial certificate through individual evaluation of education requirements shall meet the requirements prescribed in paragraphs (2) or (3) of this subdivision.

(2) Option A. For holders of an associate or higher degree.

(i) Degree completion. The candidate shall possess an associate or higher degree in the subject of the certificate title from a regionally or nationally accredited institution of higher education or from an institution of higher education authorized by the Regents to confer degrees and whose programs are registered by the department.

(ii) The candidate shall complete study in child abuse identification and school violence prevention and intervention, as prescribed in section 80-1.4 of this Part.

(iii) Content core. The candidate shall complete 30 semesters hours in the subject area of the certificate title, which may include no more than six of the 30 semester hours in a cognate, meaning a related field as determined by the department.

(iv) Pedagogical core. The candidate shall complete pedagogical coursework as prescribed in clause (a) of this subparagraph and teaching experience as prescribed in clause (b) of this subparagraph, except as otherwise provided in this subparagraph. A candidate who holds one or more provisional certificates, permanent certificates, initial certificates, or professional certificates in a title in the classroom teaching service shall not be required to demonstrate completion of the pedagogical core requirements prescribed in this subparagraph for an additional initial certificate in a specific career and technical subject.

(a) Coursework. The candidate shall compete nine semester hours of coursework that includes study in each of the following subjects:

(1) human development and learning, including but not limited to the impact of culture, heritage, socioeconomic level and factors in the home and community that may affect a student’s readiness to learn;

(2) teaching students with disabilities and special health-care needs within the general education classroom, including assistive technology; and

(3) curriculum, instruction, and assessment, including instructional technology.

(b) Teaching experience. The candidate shall satisfactorily complete 40 school days in a college-supervised student teaching experience or as an employed teacher. Such experience must be in a school at one or more of the grade levels within the range of grades covered by the certificate sought and related to the subject area of the certificate sought. For experience as an employed teacher, the candidate shall submit a statement verifying the period of employment from the employing school district administrator in the case of a public school and the appropriate school administrator in the case of a nonpublic school.

(3) Option B. For holders of a high school diploma or its equivalent but no college degree. This option shall not be available in specific family and consumer sciences, business and marketing, and technical subject titles.

(i) The candidate shall possess a high school diploma or its equivalent.

(ii) The candidates shall complete study in child abuse identification and school violence prevention and intervention, as prescribed in section 80-1.4 of this Part.

(iii) Pedagogical core. The candidate shall complete the coursework, as prescribed in clause (a) of this subparagraph, and teaching experience, as prescribed in clause (b) of this subparagraph, except as otherwise provided in this subparagraph. A candidate who holds one or more provisional certificates, permanent certificates, initial certificates, or professional certificates in a title in the classroom teaching service shall not be required to demonstrate completion of the pedagogical core requirements prescribed in this subparagraph for an additional initial certificate in a specific career and technical subject.

(a) Coursework. The candidate shall complete twelve semester hours of coursework that includes study in each of the following subjects:

(2) teaching students with disabilities and special health-care needs within the general education classroom, including assistive technology;

(3) curriculum, instruction, and assessment, including instructional technology; and

(4) English language arts or communication skills.

(c) Satisfaction of education requirements through individual evaluation for professional certificates in a specific career and technical subject within the field of agriculture, business and marketing, family and consumer sciences, health, a technical area or a trade (grades 7 through 12).

(1) A candidate seeking to fulfill the education requirement for a professional certificate through individual evaluation of education requirements shall meet the requirements prescribed in paragraphs (2) or (3) of this subdivision.

(2) Option A. For candidates who completed the Option A track for the initial certificate.

(i) Degree completion. The candidate shall possess an associate or higher degree in the subject of the certificate title from a regionally or nationally accredited institution of higher education or from an institution authorized by the Regents to confer degrees and whose programs are registered by the department.

(ii) The candidate shall complete 30 semester hours of coursework in addition to that required for the initial certificate under Option A. Such coursework shall include study in the liberal arts and sciences, career and technical education, and a pedagogical core, including each of the following areas of pedagogy:

(a) teaching literacy skills, three semester hours; and

(b) foundations of education (historical, philosophical, sociological and/or legal).

(3) Option B. For individuals who completed the Option B track for the initial certificate. This option shall not be available in specific family and consumer science, business and marketing, and technical subject titles. The candidate shall complete 30 semester hours of coursework in addition to that required for the initial certificate under Option B. Such coursework shall include study in the liberal arts and sciences, career and technical education, and a pedagogical core, including each of the following areas of pedagogy:

(a) teaching literacy skills, three semester hours; and

(b) foundations of education (historical, philosophical, sociological and/or legal).

9. Subparagraph (i) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of section 80-4.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended, effective March 11, 2004, as follows:

(i) Education.

(a) For candidates who are requesting the extension of a certificate in a title in the classroom teaching service other than school media specialist (library), library media specialist, school media specialist (educational communications), or educational technology specialist; the candidate shall satisfactorily complete a program registered pursuant to section 52.21(b)(4)(i) of this Title, or its equivalent consisting of a total of 12 semester hours of coursework. For such equivalent coursework, the candidate must have achieved at least a C or its equivalent in any undergraduate level course and at least a B- or its equivalent in any graduate level course in order for the semester hours associated with the course to be credited toward meeting the semester hour requirement for the extension sought. Such equivalent coursework shall include study in each of the following subjects:

(1) theories of bilingual education and multicultural perspectives;

(2) sociolinguistics and psycholinguistics; and

(3) methods of teaching English language arts and native language arts to bilingual English language learners using the native language and English.

(4) methods of teaching other content to bilingual English language learners using the native language and English.

(b) For candidates who are requesting the extension of a certificate in school media specialist (library), library media specialist, school media specialist (educational communications), or educational technology specialist, the candidate shall satisfactorily complete a program registered pursuant to section 52.21(b)(4)(ii) of this Title, or its equivalent consisting of a total of six semester hours of coursework. For such equivalent coursework, the candidate must have achieved at least a C or its equivalent in any undergraduate level course and at least a B- or its equivalent in any graduate level course in order for the semester hours associated with the course to be credited toward meeting the semester hour requirement for the extension sought. Such equivalent coursework shall include study in each of the following subjects:

(1) theories of bilingual education and multicultural perspectives; and

(2) methods of providing library media services or educational technology services, as appropriate to the teaching certificate, to English language learners using native language and English.

10. Subdivision (b) of section 80-4.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended, effective March 11, 2004, as follows:

(b) Requirements for the extension to teach a subject in [middle childhood education (grades 5-6)] grades 5-6. The candidate shall meet the requirements in each of the following paragraphs:

(1) . . .

(2) The candidate shall satisfactorily complete a program registered pursuant to section 52.21(b)(4)(iii) of this Title, or its equivalent consisting of six semester hours of coursework in middle childhood education which shall include study in early adolescent development and instructional strategies in middle childhood education. For such equivalent coursework, the candidate must have achieved at least a C or its equivalent in any undergraduate level course and a B- or its equivalent in any graduate level course in order for the semester hours associated with that course to be credited toward meeting this semester hour requirement for the extension sought.

11. Subdivision (c) of section 80-4.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended, effective March 11, 2004, as follows:

(1) . . .

(2) The candidate shall satisfactorily complete a program registered pursuant to section 52.21(b)(4)(iv) of this Title, or its equivalent consisting of 30 semester hours in coursework in the subject to be taught and six semester hours of coursework in middle childhood education which shall include study in early adolescent development and instructional strategies in middle childhood education. For such equivalent coursework, the candidate must have achieved at least a C or its equivalent in any undergraduate level course and at least a B- or its equivalent in any graduate level course in order for the semester hours associated with that course to be credited toward meeting this semester hour requirement for the extension sought.

12. Subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of section 80-4.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended, effective March 11, 2004, as follows:

(ii) The candidate shall complete a program registered pursuant to section 52.21(b)(4)(v) of this Title, or its equivalent consisting of a total of six semester hours of coursework that includes study in each of the following subjects: methods for identifying and assessing students who learn at a pace and level that is significantly different from that of their classmates, including but not limited to gifted students; methods for providing differentiated teaching and learning environments for such students; and skills for collaborating with other school staff to provide individualized instruction. For such equivalent coursework, the candidate must have achieved at least a C or its equivalent in any undergraduate level course and at least a B- or its equivalent in any graduate level course in order for the semester hours associated with that course to be credited toward meeting this semester hour requirement.

13. Subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) of section 80-4.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended, effective March 11, 2004, as follows:

(ii) The candidate shall complete a program registered pursuant to section 52.21(b)(4)(vi) of this Title, or its equivalent consisting of a total of six semester hours of coursework that includes study in developing, implementing, coordinating, and evaluating work-based learning experiences and programs. For such equivalent coursework, the candidate must have achieved at least a C or its equivalent in any undergraduate level course and at least a B- or its equivalent in any graduate level course in order for the semester hours associated with the course to be credited toward meeting this semester hour requirement.

14. Subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (f) of section 80-4.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended, effective March 11, 2004, as follows:

(ii) The candidate shall complete a program registered pursuant to section 52.21(b)(4)(vi) of this Title, or its equivalent consisting of a total of six semester hours of coursework that includes study in developing, implementing, coordinating, and evaluating work-based learning experiences and programs. For such equivalent coursework, the candidate must have achieved at least a C or its equivalent in any undergraduate level course and at least a B- or its equivalent in any graduate level course in order for the semester hours associated with such course to be credited toward meeting this semester hour requirement.

15. Subdivision (b) of section 80-4.4 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended, effective March 11, 2004, as follows:

(b) The candidate shall complete a program registered pursuant to section 52.21(b)(4)(vii) of this Title or its equivalent consisting of a total of nine semester hours of coursework specifically focused on teaching learners with severe and multiple disabilities. For such equivalent coursework, the candidate must have achieved at least a C or its equivalent in any undergraduate level course and at least a B- or its equivalent in any graduate level course in order for the semester hours associated with such course to be credited toward meeting this semester hour requirement.

The Honorable the Members of the Board of Regents