State Education Department Proposes Changes to Create Opportunities for Teachers of Students with Disabilities and Career and Technical Education

Update: Public comments will be accepted through December 31, 2018

The State Education Department today proposed regulatory changes to increase opportunities for teachers of students with disabilities (SWD) and Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers, Commissioner MaryEllen Elia announced. The proposed changes would add to the list of eligible certificate titles for certain teachers of students with disabilities to obtain limited extensions or to qualify for statements of continued eligibility to teach SWD. Extensions would also be created for CTE teachers currently certified for grades 7-12, allowing experienced educators to teach grades 5 and 6.

“There is a statewide shortage of teachers in these specialized areas, and these changes will help districts recruit and retain the talented teachers they desperately need,” Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa said. “The Board and I have made it a priority to continue to provide opportunities for teachers, while ensuring that we maintain New York’s high standards for certification.” 

“I often hear from administrators and teachers that there need to be more ways for qualified teachers to get into and stay in the classroom. In fact, these proposed changes are the result of their feedback,” Commissioner Elia said. “By expanding the list of eligible certificate titles, we will open the door for experienced teachers and help administrators who are struggling to fill these in-demand positions. In the end, it’s our students who benefit most.”

Teachers of Students with Disabilities

In response to public comment, the Department proposes adding numerous certificate titlesto the list that is eligible for the limited extensions and statement of continued eligibility for teachers of students with disabilities. The proposed changes expand the grades and special class subject areas that certain teachers of students with disabilities are allowed to teach.

Expanding the list of eligible certificate titles enables more qualified teachers of students with disabilities to seek the grade level extensions, limited extensions, and statement of continued eligibility. By allowing teachers who hold Students with Disabilities content specialist certificates to be eligible for the limited extensions and statement of continued eligibility, they can gain certification in subject areas different from their base certificate. For example, teachers who hold a Students with Disabilities (Grades 7-12) Biology certificate would be able to pursue limited extensions or an SOCE in another science, such as chemistry or earth science.

Further information can be found in the October 2018 Regents Item.

Teachers of Career and Technical Education

Currently, subject area teachers in grades 7-12 can earn an extension to teach a subject in grades five and six if they complete six semester hours of coursework at the middle childhood developmental level. The proposed changes allow career and technical education teachers in grades 7-12 to be eligible for an extension to teach in their specific career and technical education certificate title in grades 5 and 6.

This revision will enable teachers who hold particular career and technical certificate titles (Business Management and Administration titles, Family and Consumer Science titles, Agriculture titles, any Trade or Technical titles, and Health Occupations) in grades 7-12 to teach that title in grades five and six to satisfy the middle level CTE requirement. The extension would provide school districts with flexibility to schedule the unit of study requirements in buildings with different grade-level configurations.

The proposed regulation also allows institutions of higher education to develop an educator preparation program that leads to an extension to teach in grades 5 and 6 in any specific career and technical education title.

More information on this proposed regulation change can be found in the October 2018 Regents Item.

Timetable for Implementation

A Notice of Proposed Rule Making will be published in the State Register on October 31, 2018. Comments on the proposed changes will be accepted through December 31, 2018 and can be submitted by email to REGCOMMENTS@nysed.gov.

Following the 60-day public comment period required under the State Administrative Procedure Act, it is anticipated that the proposed amendments will be presented to the Board of Regents for adoption at its February 2019 meeting. If adopted, the proposed amendments will become effective on February 27, 2019.

Questions regarding these proposed amendments can be submitted by email to the Office of Teaching Initiatives.

Public Comment Periods

Limited Extensions and Program Requirements for Certain Career and Technical Education Teachers

A Notice of Proposed Rule Making was published in the State Register on October 31, 2018. NYSED will accept comments on the proposed changes through December 31, 2018. Please email comments to regcomments@nysed.gov.

Alternative Pathways for Certificate for Certain Teachers Who Hold Students with Disabilities Certificate

A Notice of Proposed Rule Making was published in the State Register on October 31, 2018. NYSED will accept comments on the proposed changes through December 31, 2018. Please email comments to regcomments@nysed.gov.