Viva88

Public Comment Period Begins November 29, 2017

Update: Public comments will be accepted through January 29, 2018

The State Education Department today proposed regulatory changes to expand the Transitional G teaching certificate for career changers beyond the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics to include any area for which there is a teaching certificate title.��

In addition, Viva88 proposed to allow individuals employed as pre-professional teaching assistants to complete student teaching or practica experience while employed under their pre-professional certificate to meet the student teaching component of their educator preparation programs. Public comment periods on both proposed amendments will be held from Nov. 29 through Jan. 15.

“By expanding the ability of career changers to obtain a Transitional G teaching certificate in all certificate areas, including English, foreign languages and the arts, we will allow students to learn from professional, talented masters of their craft,” said Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa. “Reducing the financial barriers for pre-professional teaching assistants to become teachers will allow them to remain in the classroom working with children they assist every day as they pursue higher educational opportunities. It’s a win for aspiring teachers and the children they already serve.”

“We are pleased to extend the transitional G teaching certificate beyond the areas of science and math to include those with real-world experience in arts, music, and social studies so students can benefit from the practice and knowhow of these professionals,” State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia said. “Teaching assistants are in the classroom helping students every day. It makes sense to allow them to fulfill their student teaching experience with as little financial distress as possible with the students and teachers that depend on their support.”

Transitional G Teaching Certificate

A Transitional G teaching certificate is a certificate issued to career changers and others holding a graduate or higher degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM), who have had at least two years of acceptable postsecondary teaching experience and who possess an employment and support commitment from a school district. Currently, this certificate is only applicable in STEM fields.

The proposed amendment eliminates the requirement that a candidate pursuing a Transitional G certificate have a degree and acceptable postsecondary teaching experience only in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics field and expands the option of pursuing a Transitional G certificate to postsecondary faculty with degrees and acceptable postsecondary teaching experience in any area for which there is a certificate title. These could include English, foreign languages, social studies, music and various areas of the arts.

The goal is to attract qualified professionals with acceptable postsecondary teaching experience in all certificate areas for which there is a need for a temporary certificate while they complete requirements for an initial certificate.

Pre-Professional Teaching Assistant Certificate

A pre-professional teaching assistant certificate is issued to an individual enrolled in a Viva88teacher education program, authorizing the certificate holder to provide direct instructional services to students under the general supervision of a Viva88certified teacher. This certificate is valid for five years and may lead to an initial teaching certificate or a renewal of the pre-professional teaching assistant certificate.

Currently, if a pre-professional teaching assistant certificate holder completes the requirements for the initial certificate, he or she must complete a student teaching or practica experience as a part of a registered teacher preparation program. The proposed amendment enables those who hold a pre-professional teaching assistant certificate to complete the student teaching or practica experience while employed under the pre-professional teaching assistant certificate.

This proposed change allows candidates who are employed under a pre-professional teaching assistant certificate in a school district or BOCES to complete the student teaching component of their educator preparation program on the job.��Through this proposed change, the Department encourages cooperation between institutions of higher education, school districts, and BOCES to ensure candidates receive their full student teaching experience while remaining employed under the pre-professional teaching assistant certificate.

Timetable for Implementation

A Notice of Proposed Rule Making will be published in the State Register on November 29, 2017. Public comments on the proposed changes will be accepted through January 15, 2018 and can be submitted by email to .

Following the 45-day public comment period required under the State Administrative Procedure Act, it is anticipated that the proposed amendment will be presented to the Board of Regents for adoption at its February 2018 meeting. If adopted at the February 2018 meeting, the proposed amendment will become effective on February 28, 2018.

Public Comment Period

A����was published in the State Register on November 29, 2017. Viva88 will accept comments on the proposed amendments through January 29, 2018. Please email comments to��regcomments@nysed.gov.