AMENDMENT TO THE REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION

          Pursuant to sections 14, 101, 207, 208, 305, 308, 3001, 3004 and 3009 of the Education Law.

1. Subclause (1) of clause (a) of subparagraph (iii) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of section 52.21 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:

(1) specialist option - a major or the equivalent in English, a world language other than English, biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, mathematics, or social studies; provided that the content core in social studies shall include study in economics, government, and at least a total of 21 semester hours of study in the history and geography of the United States and the world. Provided, however, that: 

(i) for candidates who hold a classroom teaching certificate[ in a science certificate title, and are seeking a classroom teaching certificate in a different science certificate title(s)], other than a certificate in a specific career and technical subject (grades 7-12), and are seeking one or more additional classroom teaching certificates in middle childhood education (English, a world language other than English, biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, mathematics, or social studies), the program shall [only] require 18 semester hours of study for the content core in the subject area(s) of [the] such additional [science certificate title(s)] certificate(s); provided that the content core in social studies shall include study in economics, government, and history and geography of the United States and the world; and 

(ii) for candidates who are simultaneously preparing for two or more classroom teaching certificates[ in different science certificate titles], other than a certificate in a specific career and technical subject (grades 7-12), the program shall require a major or the equivalent for the content core in [one of the subject areas of the science certificate title] the subject area of one certificate and [only] 18 semester hours of study for the content core in the subject area(s) of the additional [science certificate title(s)] certificate(s) in middle childhood education (English, a world language other than English, biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, mathematics, or social studies); provided that the content core in social studies shall include study in economics, government, and history and geography of the United States and the world; or 

2. Clause (a) of subparagraph (iv) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of section 52.21 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:

(a) Content core. In addition to meeting the general requirements for the content core prescribed in clause (2)(ii)(a) of this subdivision, the content core shall be a major or its equivalent in one of the liberal arts and sciences that provides a knowledge base for assisting students in grades 7 through 12 in meeting the State learning standards for students, as applicable to one of the following subjects and prescribed in Part 100 of this Title: English, a world language other than English, biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, mathematics, or social studies, provided that the content core in social studies shall include study in economics, government, and at least a total of 21 semester hours of study in the history and geography of the United States and the world. Provided, however, that: 

(i) for candidates who hold a classroom teaching certificate[ in a science certificate title, and are seeking a classroom teaching certificate in a different science certificate title(s)], other than a certificate in a specific career and technical subject (grades 7-12), and are seeking one or more additional classroom teaching certificates in adolescence education (English, a world language other than English, biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, mathematics, or social studies), the program shall [only] require 18 semester hours of study for the content core in the subject area(s) of [the] such additional [science certificate title(s)] certificate(s); provided that the content core in social studies shall include study in economics, government, and history and geography of the United States and the world; and 

(ii) for candidates who are simultaneously preparing for two or more classroom teaching certificates[ in different science certificate titles], other than a certificate in a specific career and technical subject (grades 7-12), the program shall require a major or the equivalent for the content core in [one of the subject areas of the science certificate title] the subject area of one certificate and [only] 18 semester hours of study for the content core in the subject area(s) of the additional [science certificate title(s)] certificate(s) in adolescence education (English, a world language other than English, biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, mathematics, or social studies); provided that the content core in social studies shall include study in economics, government, and history and geography of the United States and the world. 

3. Clause (a) of subparagraph (v) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of section 52.21 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:

(a) Content core. Except as provided in [paragraph] paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of this subdivision, in addition to meeting the general requirements for the content core prescribed in clause (2)(ii)(a) of this subdivision, the content core shall be a major or its equivalent in the subject area of the certificate that provides a knowledge base for assisting students in meeting the State learning standards for students, as applicable to one of the following subjects and prescribed in Part 100 of this Title: dance, family and consumer sciences, health education, music, physical education, technology education, theatre, or visual arts. 

(1) … 

(2) …

(3) For certificates in one of the other special subjects (dance, family and consumer sciences, health education, music, physical education, technology education, theatre, or visual arts): 

(i) for candidates who hold a classroom teaching certificate, other than a certificate in a specific career and technical subject (grades 7-12), and are seeking one or more additional classroom teaching certificates in a special subject, the program shall require 18 semester hours of study for the content core in the subject area(s) of such additional certificate(s); and 

(ii) for candidates who are simultaneously preparing for two or more classroom teaching certificates, other than a certificate in a specific career and technical subject (grades 7-12), the program shall require a major or the equivalent for the content core in the subject area of one certificate and 18 semester hours of study for the content core in the subject area(s) of the additional certificate(s) in a special subject. 

4. Clause (a) of subparagraph (xii) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of section 52.21 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:

(a) Content core. In addition to meeting the general requirements for the content core prescribed in clause (2)(ii)(a) of this subdivision, the content core shall include a major or its equivalent in agriculture or business and marketing, as applicable, that provides a knowledge base for assisting students in meeting the State learning standards for students in career development and occupational studies, as prescribed in Part 100 of this Title. Provided, however, that: 

(1) for candidates who hold a classroom teaching certificate, other than a certificate in a specific career and technical subject (grades 7-12), and are seeking an additional classroom teaching certificate in agriculture and/or business and marketing, the program shall require 18 semester hours of study for the content core in the subject area(s) of such additional certificate(s); and 

(2) for candidates who are simultaneously preparing for two or more classroom teaching certificates, other than a certificate in a specific career and technical subject (grades 7-12), the program shall require a major or the equivalent for the content core in the subject area of one certificate and 18 semester hours of study for the content core in the subject area(s) of the additional certificate(s) in agriculture and/or business and marketing. 

5. Subclause (1) of clause (b) of subparagraph (xvii) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of section 52.21 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:

          (1) Admission requirements. Alternative teacher certification programs that are registered prior to July 1, 2001, shall meet the admission requirements in effect at the time of registration or the admission requirements of this subclause. All alternative teacher certification programs that are registered on or after July 1, 2001, shall meet the admission requirements of this subclause.

(i) …

(ii) The program shall require candidates to hold a baccalaureate or graduate degree from an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or from an institution authorized by the Board of Regents to confer degrees. Candidates shall have achieved a 3.0 cumulative grade point average, or its equivalent, in the program leading to the baccalaureate or graduate degree[,] or shall have been found by an officer designated by the registered alternative teacher certification program to have the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully complete the program, which finding shall be in writing and include the basis for that finding.

(iii) Candidates for a certificate in the classroom teaching service shall have completed an undergraduate or graduate major in the subject of the certificate sought, or an undergraduate or graduate major in a related field approved by the department for this purpose at the time of program registration, [except that candidates for a certificate in early childhood education, childhood education, and middle childhood education-generalist; or special education at the early childhood level and at the childhood level for programs registered prior to October 1, 2022; or in teaching common branch subjects in the lower (PreK-3) and upper (4-6) elementary grades (PreK-6) shall meet the requirements of item (iv) of this subclause.] provided that: 

[(iv)] (A) Candidates for certificates in early childhood education, childhood education, and middle childhood education-generalist; or special education at the early childhood level and the childhood level for programs registered prior to October 1, 2022; or in teaching common branch subjects in the lower (PreK-3) and upper (4-6) elementary grades (PreK-6) shall have completed an undergraduate or graduate major in a liberal arts and sciences subject or interdisciplinary field. 

[(v)] (B) Candidates for a certificate in students with disabilities adolescence (generalist) for programs registered prior to October 1, 2022, or all grades shall have completed an undergraduate or graduate major, concentration, or the equivalent, in one or more of the liberal arts and sciences, and shall have completed at least six semester hours in each of the following subject areas: mathematics, English language arts, social studies, and science and have sufficient pedagogical skills to teach these subjects prior to completion of the program. 

(C) Candidates who are simultaneously preparing for two or more classroom teaching certificates shall have completed an undergraduate or graduate major in the subject area of one certificate, or an undergraduate or graduate major in a related field approved by the department for this purpose at the time of program registration, and 18 semester hours of study in the subject area(s) of the additional certificate(s) in adolescence education, agriculture (all grades), business and marketing (all grades), middle childhood education specialist, and/or a special subject other than computer science (all grades); provided that the 18 semester hours of study for the additional certificate title(s) in social studies (grades 5-9) and (grades 7-12) shall include study in economics, government, and history and geography of the United States and the world. 

6. The opening paragraph of section 80-3.7 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:

This section prescribes requirements for meeting the education requirements for classroom teaching certificates through individual evaluation. Candidates who apply for any of the certificates in the classroom teaching service as described herein may continue to meet the education requirements for classroom teaching certificates through individual evaluation. [Candidates with a graduate degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics who apply for an initial teaching certificate under subclause (a)(3)(ii)(c)(3) of this section may continue to meet the education requirements for classroom teaching certificates through individual evaluation after May 1, 2014.] 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, or, in response to the State of emergency declared by the Governor pursuant to an Executive Order for the COVID-19 crisis candidates may achieve a passing grade or its equivalent in any undergraduate or graduate level course completed during the Spring, Summer, or Fall 2020 terms, in accordance with the pass/fail grading policy or its equivalent at the institution of higher education (e.g., credit/no credit, pass/fail, satisfactory/unsatisfactory policy), in lieu of achieving 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.  

7. Subdivision (a) of section 80-3.7 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:

(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),] initial certificate in the educational technology specialist (all grades) title[, agriculture (all grades), family and consumer sciences (all grades), business and marketing (all grades), technology education (all grades) and computer science (all grades)] has no additional requirements prescribed in paragraph (3) of this subdivision. 

(2) …

(i) …

(ii) …

(iii) Content core. The candidate shall complete 30 semester 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[; provided, however that a candidate seeking an initial certificate in computer science shall only be required to complete 12 semester hours of coursework in the subject area of the certificate title; provided further, however, that a candidate seeking an initial certificate in indigenous culture and language studies shall only be required to complete the number of semester hours of coursework in the subject area of the certificate title as prescribed in subparagraph (xiv) of paragraph (3) of this subdivision; provided further, however, that a candidate who holds a classroom teaching certificate in a science certificate title, and is seeking a certificate in a different science certificate title(s), shall only be required to complete 18 semester hours of coursework in the subject area(s) of the additional science certificate title(s)]. 

(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, 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,] initial, permanent, 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), indigenous culture and language studies (all grades), literacy (birth-grade 6), literacy (grades 5-12), literacy (all grades), students with disabilities (birth-grade 2), students with disabilities (grades 1-6), students with disabilities (grades 5-9), students with disabilities (grades 7-12), students with disabilities (all grades), deaf and hard of hearing (all grades), blind or visually impaired (all grades), and speech and language disabilities (all grades). 

(a)…

(b)…

(3) …

(i) …

(ii) Specialist in middle childhood education (5-9) and adolescence education (7-12).

(a) Content core. The content core prescribed in subparagraph (2)(iii) of this subdivision shall consist of 30 semester hours of coursework in the subject area of the certificate title sought (English, a world language other than English, biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, mathematics, or social studies); provided that candidates who hold one or more initial, permanent, or professional certificates in the classroom teaching service, other than a title in a specific career and technical subject (grades 7-12), and are seeking an additional classroom teaching certificate in middle childhood education or adolescence education (English language arts, a world language other than English, biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, mathematics, or social studies), shall be required to complete 18 semester hours of coursework in the subject area of such additional certificate title sought. For the titles of social studies (grades 5-9) and social studies (grades 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; provided that a candidate who holds one or more initial, permanent, or professional certificates in the classroom teaching service, other than a title in a specific career and technical subject (grades 7-12), shall be required to complete 18 semester hours of coursework in social studies that includes study in economics, government, United States history, world history, and geography. 

(b) …

(c) …

(iii)

(iv)…

(v)…

(vi)…

(vii)…

(viii) …

(ix) …

(x) …

(xi) …

(xii) …

(xiii) …

(xiv) [Indigenous culture and language studies. 

(a) Content core. The content core prescribed in subparagraph (2)(iii) of this subdivision shall consist of: 

(i) 18 semester hours of coursework in the subject area of the certificate title; or 

(ii) 12 semester hours of coursework in the subject area of the certificate title and acceptable proficiency in an indigenous language as determined by a designated official in the Nations who is approved by the department. 

(b) Pedagogical core. Within the pedagogical core prescribed in subparagraph (2)(iv) of this subdivision, the candidate shall complete three additional semester hours in teaching literacy skills.] Special subjects (all grades), agriculture (all grades), and business and marketing (all grades). 

(a) Special subjects other than computer science and indigenous culture and language studies. The content core prescribed in subparagraph (2)(iii) of this subdivision shall consist of 30 semester hours of coursework in the subject area of the certificate title sought (dance, family and consumer sciences, health education, music, physical education, technology education, theater, and visual arts); provided that candidates who hold one or more initial, permanent, or professional certificates in the classroom teaching service, other than a title in a specific career and technical subject (grades 7-12), and are seeking an additional classroom teaching certificate in a special subject (dance, family and consumer sciences, health education, music, physical education, technology education, theater, or visual arts), shall be required to complete 18 semester hours of coursework in the subject area of such additional certificate title sought. 

(b) Computer science. The content core prescribed in subparagraph (2)(iii) of this subdivision shall consist of 12 semester hours of coursework in computer science. 

(c) Indigenous culture and language studies. 

(1) Content core. The content core prescribed in subparagraph (2)(iii) of this subdivision shall consist of: 

(i) 18 semester hours of coursework in the subject area of the certificate title; or 

(ii) 12 semester hours of coursework in the subject area of the certificate title and acceptable proficiency in an indigenous language as determined by a designated official in the Nations who is approved by the department. 

(2) Pedagogical core. Within the pedagogical core prescribed in subparagraph (2)(iv) of this subdivision, the candidate shall complete three additional semester hours in teaching literacy skills. 

(d) Agriculture and business and marketing. The content core prescribed in subparagraph (2)(iii) of this subdivision shall consist of 30 semester hours of coursework in the subject area of the certificate title sought (agriculture and business and marketing); provided that candidates who hold one or more initial, permanent, or professional certificates in the classroom teaching service, other than a title in a specific career and technical subject (grades 7-12), and are seeking an additional classroom teaching certificate in agriculture and/or business and marketing, shall be required to complete 18 semester hours of coursework in the subject area of such additional certificate title sought.