Download: Complete Bulletin (62k pdf)

The New York State Board of Regents recently enacted a change in the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education establishing a new supplementary teaching certificate in response to persistent teacher shortages in certain subject areas. This credential will allow a teacher certified in one classroom teaching area to provide instruction in a different certificate area where there is a demonstrated shortage of qualified teachers, for up to three years, while pursuing the requirements necessary for the new certificate title. As of July 16, 2009, the Department will issue Supplementary Bilingual Education Extensions for classroom teaching and pupil personnel service provider titles. See NYSUT Information Bulletin 200912 for more information.

SUPPLEMENTARY TEACHING CERTIFICATE

It is used when…

• There is a demonstrated shortage of certified teachers in that subject area.
• A school district or BOCES makes a commitment to employ a teacher holding a supplementary certificate and provide appropriate support.

You are eligible if you…

• Hold a valid NYS provisional, initial, permanent or professional certification in another certificate area.
• Have completed the required number of semester hours in the content core of the new certificate area.
• Have passed the Content Specialty Test in the new certificate area.
• Are enrolled in collegiate study leading to the fulfillment of the new certificate requirements.

How long is it valid?

• The certificate is valid for three years from its effective date and is not renewable.

Are there limitations?

• The holder of a supplementary teaching certificate can only teach in the school district or BOCES that provided the commitment for employment.

How do you apply?

• Candidates submit an application with verifying statements from the employing school district or BOCES
• The application is available through the Office of Teaching Initiatives (OTI) TEACH online services www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/TEACH

Section 80-5.18 - Supplementary certificate.

(a) Purpose. The purpose of the supplementary certificate is to authorize a teacher who is currently certified in a title in the classroom teaching service to teach in a different title in the classroom teaching service for which there is a demonstrated shortage of certified teachers, while the teacher is engaged in study at an institution of higher education to complete the requirements necessary to qualify for the new certificate.

(b) Limitations. The supplementary certificate shall be valid for three years from its effective date and shall not be renewable. The supplementary certificate shall be limited to employment with an employing entity.

(c) Requirements. To be eligible for a supplementary certificate, a candidate shall meet the requirements in each of the following paragraphs:

(1) Application. The candidate shall apply for the supplementary certificate, and upon application qualify for the certificate, in a certificate title in the classroom teaching service for which there is a demonstrated shortage of certified teachers as determined by the department.
(2) Certification. The candidate shall hold a valid provisional, initial, permanent, or professional certificate in a title in the classroom teaching service identified in Subparts 80-2 or 80-3 of this Part.
(3) The candidate shall agree to be enrolled in study at an institution of higher education leading to an initial or professional certificate in the certificate title sought.
(4) Education.

(i) The candidate shall hold the minimum degree required for an initial certificate in the certificate title sought.
(ii) The candidate shall have completed coursework as prescribed in this subparagraph. The candidate shall 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 submitted to meet the coursework requirements of this subparagraph.

(a) For candidates seeking a certificate, other than one of the certificates for the instruction of students with disabilities, a certificate for the instruction of the deaf and hard of hearing, a certificate for the instruction of the blind or visually impaired, a certificate for the instruction of literacy, or a certificate for teaching English to speakers of other languages, the candidate shall have completed twelve semester hours of study in the content core required for the initial certificate in the certificate title sought, as prescribed in section 80-3.7 of this Part.
(b) For candidates seeking one of the certificates for the instruction of students with disabilities, the candidate shall have completed nine semester hours of study in the instruction of students with disabilities, as prescribed in the pedagogical core required for the initial certificate in the certificate title sought, set forth in section 80-3.7 of this Part.
(c) For candidates seeking a certificate for the instruction of students who are deaf and hard of hearing, the candidate shall have completed nine semester hours in the instruction of the deaf and hard of hearing, as prescribed in the pedagogical core for the initial certificate in this certificate title, set forth in section 80-3.7 of this Part.
(d) For candidates seeking a certificate for the instruction of the blind or visually impaired, the candidate shall have completed nine semester hours in the instruction of the blind or visually impaired as prescribed in the pedagogical core for the initial certificate in this certificate title, set forth in section 80-3.7 of this Part.
(e) For candidates seeking one of the certificates for the instruction of literacy, the candidate shall have completed nine semester hours of study in literacy education, as prescribed in the pedagogical core required for the initial certificate in the certificate title sought, set forth in section 80-3.7 of this Part.
(f) For candidates seeking a certificate for teaching English to speakers of other languages, the candidate shall have completed six semester hours of coursework in methods of second language teaching in the elementary and secondary grades and six semester hours in teaching literacy skills, as prescribed in the pedagogical core for the initial certificate in this certificate title, set forth in section 80-3.7 of this Part.

(5) The candidate shall submit a statement by the Chancellor, in the case of employment with the City School District of the City of New York; or by the superintendent, in the case of other employing boards; or by the chief school officer, in the case of employment with another entity required by law to employ certified teachers certifying:

(i) the employing entity seeks to employ the candidate in a teaching position in a certificate title in the classroom teaching service with a demonstrated shortage of certified teachers as determined by the department for which the candidate would need the supplementary certificate to qualify;
(ii) the employing entity will require, as a condition of employment under the supplementary certificate, the candidate's enrollment in study at an institution of higher education leading to an initial or professional certificate in the certificate title sought; and
(iii) the employing entity will provide appropriate support to the candidate undertaking a teaching assignment under the supplementary certificate to ensure the maintenance of quality instruction for students.

(6) Examination. The candidate shall submit evidence of having achieved a satisfactory level of performance on the Content Specialty Test in the area of the certificate title sought, if available.

Doc#73514

Download: Complete Bulletin (62k pdf)