Graduate School of Education

You must complete the following in order to obtain New York State Certification

• Fingerprinting

  When should I get fingerprinted? 

  
  Once you become a Bank Street graduate student, you are encouraged to get fingerprinted as soon as possible. Processing time varies and delays in processing can cause you setbacks as you try to obtain certification and employment, even as a student teacher.

   

  How do I get fingerprinted for Certification?

  1. Go to TEACH and apply for fingerprint clearance.
  2. Obtain a fingerprinting packet from the Registrar's Office.
  3. Complete the Consent Forms.
  4. Complete the top portion of the Fingerprint Cards.
  5. Get the Fingerprint Processing Fee
  6. Contact your local Police Precinct (if in NYC) or State Police barracks (outside of NYC) to find out when fingerprints are taken.
  7. Get Fingerprinted.
  8. Send the Complete Fingerprint Packet to OSPRA: Please send your completed packet to OSPRA in the preaddressed envelope provided by OSPRA. A complete fingerprint packet to mail to OSPRA must include:

  a.  Signed completed Consent Form (OSPRA 101)
  b.  Two properly completed and signed FBI cards
  c.  Certified check, bank check, money order, school district check or contract service provider check for $99

   

  How do I get fingerprinted for fieldwork and/or EDUC991?

  Contact Dara Eisentstein at 212-875-4461.

   

  How do I know that my fingerprints and background check has been cleared?

  If there is no criminal history, OSPRA will automatically issue a clearance but you will not be notified in writing. If there is a criminal history, the matter is reviewed by OSPRA to determine whether there is any basis for a possible denial of clearance.

   

  How will the New York State Department of Education know that my fingerprints and background have cleared?

  The New York State Office of Teaching Initiatives is automatically notified that the individual is cleared for certification after OSPRA has reviewed both the DCJS and FBI criminal history reports and determined that there is no basis for a possible denial of clearance.

   

  How will the New York City Department of Education know that my fingerprints and background have cleared?

  The information can be sent to the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) by filing the OSPRA-103 form. You can find more information and download the OSPRA-103 form on their website.

   

  What if I was already fingerprinted by the New York City Department of Education? 

  Applicants must complete an Authorization to Forward Criminal History Record Information from the City School District of the City of New York to the New York State Education Department (OSPRA 104) form and mail it to the NYCDOE at the address on the form.  You can find more information and download the OSPRA-104 form on their website.

• State Exams

  What exams do I need to take?

  New York State Certifications and the Corresponding Exams are:

  • Early Childhood Education
    3 Exams: Elementary versions of LAST, ATS-W, Multi-subject CST

  • Childhood Education
    3 Exams: Elementary versions of LAST, ATS-W, Multi-subject CST

  • Middle Childhood Education
    4 Exams: LAST, Secondary ATS-W, Multi-subject CST, CST in content area(s)

  • Students with Disabilities
    1 Exam: CST for Students with Disabilities

  • Literacy
    1 Exam: CST for Literacy

  • Bilingual Extension
    1 Exam: Bilingual Education Assessment in target language (Spanish) 

   

  How do I register for the exams?

  Exam registration and information is available at  http://www.nystce.nesinc.com/  

   

  Are exams required for graduation from Bank Street?

  No.

   

  How many students successfully complete the exams?

  Annual Institution Report for the academic year 2009-2010:

  Liberal Arts and Science Test (LAST) – 99% pass rate
  Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written (ATS-W) – 99% pass rate.

• Mandated Workshops

  What are the state mandated workshops?

  
  Child Abuse Identification and Reporting Workshop

  
  All students in programs leading to New York State certification are required to complete two clock hours of coursework or training regarding the identification and reporting of suspected child abuse and maltreatment in accordance with Sections 3003(4) and 3004 of the Education Law. Upon completion of the workshop, the applicant will be given a Certification of Completion.
  For a schedule of workshops offered free of charge to matriculated students at Bank Street College, please check the course schedule.

  School Violence Prevention and Intervention Training (SAVE)

  All students in programs leading to New York State certification are required to complete two clock hours of course work or training in school violence prevention and intervention in accordance with Section 3004 of the Education Law. Upon completion of the workshop, the applicant will be given a Certification of Completion.

  
  For a schedule of workshops offered free of charge to matriculated students at Bank Street College, please check the course schedule. 

   

  What if I already took the workshops at my prior institution?

  You must forward copies of the completion forms to the registrar’s office.  If you do not have these copies and the workshops appear on your transcripts, please notify the registrar’s office in writing.  All students in certification programs must submit evidence of workshop completion in order to get recommended for certification.  

   

  How do I register for the workshops?

  
  You can register for workshops like a class. Visit our Registration page.

• Submitting an Application Based on Bank Street Degrees

  Once I graduate, how do I proceed with certification?

  Bank Street will send you a graduation packet with detailed information to help you apply online for your certification(s), including detailed instructions.  You can download these Certification Instructions.

   
  Note: These instructions only pertain to certification that you will earn based on your Bank Street Coursework.  Those who have prior certifications, see below for instructions.
   
  Please note that certification recommendations requested on or after May 1 will be honored following the Spring Bank Street Commencement, beginning on or about June 1.

   

  
  What is my program code?

  On your Student Application Information form (sent in your graduation packet), the program code is the 4 digit number that appears before your Bank Street program.

   

  What if I enter my program code and get an error?

  Remember, this code only applies for the certificate(s) that your Bank Street program is registered for.  Any other certification application should not be submitted using this code.

   

  Should I apply for initial or professional certification?

  Professional certification requires three years of full time head teaching experience including a mentored experience in your workplace. NOTE: The mentor year cannot be your Bank Street fieldwork year.  If you do not have this, you should apply for initial certification.  You will have five years to get the experience required for professional certification. 

   

  Where can I get the Verification of Mentor Experience form for professional certification?

  Please visit http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/pdf/otmentoredexp.pdf 

   

  Where do I send my Verification of Mentor Experience form for professional certification?

  New York State Education Department

  Office of Teaching Initiatives

  Room 5N, Education Building

  Albany, NY  12234

   

  Do I need to submit my transcripts to the state?

  For certifications issued based on your Bank Street course work, no.  If you have a prior certificate or would like to obtain another certification, official transcripts are required.

   

  What if I don’t get three years of experience by the time my initial certificate is expiring?

  You must apply for a time extension through the TEACH system.  If you are applying for an extension on the basis that you have not completed your master's degree, you must develop a written plan, signed by your advisor describing how you will complete the academic requirements for this Master's degree prior to the expiration of the time-extended certificate.  You must also submit official transcripts to the state.  Send supporting documentation to:

  New York State Education Department

  Office of Teaching Initiatives

  Room 5N, EB

  Albany, NY 12234

   

  I am an international student.  What certificates can I obtain?

  Non-citizens with permanent residency status may be able to obtain the full range of certificates. Non-citizens without permanent residency status may be eligible for time-limited certificates.

   

  How can I teach in a public school before I complete my program?

  Students who have completed at least half the credits of their programs and who have a job offer from a school are eligible for the Internship Certification Credential. 
  

• Submitting Other Applications

  I want to get certified in another state, what do I do once I obtain New York State Certification?

  
  You must contact the relevant State Department of Education for details on requirements and application procedures. Certification regulations vary by state, so it is best to obtain the information well in advance of the intended program completion date.

   

  I am certified in another state, what do I do to obtain New York State Certification?

  You must apply online via the TEACH system via the Pathway: Interstate reciprocity.  Reciprocity is only for the academic work, and does not cover state tests. Bank Street has compiled an instruction sheet to help with this process. 

  Please see The New York State Ed website for states that have reciprocity with New York. 

  How do I use my Bank Street degree to move my initial certification to a professional certificate?

  Bank Street can only recommend a student for certification based on coursework that was completed at Bank Street.
  If you apply for certification individually, you must still apply via TEACH, but you will select a different pathway for evaluation. You will select Certificate Progression and must submit all official transcripts to the state along with the Verification of Mentor Experience form.

  Materials should be sent to:

  Certification Unit

  New York State Education Department

  5N Education Building

  Albany, New York 12234

  
  We suggest that all correspondence to the state clearly indicate your name and social security number so that it is properly applied to your file. You may want to send the documents with a return receipt requested, so that you are confident that the state receives the credentials.  Processing time for all certification applications varies.

  
  How do I obtain a New York City license?

  
  New York City Department of Education licensing is a separate process from New York State certification. Note that in order to be a regularly licensed teacher, you must be state certified.

  Visit the NYC Department of Ed website for more information on New York City licensing.