Education Deans/Directors are currently providing the Office of Teaching Initiatives with the data needed to distribute assessment fee vouchers for the Content Specialty Tests (CSTs), Educating All Students (EAS) test, and edTPA. The vouchers will be distributed this fall after the data are collected from the institutions of higher education.

Science Content Specialty Test Study Guide. The Study Guides for the revised Biology Content Specialty Test (CST), Chemistry CST, Earth Science CST, and Physics CST are now available on the NYSTCE website. The study guides include sample selected-response questions and sample constructed-response items.

Mathematics and Social Studies Content Specialty Test Practice Tests. The Mathematics Content Specialty Test (CST) Practice Test and Social Studies CST Practice Test are now available on the NYSTCE website. The practice tests supplement the free sample test questions and test framework that are also available through the above links.

EDTPA PASSING SCORE INCREASING

In June 2017, the edTPA Standard Setting Panel recommended new passing scores for the edTPA and a four-year phase-in period for the new passing scores. The phase-in period began on January 1, 2018. According to the schedule, the edTPA passing scores will increase by one point on January 1, 2020.  

Candidates who submit their edTPA after December 5, 2019 will receive their score after January 1, 2020 when the new passing scores apply. The passing scores will then increase by one point for a final time on January 1, 2022. The passing scores effective January 1, 2020 and January 1, 2022 are posted on the Office of Teaching Initiatives website.

EARLY LEARNING VIDEO SERIES

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) Office of Early Learning is excited to announce the release of the Early Learning Video Series: A Guide for Educators Serving Children in Prekindergarten through 2nd Grade. NYSED values play as an instructional strategy in the early childhood classroom. This video series includes examples of purposeful play-based instructional strategies that assist students in developing critical foundational skills. Each of these videos includes:

• A comprehensive view of the classroom environment;
• Individual learning areas that are arranged appropriately for the age of the students;
• Examples of learning centers, including: Science, Writing, Dramatic Play, Math, Outdoor Play, Sensory, Arts, Music and Movement, and Blocks and Building;
• Teacher descriptions and explanations about the implementation of learning centers, including: the reasoning behind changing centers throughout the year, adding purposeful materials, and thematic changes;
• Teachers and staff interacting with students at each learning center, and students working independently and in small groups;
• Whole class instruction with interactions between students and staff; and
• Teacher reflections on lessons or center interaction, including connections to curriculum and assessment.

Administrators and faculty in programs preparing candidates for Early Childhood Education and Childhood Education certification are encouraged to view and share these resources. Your candidates will find these resources valuable as they begin to reflect on how to best serve children in prekindergarten through second grade classrooms.

• Office of Higher Education
• Certification
  
• Office of College and University Evaluation
  
• NYSED
  
• Board of Regents
  
• NYSTCE
  
• Professional Standards and Practices Board

Office of Higher Education

Room 975 EBA
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Albany, NY 12234
(518) 486-3633