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OFFICE OF TEACHING INITIATIVES
Teaching in New York
Certification
Resources - Educators
Resources - Public
Teacher Showcase
Fingerprinting
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About Us
The Office of Teaching Initiatives (OTI) is one of three
major units within the Office of Higher
Education in the New York State Education Department. The Office of Teaching
Initiatives has approximately 75 staff members in three units:
Certification Processing Unit
The unit processes and evaluates teaching certificate applications for service
in New York State public schools. Certificates are required for all public school
teachers ("teacher" in New York State being defined as all classroom teachers,
school administrators, and pupil personnel service providers). The Unit issues
approximately 72,000 certificates annually and is supported in this function
by 31 Regional Certification Offices,
located at Boards of Cooperatives Educational Services (BOCES) throughout the
State.
Teacher Policy Unit
The unit is responsible for the development of policy related to teacher certification,
and cooperates with other offices in the development of policy related to teacher
preparation and practice. It administers the
New York State Teacher Certification
Examination (NYSTCE) Program, as well as a variety of teacher induction,
support, and recognition programs. In addition, the unit serves as staff to
the State Professional Standards
and Practices Board for Teaching.
Office of School Personnel
Review and Accountability (OSPRA)
The unit administers the fingerprinting program for certificate applicants and
public school employees. Its responsibilities also include the investigation
of complaints against teachers under the State's teacher moral character regulations.
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