New OTI Web site with Search Certification Requirement Feature

	THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234 Office of Teaching Initiatives Joseph B. Porter, Executive Director Office of Teaching Initiatives & Policy Implementation Robert G. Bentley, Executive Director of Professional Licensing & Teacher Certification
Date:	May 18, 2005
To:	Chief School Officers of Public School Districts; Deans of Teacher Education Programs; School Personnel Administrators; New York City Department of Education;
From:	Robert G. Bentley and Joseph B. Porter
Subject:	New OTI Web site with Search Certification Requirement Feature

We’re happy to inform you that substantial progress has been made in our efforts to develop a new computer system for processing teacher certification applications (TEACH). On Thursday, May 19, 2005, we will "go live" with our new "Search Certification Requirements" search engine, the first portion of our new automated, online teacher certification application process. This search engine may be accessed on OTI’s Web site (www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert). Specifically, the new Search Certification Requirements search engine provides the following functionalities:

There is a five-step process to help applicants select the specific certificate title and type they seek.

Once a specific certificate title and type are selected, the search feature will display the various pathways to obtain this certificate.

For each pathway, the search feature displays the requirements that must be met to obtain the certificate through this pathway.

For each requirement, a narrative description is available, giving a more complete explanation of that requirement.

For each base certificate displayed, the search engine will also show available extensions to this certificate.

The addition of the new Search Certification Requirements search engine is an integral part of our newly re-designed OTI Web site and will complement other improvements we have made to make it easier for our customers and the general public to navigate through its pages. Building upon the existing Web site as a foundation, OTI staff have worked hard over the past several months designing and testing the following new enhancements to the site:

Search Certification Requirements will now be accessed from any OTI Web page.
Quick Links can also be accessed from any page.

The links within quick links are: Applications and Forms, Frequently Asked Questions, News, Customer Service Survey, Regulations, Related Links, Search Certification Requirements, Topics A-Z.
Each main page section will have a side bar and a highlights section with the appropriate side bar on every Web page.
Main section headers were changed and contents restructured:

a. Teaching as a Career changed to "Teaching in New York"

b. Obtaining your Certificate changed to "Certification"

c. Resources for Teachers and Schools changed to "Resources – Educators"

d. Resources for the Public changed to "Resources – Public"

e. "Fingerprinting" was added as a main section

We believe these improvements represent the first of several important steps on our way to building the new TEACH system, which will make it easier for everyone--certification applicants, local school district staff, college employees, and the general public--to access information about teacher certification. We hope you find this information is organized in an easy-to-understand and – perhaps just as importantly – easier to use format. We urge you to take this opportunity to alert your staff to these important enhancements to our Web site and to test out for yourself our new Search Certification Requirements search engine.

While the development of the enhanced search and navigation features on the Web are important accomplishments, there is still much work to be done before the TEACH system is fully operational, including the application and payment for certificates online. We anticipate the full integration of these new options into the TEACH system later in the year. Some of you have already assisted us by piloting portions of the TEACH System. We thank you for your assistance.

As we progress through this dynamic process, you can expect that we will provide you with updates so that you and your staff are apprised of our progress on this initiative.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. We invite you to try the Search Certification Requirements feature and to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions for improving the new system.

cc: Johanna Duncan-Poitier
     James A. Kadamus
     Joseph P. Frey
    Theresa Savo