COVID-19 Update: Certification Exam Information for Candidates Enrolled in New York State Educator Preparation Programs
March 30, 2020. The following information only applies to candidates enrolled in registered New York State educator preparation programs (EPPs) leading to teacher, school building leader, or school district leader certification. Information regarding certification exams for other candidates will be provided in the future.
edTPA
Many candidates in registered EPPs who attempted to complete their student teaching or similar clinical experience (e.g., residency, mentored in-service component) during the spring of 2020 may not be able to complete the edTPA in their placement due to issues related to COVID-19.
Candidates in registered EPPs whose student teaching or similar clinical experience in spring of 2020 was impacted by COVID-19 can take and pass either the ATS-W or edTPA to fulfill the teacher performance assessment requirement for teacher certification. Eligible candidates who still choose to take the edTPA, but do not pass it, could take and pass the ATS-W, or pursue the edTPA Multiple Measures Review Process (MMRP), if they qualify.
For candidates in registered EPPs to be eligible to take and pass the ATS-W in lieu of the edTPA, education deans or their appropriate designee must send a list of candidates whose student teaching or similar clinical experience in spring of 2020 was impacted by COVID-19 to the Office of Teaching Initiatives (OTI). Upon receipt of the information, OTI will make a note in the candidates’ TEACH account that they are eligible to take and pass either the ATS-W or edTPA.
Certification Exams
The Department is also aware that all U.S.- and Canada-based Pearson VUE-owned test centers are currently closed due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. While they are closed until April 16, it is possible that they may need to remain closed for a longer period of time, depending on the evolving pandemic.
If we find that these test centers remain closed beyond May 1, 2020, the Department will exempt candidates in registered EPPs whose student teaching, leadership experience, or similar clinical experience in spring of 2020 was impacted by COVID-19 from taking their certification exams (e.g., Educating All Students test, edTPA/ATS-W, Content Specialty Tests, School Building Leader assessment, School District Leader assessment).
For the exemption, education deans or their appropriate designee would send a list of these candidates (see above reference to this list) to the Office of Teaching Initiatives (OTI). Upon receipt of the information, OTI would make a note in the candidates’ TEACH account that they are exempt from the certification exams, including candidates who already took, but did not pass, one or more exams. Those candidates exempt from the certification exams will be issued their respective certificate(s) upon completion of all other certification requirements.
Mentoring During the First Year of Employment
For those teacher candidates in registered EPPs whose student teaching or similar clinical experience in spring of 2020 was impacted by COVID-19, New York State school districts and BOCES that employ them should provide additional induction supports. These supports can include, but are not limited to: additional professional learning opportunities targeted toward appropriate pedagogical skills, additional mentoring and coaching, and where applicable, co-teaching assignments.