Educator Resources

Memos to the Field

Below are links to memos to the field by the Deputy Commissioner for the of Higher Education or the Assistant Commissioner for the Office of Teaching Initiatives.  Memos start from February 2003.  Please be aware that recent policy decisions supercede information in older memos.

Date Subject
December 2012 Certification Examination Guidance and Framework Documents
December 2012 Certification Examination Development
October 2011 The General Science Extension as represented in NYS Basic Educational Data System (BEDS)
September 2011 Fingerprinting Sports Officials
April 2011 Professional Certificate - Master's Degree Requirement
November 2010 New Teacher & School Building Leader Performance-Based Assessment for Initial Certification
August 2010 Performance Evaluations for Teachers and Principals
April 2010 April Regents Actions – Teacher Certification Flexibility
April 2010 School Leadership certification examination schedule revised
December 2009 Electronic Certification Records
October 2009 Conditional Clearances
July 2009 Internship Certificate Fee
June 2009 2009-2010 School Leadership Assessments Update & Schedule
June 2009 Credentialing of Athletic Coaches
May 2009 Tenure for Teachers in Instructional Support Service Positions
March 2009

Important Updates: Fingerprinting and Criminal Background Check Program
December 2008 Recent Statutory and Regulatory Changes Regarding §211 Waiver Requests
December 2008 Career and Technical Education – Required College Coursework
October 2008 Career and Technical Education Teaching Positions
July 2008 Effective Dates of Initial Certificates in Specific Career and Technical Education Subjects
June 2008 Update - School Leadership Certification Examination
April 2008 School Leadership Update
October 2007 LIVESCAN - Fingerprinting Initiative
June 2007 Clarifying information regarding the date by which newly-certified teachers can begin employment
June 2006 Educational Technology Specialists
June 2006 Guidance on recordkeeping and reporting the required professional development completed by teachers and teaching assistants in your schools
June 2006 Changes provide one-time opportunity to renew expired provisional pupil personnel services and administrator certificates, and additional time for teaching assistants to meet certification requirements
April 2004 Recent amendments to teacher certification provisions
January 2004 Amendment of Professional Development Plans to include Mentoring Programs--8 NYCRR §100.2. (dd)
December 2003

Statement of Continued Eligibility for individuals currently teaching subjects or classes using American Sign Language (ASL) as the medium of instruction; subjects or classes within A Gifted and Talented Program; or Theater

Disclaimer: The information on this page is current as of the date of the memo and may be superceded by newer information.

Last Updated: December 18, 2012
December 18, 2012