Office of Teaching Initiatives

New Literacy (All Grades) Certificate Created

At its September 2022 meeting, the New York State Board of Regents voted to establish the Literacy (All Grades) certificate effective September 28, 2022. The new certificate permits individuals to teach literacy in pre-Kindergarten through grade 12 in New York State public schools. Additionally, the "remedial reading" tenure area was changed to "literacy and reading". The key changes to the regulations are described below.

Literacy Certificates

• Literacy (All Grades) Certificate Requirements. The certificate types, pathways, and requirements for the Literacy (All Grades) certificate title will be listed on the Search Certification Requirements webpage in early 2023. When this update occurs, the application for this new certificate will also be available in the TEACH system.
• For the practicum requirement, applicants must complete a college-supervised practicum of at least 50 clock hours in teaching literacy to students across the grade range of the student developmental levels of the certificate, including pre-kindergarten through grade 4 and grades 5 through 12. One year of paid, satisfactory, full-time experience as a literacy teacher at the elementary and/or secondary level may be accepted in lieu of the practicum in literacy.
• Current Literacy certificates. Individuals who hold a Literacy (Birth-Grade 6) or Literacy (Grades 5-12) certificate will not be required to obtain the new Literacy (All Grades) certificate by the Department, as those certificates will continue to be recognized in the future. They can choose to pursue the Literacy (All Grades) certificate, if they wish.
• Individuals will be able to apply for the Literacy (Birth-Grade 6) and/or Literacy (Grades 5-12) certificates through the individual evaluation pathway prior to September 1, 2023, and will be eligible for these certificates provided that they meet all requirements for the certificate prior to September 1, 2026.
• Literacy (Birth-Grade 6) and Literacy (Grades 5-12) certificates will be phased out in the future. Specifically, the Department will no longer issue certificates in the Literacy (Birth-Grade 6) and Literacy (Grades 5-12) certificate titles, other than for the Professional certificate and reissuance of an Initial certificate, with an effective date that begins after September 1, 2027. The Professional certificate and reissuance of an Initial certificate in these certificate titles will continue to be issued.
• Literacy (Birth-Grade 6) and Literacy (Grades 5-12) certificates can continue to receive a time extension after September 1, 2027.

New York State Registered Literacy Programs

• Literacy (All Grades) Programs. New York State institutions of higher education can apply to register Literacy (All Grades) programs beginning September 28, 2022. The registration requirements for this program, including the coursework and clinical experience requirements, are posted on the Office of College and University Evaluation (OCUE) website.
• Literacy (Birth-Grade 6) and Literacy (Grades 5-12) Programs. The Department will no longer register programs leading to the current Literacy (Birth-Grade 6) and Literacy (Grades 5-12) certificates on or after October 1, 2022. For institutions that have existing Literacy (Birth-Grade 6) and/or Literacy (Grades 5-12) programs, the programs will be discontinued on or after September 1, 2026.
• For currently registered programs leading to Literacy (Birth-Grades 6) and/or Literacy (Grades 5-12) certification, institutions may (1) submit a new Literacy (All Grades) program application with a narrative describing the discontinuance or teach-out of the current program(s), or (2) keep the currently registered program(s) and submit a program change form to revise the program(s) to meet the Literacy (All Grades) registration requirements. For program change applications, institutions should also include a request for a placeholder (and accompanying termination date for the placeholder), which will allow currently enrolled candidates to complete the previous version of the Literacy (Birth-Grade 6) and Literacy (Grades 5-12) programs. If you need assistance determining which option is best for your institution, please contact OCUEinfo@nysed.gov and an Associate will review your options.