How to Become a NYC Certified Teacher: Part 2: Tests Needed to Be Taken.

The New York State Teacher Certification Examination Program was developed to make sure that teachers have the pedagogical knowledge and proficiency necessary to be a school leader in the public school system. This testing program is run by the National Evaluation Systems, Inc. for the New York State Education Department.

As with the degree requirements, different sets of tests are needed to be taken depending on the certification you are going for. Here we will discuss the various tests which may be needed based on your road to certification.

Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST):

· The LAST is a multiple-choice choice which also includes a written assignment. Individuals taking the exam are asked to demonstrate conceptual and analytical skills, critical-thinking and communication skills, and multicultural awareness. Topics included in the test are scientific, mathematical, and technological processes; historical and social scientific awareness; artistic expression and the humanities; communication and research skills; and written analysis and expression.

Elementary Assessment of Teaching Skills—Written (ATS–W):

· This test includes multiple choice questions and a written assignment which evaluates the individuals’ pedagogical knowledge at the Early Childhood (birth–grade 2) and Childhood (grades 1–6) levels.

Secondary Assessment of Teaching Skills— Written (ATS–W):

· This test includes multiple choice questions and a written assignment which evaluates the individuals pedagogical knowledge at the Middle Childhood (grades 5–9) and Adolescence (grades 7–12) levels.

Content Specialty Tests (CSTs):

· The CSTs (English language) includes multiple choice questions and a written assignment. The CSTs for languages other than English include recorded listening and/or speaking parts and writing parts. CSTs measure content knowledge and abilities individuals prospective certification. These tests range from agriculture to visual arts.

Bilingual Education Assessments (BEAs):

· The BEAs are necessary for candidates seeking a bilingual education extension to a certificate. This test includes multiple choice questions and constructed-response assignments. The questions include listening, speaking, reading, and writing part in the intended language.

Communication and Quantitative Skills Test (CQST):

· The CQST includes multiple-choice questions. This test leads to a Transitional A certificate or an initial certificate (nondegree route) in career and technical education subjects.

Assessment of Teaching Skills—Performance (ATS–P) (Video):

· This test consists of video samples which are recorded in the individual’s classroom. The candidate submits a 20- to 30-minute video-recorded sample of his or her teaching performance in a classroom of students who are included in the candidate’s regular teaching assignment.

All tests except for the (ATS–P) (Video) are scored the same way and on the same scale. All scores are reported in arrange between 100 and 300. A score of 220 or more is passing while a score under 220 is failing. More information about preparation for the tests and which tests need to be taken according to degree can be found here.

Our next article will take a look at Alternate Paths to Certification in NYC.