FAQs

1. What are FAQ’s?

FAQ stands for “frequently asked questions.” In conjunction with the philosophy and theme of the Department of Education of providing answers to frequently asked questions, we have added this component to our department’s website.

We will try to have diverse questions that will assist students to figure out what’s going on out there in the world of education: both here at Daemen College and elsewhere. You should start your journey here because chances are this question (that is, YOUR question) has been asked before.

2. I am an Early Childhood Education/Special Education major (B-2). What tests do I need to take, and pass, in order to secure my certification?

New York State also refers to this as “Teachers of Students with Disabilities (birth-grade 2).” You will need to take and pass:

The Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST),
The Elementary-Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written (ATS-W)
The Content Specialty Test (CST) in Disabilities
The Content Specialty Test (CST) in Multi-Subject.

See the education department’s website for more information. Test registration booklets are available in the TRC. Also, refer to the following NYS website for additional requirements and fees: http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/

The link to the New york State Teacher's Certification Examinations is: http://www.nystce.nesinc.com

3. I am a Childhood Education major (grades 1-6). What tests do I need to take, and pass, in order to secure my certification?

You will need to take and pass:

The Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST), The Elementary-Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written (ATS-W), The Content Specialty Test (CST) in Multi-Subject.

The link to the New york State Teacher's Certification Examinations is: http://www.nystce.nesinc.com

4. I am an Inclusive Childhood Education major (grades 1-6) (which will give me two certificates, one in childhood and one in special education). What tests do I need to take, and pass, in order to secure my certifications?

New York State also refers to this as “Teachers of Students with Disabilities (grade 1-6).” You will need to take and pass:

The Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST)
The Elementary-Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written (ATS-W)
The Content Specialty Test (CST) in Disabilities
The Content Specialty Test (CST) in Multi-Subject.

The link to the New york State Teacher's Certification Examinations is: http://www.nystce.nesinc.com

5. I am an Adolescent Education major (grades 7-12). What tests do I need to take, and pass, in order to secure my certification?

You will need to take and pass:

The Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST), The Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written (ATS-W), The Content Specialty Test (CST) in Subject area of your certificate.

The link to the New york State Teacher's Certification Examinations is: http://www.nystce.nesinc.com

6. I am an Art Education major. What tests do I need to take, and pass, in order to secure my certification?

You will need to take and pass:

The Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST), The Elementary-Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written (ATS-W), The Content Specialty Test (CST) in Visual Arts.

The link to the New york State Teacher's Certification Examinations is: http://www.nystce.nesinc.com

7. After I have graduated, do I enter a master’s program to secure a professional certificate or an initial/professional certificate?

If you are not adding an additional certificate, you would enroll in a program seeking a master’s degree in education with a professional certificate. For example, if you graduated with a degree in childhood education and you want to get a master’s in childhood education, then you would enroll in a professional certificate master’s program. HOWEVER, if you are adding a certificate, you would need to enroll in an initial/professional certificate program. For example, say you graduated with a childhood education degree, and you also want to secure your teaching certificate in special education, you are, in effect, adding a certificate and, as such, you will have to enroll in an initial/professional certification program.

8. What is the difference between initial/professional and professional certification programs?

The major differences are the number of credits between initial/professional (min. 39 credits) and professional (30 credits). Also, student enrolled in initial/professional will have to student teach again.

9. What are the requirements to secure a professional teaching certificate?

In addition to the master’s degree, you must have three years of teaching experience.

10. How long do I have to secure a master’s degree (and either an initial/professional or professional certification)?

As of February, 2005, you have five years to complete the master's degree from the time you secure your certification from New York State.

11. Can I get an extension to complete the master’s degree?

It is possible. Currently, the requirement for earning a master's degree is five years after a person gets certified in New York. Although there is a process for an extension, you will have to meet one of several conditions. Please refer to the following NYS website for additional information regarding extensions: http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/

12. What year do you start student teaching?

Technically, student teaching is your “capstone” exercise for completing your degree and will propel you to begin your professional teaching career, graduate school or both; thus, student teaching is completed in your senior year. Some students teach in the fall semester, some in the spring. There are plusses and minuses for each. Speak to your advisor about this when the time comes. Please also refer to the Daemen College catalogue and/or your curriculum design. You will find yours is in the TRC (Teaching Resource Center)—DS 348.

13. What master’s programs does Daemen College offer?

Click on the following link to get a full description of our graduate education programs: http://www.daemen.edu/academics/grad_education/

14. What is the Thomas Reynolds Center?

The Thomas Reynolds Center for Special Education and After-School Programs was established to provide services to school-age children and their families in order to assist students from partner school districts in bridging the academic gap these students are currently exhibiting. Click on the following link to get a full description of the Thomas Reynolds Center: http://www.daemen.edu/academics/education/CSEASP/index.htm

15. When should we take our teacher tests?

The following blurb was taken from the NYS Department of Education website:
When should I take the tests? A candidate may attempt any of the required tests at any time. Here are some guidelines:

o Liberal Arts and Sciences Test sophomore or junior year, after completion of most basic liberal arts and sciences course work.

o Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written upon completion of Pedagogy coursework and field experiences, as well as perhaps student teaching.

o Content Specialty Test May be completed in the junior year to help a candidate determine if additional coursework in the area of concentration is needed. For more information please go to the following website: http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/faqtests.htm

The link to the New york State Teacher's Certification Examinations is: http://www.nystce.nesinc.com

16. What are ways to prepare for New York State Teacher Certification Examinations?

For preparation guides go to: http://www.nystce.nesinc.com/NY_viewSG_opener.asp

The link to the New york State Teacher's Certification Examinations is: http://www.nystce.nesinc.com

Also, from time to time, we hear of special preparation classes. If you know of any let one of the faculty members know and we will send an e-mail to all education students via the list-serve.

17. Can you request who/where you’d like to be placed to student teach?

When you apply to student teach, on the application there is a section asking for the name and contact information for someone you are requesting to student teach with. We try to honor this, but sometimes this may not work out. But we do our best!

18. Can you explain fingerprinting?

As part of your certification, in addition to passing the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations, you will need to be fingerprinted (you will also have to attend project SAVE and complete a workshop on child abuse). The best place to have all of your questions answered about fingerprinting is this website: http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/ospra/index.html

19. What, when and where is Project SAVE?

The Safe Schools Against Violence in Education Act (Project SAVE) was signed into law in July 2000 to improve school safety in response to the rise of violence in our schools. Daemen offers Project SAVE at no cost to the students who are about to participate in student teaching. BOCES will also be able to provide this training, however, there is a fee for this.

20. Can you explain about the child abuse on-line course?

In order to secure your certification, you must have child abuse training. This can be accomplished at

http://www.childabuseworkshop.com/

21. How do I apply for upper division?

In order to be admitted to upper division (and allowed to take upper division classes), the following must be accomplished:

An overall quality point average of 2.55 or better for all completed college courses.
A quality point average of 2.55 or better in all Education courses.
A grade of “C” or better in EDU 267 Practicum in Teaching Language Arts at the Elementary School Level.
A grade of “C” or better in EDU 237 Instructional Design.
A grade of “C” or better in EDU 217/218.
Must compile and submit a Teaching Portfolio for review by department during Spring Semester of Sophomore Year. You can pick up the upper division rubric from the secretary of the education department in DS 348.

22. How many service hours do I need to preform in order to graduate from Daemen?

Currently, all education majors must take PHI 232 Learning Through Service. While enrolled in this class, each student needs to complete 60 hours of service. This is a requirement of the class. Additionally, each student must comply with the number of hours that are required for various methods courses as part of your curricula. All hours for PHI 232, methods courses and any community involvement should be turned in to the Service Learning Department.

23. What classes are categorized by upper and lower division classes?

INCLUSIVE ED/ CHILDHOOD .	CHILDHOOD ED.	EARLY CHILD/ SPECIAL ED

LOWER DIVISION	LOWER DIVISION	LOWER DIVISION

EDU 203	EDU 203	EDU 103
EDU 237	EDU 237	EDU 203
SED 270	SED 270	SED 270
EDU 217	EDU 217	ECSE 221
EDU 313	EDU 218	ECSE 279
SED 340	EDU 267	EDU 217
EDU 218	EDU 313	EDU 237
EDU 267		ECSE 222
SED 364		ECSE 280 EDU 303

UPPER DIVISION	UPPER DIVISION	UPPER DIVISION

EDU 316	EDU 316	EDU 321
SED 363	EDU 319	EDU 326
SED 401	EDU 320	SOC 303
EDU 319	SED 371	ECSE 324
EDU 320	EDU 327	EDU 320
SED 371	EDU 473	SED 371
EDU 327	EDU 474	ECSE 325
EDU 475		EDU 471/ EDU 472
SED 476		ECSE 473/ ECSE 474

24. When I student teach, what form will be used by the cooperating teacher to evaluate my performance?

My major is Adolescence Education.

My major is Art Education.

My major is Early Childhood/Special Education.

My major is Childhood/Inclusion Education.

My major is Childhood Education.

25. What needs to be done for the college to recommend me for my initial teaching certification?

1. Completion date (usually your graduation date/date of degree conferral).

2. Hard copy of Child Abuse Seminar.

3. Documentation of Project SAVE (if you took it at Daemen, it will be on your transcript). Otherwise, we will need a hard copy.

26. During student teaching I know I have to take EDU 327, Teaching to the Standards. What exactly will be the outcome of this class/my efforts?

Teaching to the Standards is designed to familiarize the student with the standards movement in New York State. This course will provide a national as well as state perspective on educational reform. The primary emphasis will involve a review of the seven content-area learning standards now in effect in New York State. A connection between curriculum, instruction, and assessment will be established, allowing students the opportunity to develop a learning experience that incorporates the New York State content standards. Implications of these standards with respect to individuals with disabilities will also be addressed. Click on the following link to view exemplars of what a learning experience looks like: http://www.daemen.edu/offices/teacher_leader/experiences.php

FAQs

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