Secondary Teacher Preparation in Social
Studies: New York

Analysis of New York's policies

New York only offers secondary certification in general social studies. Coursework requirements include study in economics, government, and at least a total of 21 semester hours of study in the history and geography of the United States and the world. Candidates must pass the NYSTCE "Social Studies" test. Teachers with this license are not limited to teaching general social studies but rather can teach any of the topical areas.

Middle school social studies teachers in New York have the option of a middle grades specialist certificate, which requires a major in social studies that includes study in economics, government, and at least 21 semester hours in both U.S. and world history and geography. Candidates must pass the NYSTCE "Social Studies" test. Those teaching grades 7 and 8 in a K-8 setting, however, are required to earn a generalist in middle childhood education certificate and must only pass the state's multi-subject exam. 

Citation

Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Part 52.21 New York State Teacher Certification Examinations www.nystce.nesinc.com

Recommendations for New York

Require secondary social studies teachers to pass tests of content knowledge for each social studies discipline they intend to teach.
States that allow general social studies certifications—and do not require content tests for each area—are not ensuring that these secondary teachers possess adequate subject-specific content knowledge. New York's assessment combines all subject areas (e.g., history, geography, economics) and does not report separate scores for each subject area. Therefore, candidates could answer many history questions, for example, incorrectly, yet still be licensed to teach history to high school students.

Require all middle school science teachers to pass a test of content knowledge that ensures sufficient knowledge of science.
Although New York's specialist option ensures requisite subject matter knowledge, the state's generalist option falls short. The multi-subject exam combines English, math, science, social studies, fine arts, health and fitness, and family and consumer science and career development and does not report separate scores for each subject area.

State response to our analysis

New York recognized the factual accuracy of this analysis.