Middle School Content Knowledge: New York

Analysis of New York's policies

Content Test Requirements: New York offers single-subject certifications for grades 5-9. These candidates must pass a single-subject content test. For K-8 schools that offer non-departmentalized middle grades, New York requires a Generalist in Middle Childhood Education (grades 5-9) certificate. These candidates must pass the New York State Teacher Certification Examination (NYSTCE) middle school multi-subject content specialty test, which, according to the framework, is divided into three separately scored subtests. The first includes literacy and English language arts, the second focuses on math and the third combines arts and sciences.

Academic Requirements: Middle School candidates in New York must also earn a bachelor's degree or higher that must include: a general education core in the liberal arts and sciences, a content core, and a pedagogical core. Candidates can fill the content core requirements by completing a major or the equivalent in a core subject or liberal arts and sciences.

Citation

Test Requirement www.nystce.nesinc.com Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, Part 52.21 Certification Requirements http://eservices.nysed.gov/teach/certhelp/CertRequirementHelp.do

Recommendations for New York

Require content testing in all core areas.
As a condition of initial licensure, all candidates teaching multiple subjects in the middle grades in New York should have to pass a subject-matter test in every core academic area they intend to teach. New York is on the right track by administering a three-part licensing test for those teaching in K-8 schools, thus making it harder for teachers to pass if they fail some subject areas. However, the state is encouraged to further strengthen its policy and require separate passing scores for each subject on its multiple-subject test. To ensure meaningful middle school content tests, the state should set its passing scores to reflect high levels of performance.

Strengthen middle school teachers' subject-matter preparation.
New York should encourage middle school teachers to earn two subject-matter minors. This would allow candidates to gain sufficient knowledge to pass state licensing tests, and it would increase schools' staffing flexibility.

State response to our analysis

New York noted that the Multi-Subject Content Specialty test consists of three parts: 1) literacy and English language arts, 2) mathematics, and 3) art and sciences where 40% of this part's test score is based on science and technology, 40% is based on social studies, and 20% is based on fine arts, health and fitness, family and consumer science, and career development. The state asserted that the Multi-Subject: Teachers of Middle Childhood (Grades 5-9) Test addresses every core academic area in which the middle school generalist is certified to teach.

Updated: December 2017