Licensure Loopholes: New York

Analysis of New York's policies

New York allows new teachers who have not met the state's licensure requirements to teach under the Conditional Initial License. This certificate may be granted to individuals who hold a certificate in an equivalent title from another state but who have not met New York's testing requirements. The license is valid for two years. 

Citation

Types of Certificates http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/typesofcerts.html#ci

Recommendations for New York

Ensure that all teachers pass required subject-matter licensing tests before they enter the classroom.
All students are entitled to teachers who know the subject matter they are teaching. Permitting individuals who have not yet passed state licensing tests to teach neglects the needs of students, instead extending personal consideration to adults who may not be able to meet minimal state standards. New York should ensure that all teachers pass licensing tests— an important minimum benchmark for entering the profession—before entering the classroom.

Limit exceptions to one year.
There might be limited and exceptional circumstances under which conditional or emergency licenses need to be granted. In these instances, it is reasonable for a state to give teachers up to one year to pass required licensing tests. New York's current policy puts students at risk by allowing teachers to teach on a Conditional Initial License for two years without passing required licensing tests. 

State response to our analysis

New York recognized the factual accuracy of this analysis.