Assessment Platform

All students are required to have a membership to the adopted assessment platform (Watermark). The cost of the membership is covered by a course fee that will be assessed when you register for SED353 Field Work #1. Instructions for setting up your membership will be sent via email before the midpoint of the semester when you register for this class.

Child Protection Policy

The SUNY system-wide Child Protection Policy sets protocols and mandates for campuses to follow when SUNY has children in its care, custody, and control. To learn more about the CPP and its training modules, visit the School of Education homepage.

Fingerprinting

All teacher candidates must be fingerprinted through MorphoTrust upon acceptance into an education degree program1. We recommend that you complete this State-mandated process as soon as possible after you are admitted to the program. First, self-register to create a TEACH Login Account, then make an appointment through Identogo.

For detailed information about fingerprinting, see the School of Education's certification guidance. In addition, NYSED publishes Fingerprint Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Specialized Training and Workshops

In addition to required coursework in education and a liberal arts major, specialized training and workshops are required for all New York State educator-preparation programs leading to an Initial Certificate. A summary of requirements for teacher certification in New York State is available on NYSED's Office of Teaching Initiatives' website. For guidance specific to New Paltz, see Education Program & Certification Advisor on the School of Education website.

You are advised to complete the following State-mandated workshops prior to your fieldwork placements.

  • Child Abuse Identification Workshop: All candidates for teacher certification will complete a State-mandated two-hour training lecture on recognizing and reporting child abuse or neglect. Group sessions will be provided on campus, or students may take the training from social service agencies, community colleges, or BOCES. This is not a credit course and evidence of training must be documented on candidates' transcripts.
  • Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) Training: All students will complete a six-hour training in the prevention of bullying and harassment. Training is provided periodically on campus or may be taken through BOCES or another approved provider. This is not a credit course and evidence of training must be documented on students' transcripts.
  • Schools Against Violence in Education (SAVE) Act Training: All students will complete a two-hour workshop in school violence prevention. Workshops are held periodically on campus or may be taken elsewhere through an approved provider. This is not a credit course and evidence of training must be documented on students' transcripts.
  • Training in Health & Safety Education: This 0-credit online training (EDI095 Training in Health & Safety Education) includes topics mandated by New York State Education Law for teacher candidates. The four video modules provide information on the means for instructing students for the purpose of preventing alcohol, tobacco, and other drug abuse (Education Law section 804); instructing students in fire and arson prevention (Education Law section 808); providing safety education as it pertains to highway safety, traffic regulations, and bicycle safety (Education Law section 806); and instructing students for preventing child abduction (Education Law section 803-a).

Student Teaching

Student teaching is a capstone experience for all undergraduate elementary and secondary teacher candidates seeking a bachelor's degree. It is a full-time commitment extending for an entire semester with placements in two different settings. As such, the School of Education requires that all required coursework is completed before the capstone experience begins, and it restricts secondary teacher candidates from taking any other course(s) while registered for student teaching except the co-requisite SED407 Fieldwork #3 and SED406 Student Teaching Seminar .

Requirements to Student Teach

  • Grade of B or better in Methods Course2
  • Approval of Coordinator and Chair

Transportation

Students are responsible for their own transportation to field and student-teaching placements and must be prepared to commute up to 45 miles, one way, to these placements.

New York State Certification Examinations

  • Educating All Students Test (EAS)
  • Content Specialty Test(s) (CST) in the area of certification

See New York State Teacher Certification Examinations - Tests.

1

New Paltz education programs require an internship, field experience, study abroad component, or clinical experience. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions. If applicants have concerns about this matter (or any past legal or background history), please contact the Dean’s Office of the intended academic program.

2

GPA Requirements for Methods: All Adolescence Education (7-12) students must have a 3.0 GPA to register for methods. Students unable to meet this GPA prerequisite will be advised to change their major so they can graduate in a timely manner.