new teacher q & a
Can I meet my state requirements by taking exams, online courses, or classes at out-of-state institutions? How can I be sure the State Education Department will accept these credits?
Feb 19, 2009 5:06 PM
A: Yes, you may be able to meet some state requirements in this way. For example, you can eliminate course credit deficiencies for your state certification requirements by getting passing grades on exams given by the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) or Excelsior College Examinations.
The exams you take should not duplicate any college courses you already took. If you have questions about these exams, call TeacherLine, an educational liaison in your UFT borough office or the union’s Department of Certification Services (1-212-420-1830).
Contact each testing company for information about which exams it offers, costs and registration procedures:
- CLEP offers exams in 35 subjects. For more information about CLEP, go to www.collegeboard.com.
- You can get current information about DANTES at www.getcollegecredit.com or by calling 1-877-471-9860.
- To check on Excelsior exams go to their Web site or call 1-888-72EXAMS.
The credits you earn by taking these tests also count toward the credit requirements for either the first or second salary differential. You will need to request a transcript from the testing company. The Department of Education will soon launch a new online application process for differentials. The New York Teacher will alert members once it is launched.
For the SED to accept course credits or degrees that you earned outside New York, whether you took them online or in person, they must be from regionally accredited institutions. Check the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) Web site at www.chea.org to determine whether or not an institution is regionally accredited. Be especially cautious before enrolling in online courses.
