Niagara Falls City School District

School professionals (teachers, paraprofessionals, counselors, psychologists and social workers) who are applying for state certification after December 31, 2013 must take this six-hour course. This includes members who are applying for new certificates (for example, paraprofessionals going from a Level 1 to a Level 2 or 3).

Members who meet the following criteria do not need to take the course: a) permanently or professionally certified; b) hired prior to 2004; c) Level 3 certificate holders (paras) and applicants for certification prior to Jan. 1, 2014.

Effective with applications submitted after September 1, 2009, all candidates for a Classroom Teaching certificate in all areas of Special Education are required to complete coursework or training from a State Education Department approved provider of such training.

This requirement applies to three groups of applicants:

1. After September 1, 2009 applicants for an Initial certificate in one of the following certificate titles:
   • Students with Disabilities Early Childhood Birth – Grade 2
   • Students with Disabilities Childhood Grades 1-6
   • Students with Disabilities Middle Childhood Generalist Grades 5-9
   • Students with Disabilities Middle Childhood Academic Subjects Grades 5-9
   • Students with Disabilities Adolescence Academic Subjects Grades 7-12
   • Deaf and Hard of Hearing
   • Blind and Visually Impaired
   • Speech and Language Disabilities
     
     
2. After September 1, 2009, for a Professional certificate in the certificate titles listed in #1.
   
   
3. After September 1, 2009, applicants holding a Provisional certificate and progressing to the Permanent certificate in each of the following certificate titles:
   • Special Education
   • Deaf and Hearing Impaired
   • Blind and Partially Sighted
   • Speech and Hearing Handicapped
     

The Office of College and University Evaluations maintains a listing of approved providers of the Coursework or Training in the Needs of Students with Autism.  There you will find approved providers listed alphabetically by city.  After completing the minimum three clock hours of coursework or training, send the approved provider’s certificate of completion to the Office of Teaching Initiatives at 89 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12234.

Any individual completing a New York State registered teacher education program leading to a recommendation for any of the certificate titles listed above on or after September 1, 2008, will have had the required coursework or training in the needs of students with autism included in their special education program.  These individuals do not need to submit documentation for this requirement.