Education Program - New York State Teacher Certification Examination
NYSTCE: Candidates for certification must achieve qualifying scores on the appropriate New York State Teacher Certification Examination (NYSTCE) tests listed below:
Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST)
- Required for provisional/initial certificate in most titles.
- Covers historical and social-scientific conscious-ness, scientific and mathematical processes, artistic expression and the humanities.
- Format consists of 80 multiple-choice questions and a written assignment (essay question).
Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written (ATS-W)
- Required for provisional/initial certificate in most titles.
- Offered in two versions: elementary and secondary. (Candidates for K-12 certificates may elect either version.)
- Covers knowledge of the learner, instructional planning and assessment, instructional delivery, and the professional environment.
- Format consists of 80 multiple-choice questions and an extended written response.
Content Specialty Test (CST)
- Required for permanent/initial certificate in elementary (common branch), ESOL, and secondary academic subject titles.
- Required for provisional/initial certification in secondary academic subjects for candidates who do not possess a college concentration in the subject of the certificate.
- Covers content in the subject or subjects that the corresponding certificate authorizes the holder to teach.
- Format typically consists of multiple choice questions. Tests in languages other than English involve audiotaped listening and speaking sections.
Assessment of Teaching Skills-Performance (ATS-P).
- Required for permanent certificate in certain titles.
- Format consists of a 30 minute videotaped sample of the candidate teaching in his/her classroom of record.
For more information about NYSCTE tests, please visit the New York State Office of Teaching Initiatives website.
Questions, Comments, Suggestions?
If you would like more information about the education program at Plattsburgh State, please contact
Departments of Educational Studies and Services
Office: Sibley 302, Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Phone: (518) 564-2122
Fax: (518) 564-2149
E-mail: education@plattsburgh.edu