TEACHER ASSISTANT LEVELS by Thelma
Shaw
LEVEL 1 - Effective April 13,
2006, Level 1 is now valid for three years with a possibility
of renewal for three additional years to meet the experience
requirement for the Level 2 Teaching Assistant Certificate. Level
1 requires the NYS exam, which is called the ATAS (Assessment
of Teaching Assistant Skills), the Child Abuse Workshop, School
Violence and Prevention Workshop and your fingerprint clearance.
Please be aware that you MUST take the first
ATAS exam that is offered after you are hired. If you are
continuing your education to become a teacher, you may take the
LAST exam in place of the ATAS exam.
LEVEL 2 – Valid for three
years and is not renewable. This level requires one year of experience
as a NYS Licensed Teaching Assistant. It is the choice of the
member/employee if they choose to maintain the level 2 status
or go to the level 3 status earlier than the 3 year time frame.
LEVEL 3 – Valid continuously
with the completion of 75 hours of Professional Development Hours
EVERY 5 years. Please be aware of the fact that the 5 year Professional
Development Cycle begins on July 1 following the issuance date
of the Level 3 Certificate. This means, don’t start
your Professional Development hours earlier or they won’t
be valid for use.
This level also requires one year experience
as a NYS Licensed Teaching Assistant and INS Permanent Residence
or U.S. Citizenship.
Pre Professional – Valid
for 5 years, may be renewed with matriculation in a Teacher Preparation
Program and completion of 30 semester hours of collegiate study.
This also requires enrollment in a NYS Registered Program in
Teacher Education and one year experience as a NYS Licensed Teaching
Assistant.
In addition to the above, just a few "other"
FYIs:
-
Remember, each level has a $35.00 fee
-
Teacher Assistants hired after Feb 1, 2004 are allowed to take
any of the Article 7 Staff Development Hours given monthly at
various BOCES sites.
-
Teacher Assistants hired before Feb 1, 2004 (with the exception
of the old BOCES 1 Teacher Assistants) do NOT have to take Professional
Development hours.
-
ALL Teahcer Assistant Certificates are PORTABLE. This is a
change in our understanding. It has recently come to our attention
that this was changed at the State level years ago.
-
It is YOUR choice as to HOW and WHEN you take the 75 hours
of Professional Development so long as they are completed within
the 5 year time frame.
