91±¬ÁÏ

High-quality educator preparation and a clear, well-supported certification process are essential to strengthening New York State’s educator workforce. This work is grounded in strong collaboration between Local Education Agencies (LEAs), Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs), and other partners who jointly design programs, align coursework and clinical practice to state standards, and ensure candidates are well prepared to meet certification requirements.

This page highlights statewide initiatives and resources that support this shared responsibility and help aspiring teachers and school leaders navigate their preparation and certification pathways.

• New York State Path Forward Initiative: A state-led effort to improve literacy instruction by embedding evidence-based practices grounded in the science of reading into educator preparation programs and certification requirements.
• Office of College and University Evaluation (OCUE): The 91±¬ÁÏ office that provides regulatory oversight of degree-granting institutions and programs of study, including those that prepare and recommend candidates for educator certification.
• : The 91±¬ÁÏ office responsible for educator certification, providing guidance on certification requirements, pathways, applications, and professional responsibilities for teachers and school leaders across New York State.
• Preparation Resources: Resources and guidance to support partnerships, program design, and alignment of educator preparation with state standards and certification expectations.
• Principal Preparation Project: A statewide initiative that brings together district leaders, IHEs, and practitioners to strengthen principal preparation through aligned standards, robust clinical practice, and research-informed program design.
• Teacher Development Programs: Programs that support teacher preparation, mentoring, diversity pipelines, and other pathways into certification and the teaching profession.
• : Grant-funded residency models that partner IHEs with school districts and BOCES to provide yearlong, graduate-level teacher residencies leading to certification in high-need areas.