For students in our undergraduate and graduate education program who are seeking accommodations for their NYSTCE teacher certification exams please read the information below.
Students who would like to utilize accommodations need to fill out a request form through the NYSTCE website, this should be completed at least 6 weeks before you plan on taking your first exam. The NYSTCE website lists an overview of how to request alternative testing arrangements, please read through that thoroughly.
You will need to submit the "alternative testing arrangement request form". This form provides you with two different options for requesting accommodations for the first time.
- Option 1: You submit documentation of your disability and list the accommodations that you are requesting on their request form.
- Option 2: You request that SUNY Potsdam fill out the "Institutional Verification of Documentation Form." When utilizing this route, NYSTCE does not see your documentation and relies on the college for verification. Your documentation must have your diagnosis disability, name and credentials of diagnosing professional, a date of the evaluation, and have been administered within the past five years. If you documentation does not meet those standards SUNY Potsdam cannot fill out the "Institutional Verification Form"
Please note colleges are limited to only checking off a limited number of accommodations which are:
- 50% extra time (time and one half)
- Sign language interpreter (for communication with test center staff)
- Braille test format
- Screen magnification software allowing for magnification greater than 200% (all candidates have access to visual enhancement features, including color contrast and font enlargement up to 200%, without prior approval)
For any other accommodation not listed above that you need for reasonable access you will need to follow option 1 and submit documentation with your request.
Students may wish to register with SUNY Potsdam Office of Accommodative Services (OAS) if you would like us to fill out the "Institutional Verification of Documentation Form”, but you do not have to be registered with OAS in order to receive accommodations on your teaching exams.
If you would like help navigating this process, please contact oas@potsdam.edu.
Requesting Accommodations for NYSTCE Teacher Certification Exams
This guide provides essential information for undergraduate and graduate students in our education program who are seeking accommodations for their NYSTCE teacher certification exams.
- Action: You must complete an accommodation request form directly through the official NYSTCE website.
- Deadline: Submit your request at least six weeks before your planned first exam date.
- Resource: Thoroughly read the "Overview of How to Request Alternative Testing Arrangements" on the NYSTCE website. This document provides detailed instructions.
The NYSTCE "Alternative Testing Arrangement Request Form" offers two primary options for requesting accommodations for the first time:
Option 1: Direct Documentation Submission (NYSTCE Reviews Your Documentation)
- Process: Submit comprehensive documentation of your disability directly to NYSTCE.
- Action: Clearly list all requested accommodations on the NYSTCE request form.
- Best For: Candidates requesting accommodations beyond those able to be selected by SUNY Potsdam (see "Limited Accommodations Verified by SUNY Potsdam" below).
Option 2: SUNY Potsdam Institutional Verification (NYSTCE Relies on College Verification)
- Process: Request that SUNY Potsdam complete the "Institutional Verification of Documentation Form" on your behalf.
- Benefit: With this option, NYSTCE does not review your personal disability documentation; they rely on our college's verification.
- Documentation Requirements for SUNY Potsdam Verification: For SUNY Potsdam to complete this form, your disability documentation must meet the following standards:
- Include your specific diagnosis.
- State the name and credentials of the diagnosing professional.
- Include the date of the evaluation.
- Have been administered within the past five years.
- Important: If your documentation does not meet these criteria, SUNY Potsdam cannot complete the "Institutional Verification Form." In such cases, you will need to proceed with Option 1.
Limited Accommodations Verified by SUNY Potsdam (Option 2)
Please be aware that SUNY Potsdam can only verify a limited number of specific accommodations via the "Institutional Verification of Documentation Form" (Option 2). These include:
- 50% extra time (time and one half)
- Sign language interpreter (for communication with test center staff)
- Braille test format
- Screen magnification software allowing for magnification greater than 200% (Note: All candidates have access to visual enhancement features, including color contrast and font enlargement up to 200%, without prior approval.)
For any other accommodation not listed above that you need for reasonable access, you must follow Option 1 and submit your documentation directly to NYSTCE with your request.
SUNY Potsdam Office of Accommodative Services (OAS)
- Registration with OAS is Optional for NYSTCE Accommodations: You do not have to be registered with the SUNY Potsdam Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) to receive accommodations for your NYSTCE exams.
- Benefit of OAS Registration for Option 2: However, if you wish for SUNY Potsdam to fill out the "Institutional Verification of Documentation Form" (Option 2), we need you to register with OAS.
Need Assistance?
If you would like help navigating this process, understanding your options, or have questions about your documentation, please contact the Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) at oas@potsdam.edu.