New York State Exam New York State Teachers 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The New York State Teachers' Retirement System (NYSTRS) is classified as which type of retirement plan?
- Defined contribution plan (like a 401k)
- Defined benefit plan (Correct answer)
- Hybrid defined benefit/defined contribution plan
- Individual retirement account (IRA)
Correct answer: Defined benefit plan
NYSTRS is a defined benefit plan, meaning retirement income is based on a formula using years of service and final average salary rather than investment returns.
Question 2: A New York school district is experiencing a budget shortfall and must lay off teachers. Under Education Law, which teachers must be retained first?
- Those with the most seniority in the certification area being reduced (Correct answer)
- Those with the highest APPR ratings regardless of seniority
- Those most recently hired regardless of tenure status
- Those who teach core academic subjects under ESSA
Correct answer: Those with the most seniority in the certification area being reduced
New York's 'last in, first out' (LIFO) principle requires districts to lay off teachers in reverse order of seniority within each certification area.
Question 3: Under New York Education Law §2801, every school is required to adopt a code of conduct that must include all of the following EXCEPT:
- Standards for student dress and appearance
- Procedures for responding to incidents involving weapons
- A schedule of all teacher salaries (Correct answer)
- Standards for conduct on school property and at school functions
Correct answer: A schedule of all teacher salaries
Teacher salary schedules are negotiated through collective bargaining, not mandated as a component of the school code of conduct under §2801.
Question 4: Which New York initiative specifically requires that a teacher's effectiveness rating include a Student Learning Objectives (SLO) component?
- Dignity for All Students Act (DASA)
- Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) (Correct answer)
- Triborough Amendment
- Race to the Top
Correct answer: Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR)
Under APPR, teachers and evaluators collaboratively set Student Learning Objectives as a measurable component of the overall effectiveness rating.
Question 5: A New York teacher posts negative comments about a student by name on a personal social media account. This action most directly violates which regulation?
- IDEA confidentiality provisions
- FERPA student privacy protections (Correct answer)
- New York's Teacher Code of Ethics and professional conduct standards
- The Triborough Amendment
Correct answer: FERPA student privacy protections
Publicly disclosing identifiable student information on social media violates FERPA, which protects the privacy of student education records.
Question 6: In New York, a student classified as having a disability who is suspended for more than 10 school days must receive a:
- Functional Behavioral Assessment only
- Manifestation Determination Review (MDR) (Correct answer)
- New IEP meeting within 30 days
- Referral to an alternative school without further review
Correct answer: Manifestation Determination Review (MDR)
IDEA requires a Manifestation Determination Review to determine whether the behavior causing suspension is related to the student's disability before a long-term removal.
Question 7: Which New York Regents exam must students pass as part of the requirements for a Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation?
- Two math Regents exams and one science Regents exam
- One math Regents exam and one ELA Regents exam
- Three math Regents exams and one additional science Regents exam (Correct answer)
- Three math Regents and two science Regents exams
Correct answer: Three math Regents exams and one additional science Regents exam
The Advanced Designation requires passing three math Regents exams (Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II/Trigonometry) plus one additional science Regents exam.
New York State Exam New York State Teachers 5
The New York State Teachers' Retirement System (NYSTRS) is classified as which type of retirement plan?