Bethany Bump is reporting in the Times Union New York just made it easier for prospective teachers to become certified. The state Board of Regents Tue., Sep. 12, approved a number of changes to the certification process. Among the changes approved is a lower pass score for the exam developed by Stanford University that measures a candidate’s planning, instruction and testing abilities in a specific content area, like biology or social studies. In addition to written work, candidates must submit a portfolio of their work that includes video of their student teaching. Adopted in 2014 with a pass score of 41, the Regents agreed Tuesday to phase in a lower score over four years — starting with a cut score of 38 in 2018, increasing to a score of 39 in 2020, and eventually hitting 40 in 2022. Read the full story in the Times Union.