Academic Literacy Skills Test (ALST) Safety Net
The ALST Safety Net allows any candidate who takes and fails the ALST to submit an attestation form attesting that the candidate has demonstrated comparable literacy skills consistent with what would be assessed by the ALST through course completion and that the candidate received a grade of "B" (3.0 on a 4 point scale) or higher in such coursework. This safety net will be implemented RETROACTIVELY and will apply to anyone who has failed the ALST.
 
The course must meet the following guidelines set forth by NYSED: 
The candidate has demonstrated that he/she has critical reading and writing skills that reflect wide, deep, and thoughtful engagement with a range of high-quality, complex informational and literary texts. The candidate has further demonstrated command of evidence found in texts and has used cogent reasoning to analyze and synthesize ideas. The candidate has established complex and nuanced writing by choosing words, information, and structure deliberately for a given task, purpose, and audience.
 
Attestation Form – COMPLETE SECTIONS I & II, SIGN, SUBMIT TO NYSED

ALST Safety Net Courses

EAS Exam Safety Net
The Safety Net passing score for the EAS has been set to 500. The original passing score was 520. The passing status has been adjusted in TEACH for those candidates who had a score between 500 and 520.  If a candidate now has a passing score based on the Safety Net passing score, the EAS exam requirement in TEACH will be checked off in the list of requirements.  If a passing score on the EAS was the last requirement for certification, the certification should show as issued.  

More on the EAS update here.

Safety Net Refund Policy
Information regarding refunds for exams that meet safety net requirements can be found here.

Note: Neither Pearson nor the Department can issue a refund for a test a candidate has already taken.

Information updated on Jun. 30, 2016