Qualified candidates who wish to pursue careers in early childhood or childhood education are encouraged to apply. Students may be accepted on a part-time or full-time basis. In addition to the requirements outlined on the How to Apply page, applicants must submit a sample of their undergraduate academic writing, or its equivalent, and have an interview with the program director and associate director to discuss their goals and to evaluate their transcripts in light of New York State teacher-certification requirements. Students are also urged to visit the campus to attend a class and meet with other students, faculty and the director of Graduate Studies. Sarah Lawrence is committed to seeking candidates from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.

New York State and Title II of the 1999 National Higher Education Act require schools offering teacher education programs to publish their institutional pass rates on State Teacher Exams. In the program year 2002-03, a total of 26 Sarah Lawrence students completed the Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written (ATS-W) examination. Of those, 25 passed, yielding a pass rate of 96 percent. The statewide pass rate for the ATS-W in 2002-03 was 97 percent. A total of 27 Sarah Lawrence students completed the Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST). Of those, 25 passed, yielding a pass rate of 93 percent. The statewide pass rate for the LAST in 2002-03 was 95 percent. Passing scores on both the LAST and ATS-W examinations are now exit criteria for this program.

Thirty-one students graduated from the Art of Teaching program in calendar year 2003. Our records to date show that fifteen are employed in elementary schools; six are teaching or directing in early childhood programs; four have not been in communication with us; three are working overseas; and two have elected to stay at home with their children.

According to the New York State Department of Labor, elementary school teaching is and will be among the projected largest growth occupations per year during the period 1998-2008: the projected largest number of net openings per year for elementary teachers is 4,020. In New York City the estimated openings per year are 230 for preschool teachers, 210 for kindergarten teachers and 2,340 for elementary teachers.