Becoming a Teacher in California
Each state has its own regulations dictating what
qualifies an individual to be a certificated teacher. The State
of California has some of the most rigorous requirements in the
nation to earn a California Teaching Credential. This is both positive
and negative. Your professional development in becoming an educator
will take longer and be more expensive, however, a fully certificated
California Teacher is highly marketable in most other states.
In California, a teaching Candidate must first be in possession
of at least Bachelor of Arts or Science, in almost any subject area,
from an accredited university.
FIFTH YEAR CREDENTIAL PROGRAM
After your BA or BS you need to earn a credential. California requires
professional training for certificated teachers. A credential is
California's certification that an individual has completed all
steps and passed all tests required of teachers. A credential program
is designed to develop expertise in the skills of teaching and include
foundations and methods classes as well as student teaching.
Students learn such skills as classroom management, lesson planning,
and curriculum development. Usually, but not necessarily, students
begin the credential program after earning the bachelor's degree.
Thus it is referred to a "Fifth Year Program".
The traditional fifth-year Teacher Education Program, in which a
candidate attends university classes while student teaching at a
local school, results in a Preliminary Single
Subject or Multiple
Subject Credential. This credential is valid for five years
and is not renewable. During this five-year period the individual
is expected to complete additional credential requirements. When
these requirements are completed, the individual applies for the Clear Credential.
For Elementary (Multiple
Subject)
To teach elementary school in California, you must have the Multiple
Subject Teaching Credential, which authorizes teaching in preschool,
kindergarten, grades 1-12, and classes for adults.
For Secondary (Single Subject)
To teach middle or secondary school in California, you must have
the Single Subject Teaching Credential. This credential authorizes
public school teaching in specific subjects in a departmentalized
classroom such as those in most middle schools or high schools.
Teaching in these subjects may be authorized for preschool, kindergarten,
grades 1-5, and classes organized primarily for adults.
INTERN CREDENTIAL PROGRAM
A candidate is admitted to a credential program through a partnership
between a university and a school district, results in a two-year Intern Credential.
The teacher works full time on contract while attending summer and
evening classes. At the end of the intern period the successful
candidate receives a Preliminary Single or Multiple Subject Credential.
For general information about the teaching profession visit: http://www.teachcalifornia.org/
HOW DO I PREPARE FOR ADMISSION TO A TEACHING CREDENTIAL PROGRAM?
Obtain Some Teaching Experience
Try teaching and find out if you like it! Forty-five hours of observation
and participation in appropriate grade level classrooms (elementary
K-5, middle school 6-8, high school 9-12, or special education)
with a certificated teacher are required for admission to many credential
program. You may already know which grade levels and type of teaching
you most enjoy; if not, you can investigate some or all of these
types of teaching and then complete at least 45 hours in the level
of your choice. The more experience you have in public school classrooms,
the better prepared you will be for your credential methods courses
and student teaching.
Pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test, or CBEST
Second in the process of becoming an educator, a teaching candidate
must take and pass the CBEST. This test is to show proficiency in
the basic subject matter including mathematics, reading, and writing.
It is written at a high elementary to low middle school grade level.
Sounds simple...right? Well, most people forget the rules that govern
basic math and grammar. There are books that will help you pass
the CBEST. For more information about CBEST: http://www.cbest.nesinc.com/
Pass the CSET
To be eligible to teach and hold a California Teaching Credential,
you must also pass the CSET, or the California Subject Examinations
Test. The CSET is your third step in becoming a teacher with a California
Teaching Credential and having a teaching job. This test is much
more rigorous than the CBEST. It consists of all content areas of
teaching, from science, to health, language arts, and art. There
are many books and preparation kits available to assist you in passing
this test. You are given five hours to take the test. Many people
need every second of the five hours. For more information about
the CSET visit: http://www.cset.nesinc.com/.
Most teacher credential programs require passage of this test to
gain entry into the program.
In place of the CSET, individuals interested in getting a Single
Subject Credential to teach in high school may be able to satisfy
the subject area competency requirement by completing an approved
Subject Matter Program from an accredited California college or
university. Contact the Education Department of your university
to find out if it has one or more of these programs.
After passing the CSET, you can enroll in a teacher credential program
at a college or university. Most Universities offer a California
Teaching Credential preparation program through their graduate Department
of Education.
Satisfy the US Constitution Requirement
In addition to the CSET assessment, you must also pass a US Constitutional
Requirement. This requirement can be satisfied by taking a class
that involves Constitutional Law, or by examination. Most universities
offer the examination and many allow you to satisfy this requirement
once you are in their teacher credential program.
