Teaching Credentials

What is a Teaching Credential?

A credential is an

authorization to teach

a subject or subjects in

a school setting

grades K-12

What is the purpose of a Teaching Credential?

Thanks to No Child Left Behind All Teachers in the United States must be “Highly

Qualified” to teach

What does it mean to be “Highly Qualified”?

According to the Federal Government teachers must hold at least a bachelors degree be appropriately licensed by the state demonstrate subject matter competency

To earn any California teaching credential the following requirements must be met:

Bachelor's Degree or higher from a regionally accredited university

Teacher preparation program: credential program, including student teaching Instructs K-12 teacher candidates on

how to teach the subject matter in which they have demonstrated competency

To earn any California teaching credential the following requirements must be met:

RICA —for multiple subject credential

TB Skin Test & Fingerprint Clearance

To earn any California teaching credential the following requirements must be met:

Developing English Language Skills (reading instruction course)

U.S. Constitution course

To earn any California teaching credential the following requirements must be met:

CSET – Subject matter competence 3 Tests Good for 5 years

CBEST Basic Skills

Requirement

• CBEST scores do not expire. Tests basic reading, mathematics, &

writing skills found to be important for the job of an educator the test is not designed to measure the

ability to teach those skills.

For more information on the CBEST log on to www.cbest.nesinc.com

Teacher Credentials

Multiple Subject: K – 8

Single Subject: 9 – 12

Multiple Subject Credential

Gives authorization to teach more than one subject by one individual, such as in an elementary school

Multiple Subject CredentialSubject Matter Competence

Elementary Teachers Must Know…

Language Arts

Math

Science

Social Science

Visual & Performing Arts

Physical Education and Human Development

*All new elementary school teachers must demonstrate

subject matter competence by obtaining a passing score on the CSET

Multiple Subject CredentialSubject Matter Competence

California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET):

Multiple Subjects

Section I: Language Arts & Social Science

Section II: Mathematics & Science

Section III: Arts, Physical Education, Human Development

Single Subject Credential

Authorizes an individual to teach

only a single subject, such as in

a classroom in a

departmentalized high school or

junior high school.

Single Subject CredentialSubject Matter Competence

Can be met by one of two ways:

A. Complete a degree in the field that is like your credentialor

B. Passing the state-approved subject matter exam (CSET)

Single Subject CredentialWhat Can I Teach?

Best to Major in the subject you want to teachSingle Subject Credential Areas

AgricultureArtBiological Sciences (Specialized)BusinessChemistry (Specialized)EnglishFoundational-Level MathematicsFoundational-Level General ScienceGeosciences (Specialized)Health ScienceHome Economics

Industrial and Technology EducationLanguages other than English (Specialized)MathematicsMusicPhysical Education / KinesiologyPhysics (Specialized)Science: BiologyScience: ChemistryScience: GeosciencesScience: PhysicsSocial Science

Assignment

Respond to the following questions: What do you believe is the reason teachers

must complete a credentialing program? Identify the key differences between a

Multiple Subject & Single Subject Teaching Credential?

Choose a credential & explain why you would pursue it

Teacher Credentialing Plan

What are the requirements to becoming a teacher? Choose either Multiple Subject or Single Subject Which tests must you take to show subject matter

competence and basic skills knowledge? What type of degree do you need? What other items must you complete?