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

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 Credential Subject 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 Credential Subject Matter Competence California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET): Multiple Subjects 4Section I: Language Arts & Social Science 4Section II: Mathematics & Science 4Section 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 Credential Subject Matter Competence Can be met by one of two ways: A. Complete a degree in the field that is like your credential or B. Passing the state-approved subject matter exam (CSET)

Single Subject Credential What Can I Teach? Best to Major in the subject you want to teachMajor Single Subject Credential Areas Agriculture Art Biological Sciences (Specialized) Business Chemistry (Specialized) English Foundational-Level Mathematics Foundational-Level General Science Geosciences (Specialized) Health Science Home Economics Industrial and Technology Education Languages other than English (Specialized) Mathematics Music Physical Education / Kinesiology Physics (Specialized) Science: Biology Science: Chemistry Science: Geosciences Science: Physics Social 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?