Welcome to the State of California

Title

Home Help Elementary / Multiple Subject Credentials Prospective Teachers

Elementary / Multiple Subject Credentials

I am interested in obtaining a California teaching credential but have not completed a professional preparation program in California or any other state.

You are not eligible to apply for a teaching credential at this time. You must complete a professional teacher preparation program, including successful student teaching, at the level you wish to teach. Programs will vary slightly from college to college, but all programs will include specific requirements established by the Commission. For additional information, please refer to the links below:

• Multiple Subject Teaching Credential (Elementary - California trained) [PDF]

• Single Subject Teaching Credential (Secondary - California trained) [PDF]

• District Intern Programs for Elementary and Secondary Education (alternative program) [PDF]

• University Internship Programs (alternative program) [PDF]

• Commission-Approved Teacher Preparation Programs

• Terms and Definitions



MULTIPLE SUBJECT TERMS & DEFINITIONS


Commission-approved Professional Teacher Induction Program
A program of situated learning for the preliminary credentialed teacher. A Verification of Induction Program Completion Form must be signed by the Induction Program director or designee. (For individuals trained outside of the U.S., training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation [CPR] that covers infant, child and adult CPR skills must also be verified. Submit a course description and a copy of the CPR card for evaluation purposes.)

Core
A core setting is one in which a teacher who is assigned on the basis of a credential that authorizes service in a self-contained classroom (Multiple Subject or Standard Elementary Teaching Credentials) teaches two or more subjects to the same group of students. The student population must remain substantially the same, but not absolutely, so that the time and the curricula of the subjects may be manipulated in ways that enhances good instruction.

Full-time Teaching Experience
(Original evaluations or photocopies of the teacher's performance for at least two years of teaching must also be submitted.)
  • Experience must be full-time teaching; no part-time or a combination of teaching and other school employment will be accepted
  • All experience must be gained in regionally-accredited schools in states or U.S. Territories other than California
  • Teaching experience does not need to correspond with the type of certification requested and may be a combination of regular education and special education
  • Adult and vocational education experience is not acceptable
  • Teaching experience gained in California is not acceptable
  • Teaching experience must be verified by the superintendent, assistant superintendent, or director of personnel on official letterhead of the district or districts where the teacher was employed
  • Day-to-day substitute teaching experience is not acceptable

Regrouping
Regrouping generally means two or more teachers each teach all the subjects in a self-contained classroom, but group their students for one or more of those subjects. Students are grouped by their learning level. For example, one teacher may take the below-grade level math students from two or more classes, while another teacher takes the above grade level math students, etc. The teachers usually begin the day with the students assigned to them for self-contained instruction. The concept of regrouping is not generally used in middle schools.

Self-Contained
A self-contained classroom setting is one whereby all subjects are taught by an instructor to a group of students; usually found at the elementary level.

Subject Matter Competence

The out-of-state credential authorization must correspond to a California subject area in order for the Commission to issue a credential. If the subjects listed on the out-of-state credential are other than "elementary teaching" or "self-contained", a preliminary credential will be issued but the applicant will be required to meet California subject-matter requirements before the clear credential may be issued. See Commission leaflet entitled Verifying Subject Matter Competence for Multiple Subject Teaching Credentials [PDF]for more information.
Team Teaching
Team teaching may mean one teacher provides language arts instruction, for example, to both classes while the other teaches science to both--it allows them to use their strengths to instruct a larger number of students. In this manner, the teacher's subject area expertise becomes the important factor.

Top of Page



Did we answer your question? If not, click here to email our credential staff. It takes approximately 3 to 5 business days to receive a response to your email.

Updated April 11, 2008