.png?sfvrsn=c28b72b1_10 "CA.Gov")
.png?sfvrsn=cd8b72b1_0 "Commission on Teacher Credentialing")
Intent of Core
The basis of the authorization for the Multiple Subject (MS) Credential is the self-contained classroom setting whereby all or most subjects are taught by one instructor to the same group of students throughout the day. All variations of the MS authorization found in Education Code (regrouping, team teaching, and teaching in a core setting) maintain the foundation of a self-contained classroom while allowing some variant of flexibility for the assignment.
The intent of the core setting is that the student group is the same and remains together for all portions of the core assignment, which maintains the basis of the self-contained classroom. The instruction, however, is segmented into independent periods of instruction to mirror a departmentalized setting.
Core Setting Definition
A core setting occurs when a teacher is assigned on the basis of a credential that authorizes service in a self-contained classroom (Multiple Subject or Standard Elementary Teaching Credentials) and:
- Teaches two or more subjects to the same group of students in the same day, and;
- The student population for the class(es) remains substantially the same.
Core assignments also allow for educators to be assigned a hanging period which allows an educator to teach one of the subjects already being taught in their core assignment. For a hanging period to be part of a correct core assignment, the extra period(s) must:
- Be in one of the exact same subjects already being taught in one of the core assignment;
- Be at the same grade level as the core assignment, and;
- Cannot constitute more than half of the teacher's total assignment.
Core Schedule
Core settings allow an educator holding a credential authorizing service in a self-contained classroom to provide instruction in a partially departmentalized setting. This educator may teach two or more departmentalized subjects to the same group of students in the same day, and provide instruction in hanging fifth period(s). This setting is only permitted for use in grades 5-8.
Wheel Electives
Classes frequently referred to as wheel, exploratory, or enrichment electives are a common option for providing students with an elective choice that rotates through several subjects during a one- or two-semester course, thereby exposing students to a variety of new experiences. Such courses can be cored if the student groups remain the same throughout the entire year (even as each elective subject changes).
Note that it is not common to core wheeled elective courses because students are often given a choice in what elective they wish to take, making it difficult to ensure that the student population remains the same throughout the wheel schedule.
Core Schedule: Wheel Configuration
The "wheel" is a common elective choice that rotates between several subjects throughout the year, thereby exposing students to a variety of new experiences. This configuration allows for a wheeled elective period provided that all the same student group is represented between all cored classes and all rotations of the wheel period.
Block Schedules
There are many different types of block schedules that exist. Block core schedules are permitted provided that student groups are cored in two or more periods within the same day.
Correct Block Core:
However, if a core group is only taught for one course over multiple days then the core would be unacceptable.
Incorrect Block Core:
Core Schedule: Block Configuration
Block cored schedules are permitted provided that students are cored within the same day. Schedules cannot be cored across multiple days.
