American Indian Languages-Culture Credential (CL-893)

Introduction

The American Indian Language-Culture Credential is available to an applicant who has met the following requirements:

• For the language authorization: Demonstrated fluency in the tribe’s language based on an oral and written assessment developed and administered by the federally recognized Indian tribe located in California.
  
  
• For the Culture authorization: Demonstrated knowledge in the tribe’s culture based on an oral and written assessment developed and administered by the federally recognized Indian tribe located in California.
  
  
• Successfully completed a criminal background check conducted under Sections 44339, 44340, and 44341 for credentialing purposes.
  
  
• Submitted an application, fee and recommendation for the credential to the Commission through the federally recognized Indian tribe.

Authorization

The American Indian Language-Culture Credential authorizes the holder to teach the specific American Indian language and/or culture listed on the document in departmentalized classrooms in preschool, grades kindergarten through 12, and in classes organized primarily for adults.

The American Indian Language-Culture Credential does not authorize instruction in any other subject or setting unless the individual holds an additional, valid teaching credential or permit that authorizes the assignment. In addition, the American Indian Language-Culture Credential is not an appropriate prerequisite credential for any other permit, credential or certificate and may not be used in conjunction with the local teaching assignment options that require possession of a teaching credential.

Application Process

Each American Indian Language-Culture Credential shall be initially issued for a two-year period and may be renewed for a three-year period upon recommendation of the tribal government. Upon completion of the three-year period, the holder of an American Indian Language-Culture Credential shall be eligible for a clear teaching credential for that language and/or culture. Individuals would need to submit an application and processing fee along with the recommendation of the tribal government, in consultation with the applicant’s public school employer.

Requirements for the Two-Year Preliminary Credential

Consideration of an American Indian Language-Culture Credential will be based upon submission of all of the following:

1. Verification by a federally recognized American Indian tribe located in California of:
   1. For the language authorization: fluency in the tribe’s language based on an oral and written assessment developed and administered by the tribal government, verified on form CL-894, entitled Recommendation Form/American Indian Language-Culture Credential.
      
      
   2. For the culture authorization: knowledge in the tribe’s culture based on an oral and written assessment developed and administered by the tribal government, verified on form CL-894, entitled Recommendation Form/American Indian Language-Culture Credential.
      
      
2. Recommendation from the representative tribal government, to be submitted on form CL-894.
   
   
3. Completed application (form 41-4), and, if not previously submitted to the Commission, a completed Live Scan receipt (form 41-LS). Out-of-state residents must submit two fingerprint cards in lieu of a Live Scan receipt. If submitting fingerprint cards, current fingerprint processing fees must accompany the application packet in addition to the application processing fee. Fingerprint cards may be ordered by sending an email to the Commission at OutofStateFPs@ctc.ca.gov.
   
   
4. Application processing fee

Requirements for the Three-Year Preliminary Credential

Individuals must satisfy all of the following requirements:

1. Recommendation of the representative tribal government, submitted on form CL-894.
2. Completed application (Form 41-4).
3. Application processing fee.

Terms and Definitions

Adding Authorizations

It will be the decision of the associated tribal government to determine if an individual who is initially issued the American Indian Language-Culture credential for only the language component may add the culture component (or vice versa) to the existing credential of if he/she will need to begin the process with the two-year preliminary. In the event the new component is not added to the initially issued credential, the individual will be issued a separate credential for the new component. When the requirements are completed for both components, the authorizations will be listed on the same clear credential.

CL-893  June, 2020