Early Completion Intern Option For Multiple and Single Subject Teaching Credentials


The Early Completion Intern Option (ECO) is intended to provide individuals who have requisite skills and knowledge an opportunity to challenge the course work portion of a Multiple or Single Subject Intern Program and demonstrate pedagogical skills through a performance assessment while in a Commission-approved intern program. All Commission-approved intern programs (both university and district) must offer early completion options to qualified candidates.

Requirements for the Early Completion Intern Option

Individuals must satisfy all of the following requirements:

  1. Bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally-accredited college or university.

  2. Basic skills requirement. See Commission leaflet CL-667, entitled Basic Skills Requirement for additional information.

  3. Passage of one of the following assessments:

    1. The National Evaluation Series (NES) Assessment of Professional Knowledge (APK): Elementary (Test code 051) for Multiple Subjects candidates or Secondary (Test code 052) for Single Subject candidates (See Terms and Definitions).

    2. The Teaching Foundations Examination (TFE) (no longer administered-see Terms and Definitions).

  4. Completion of the initial Teaching Performance Assessment (TPA) task(s) provided within a Commission-approved TPA model (See Terms and Definitions).

  5. Completion of a course (two semester units or three quarter units) in the provisions and principles of the U.S. Constitution, or passage of an examination in the subject given by a regionally-accredited college, or university.

  6. Verify knowledge of the subject to be taught by one of the following methods:

    1. Achieve a passing score on all appropriate subject matter examination(s). Information regarding the appropriate subject matter examination(s), including passing scores and registration, can be found in Verifying Subject Matter Competence by Examination leaflets CL-674M for Multiple Subject, or CL-674S for Single Subject.
    2. Complete a Commission-approved subject-matter program or its equivalent and obtain verification of completion from the authorized person in the education department of a California college or university with an approved program.
    3. Successful completion of applicable coursework verified by a Commission-approved program of professional preparation. Coursework must be completed at a regionally-accredited institution and addresses each of the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the Commission in the content area of the Single or Multiple Subject Credential.
    4. Complete a degree major from a regionally-accredited college or university. For a Single Subject Teaching Credential, the degree major must be in one of  the statutory single subjects. For a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, the degree major must be in liberal studies or an interdisciplinary major that includes coursework in the content area identified in subdivision (b) of California Education Code section 44282.
    5. Successful completion through a combination of coursework and examination options that meet or exceed the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the Commission in the content area of the Single or Multiple Subject Credential. Such mixing of options may only be done by candidates enrolled in a Commission-approved preparation program.

     

  7. Fingerprint processing by Live Scan (form 41-LS), if not previously completed for the Commission.

  8. Individuals must have an offer of employment and be enrolled in a District Intern Program or a college or university with a Commission- approved intern program. Applications must be submitted to the Commission through the Commission-approved intern program sponsor.

Requirements for the Preliminary Multiple or Single Subject Teaching Credential

Individuals must satisfy all of the following requirements:[1]

  1. Complete requirements 1 through 7, listed above.

  2. Pass the Teaching Performance Assessment (TPA). Necessary to satisfy the fieldwork component required for the intern program. Candidates must pass the TPA on the first attempt in order to be eligible for the ECO. If the candidate does not pass on the first attempt, he/she is no longer eligible to participate in the ECO program and must complete the full teacher preparation program. Candidates must demonstrate competence of the field experience required by the Commission-approved intern program in which the candidate is enrolled.

  3. Pass the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA). RICA is a requirement for Multiple Subjects Credential candidates only. For more information, visit the RICA website.

  4. Complete foundational computer technology course work that includes general and specialized skills in the use of computers in educational settings.

  5. Recommendation from Commission-approved intern program sponsor using the CTC online system.

Note [1]: The employer may require additional instruction deemed necessary for the preparation of the candidate.

Authorization

  • Multiple Subjects Intern Teaching Credential
    This credential authorizes the holder to teach in a self-contained classroom such as the classrooms in most elementary schools. However, a teacher authorized for multiple subject instruction may be assigned to teach in any self-contained classroom (preschool, K-12, or in classes organized primarily for adults). In addition, the holder of a Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential may serve in a core or team teaching setting. This document authorizes the holder to provide the following services to English learners: (1) instruction for English language development in grades twelve and below, including preschool, and in classes organized primarily for adults; and (2) specially designed content instruction delivered in English in multiple-subject-matter (self-contained) classes. This credential also covers classes authorized by other valid, non-emergency credentials held, as specified in Education Code Section 44253.3.

  • Single Subject Intern Teaching Credential
    This credential authorizes the holder to teach the specific subject(s) named on the credential in departmentalized classes such as those in most middle schools and high schools. However, a teacher authorized for single subject instruction may be assigned to teach in any subject in his or her authorized fields at any grade level – preschool, grades K-12, or in classes organized primarily for adults. This document authorizes the holder to provide the following services to English learners: (1) instruction for English language development in grades twelve and below, including preschool, and in classes organized primarily for adults; and (2) specially designed content instruction delivered in English in single-subject-matter (departmentalized) courses as authorized on this document. This authorization also covers classes authorized by other valid, non-emergency credentials held, as specified in Education Code Section 44253.3.

Period of Validity

The Multiple and Single Subject Intern Teaching Credentials are valid for a period of two years. During this two-year period, the holder must complete the requirements necessary for the Preliminary Multiple or Single Subject Teaching Credential.

Terms and Definitions

The current entry assessment structure using the NES APK assessments became effective September 26, 2013. The examination scores on the NES assessments have a five-year period of validity and must be used towards a credential within that time frame. See Coded Correspondence 13-13 for more information. 

For an overview of the NES Multiple Subjects assessment (APK 051), links to the candidate study guide, and other materials, and to register for the assessment, visit the NES website.

For information on the NES Single Subject assessment (APK 052), visit the NES website.

Teaching Foundations Examination (TFE)

This written examination allows individuals to demonstrate their knowledge of basic teaching education foundations and pedagogy in order to satisfy the required education courses in a teacher preparation program.

The TFE has been replaced by the NES APK assessments for use toward meeting the ECO. The final administration of the TFE was in July 2013. Candidates may use scores on the Teaching Foundations Examination toward meeting the ECO for a period of five years from the date the assessment was passed.

Teaching Performance Assessment (TPA)

Part 2 of the new examination, which measures content-specific pedagogy, uses the existing initial Teaching Performance Assessment (TPA) task(s) provided within a Commission-approved TPA model. The following table identifies, by approved TPA model (CalTPA, FAST, PACT), the specific TPA task(s) that ECO candidates would need to pass on the first attempt for entry into the ECO route. 

TPA ModelECO Entry TPA
CalTPATask I
FASTCalTPA Task I
PACTTask I and Task 2 (excluding the daily reflections of Task 2)
edTPA [1]Task I
Note [1]: The prospective ECO candidate will need to work with the Commission-approved intern program to complete the TPA task as part of the ECO entry assessment. See Coded Correspondence 13-13 for more information.

Reference:
California Education Code 44468.

CL-840  December 2021
Updated February 02, 2022