Preliminary Multiple Subject/Single Subject Program-Specific Preconditions Evidence Guide (02/2023)

1. Limitation on Program Length.
   The professional preparation coursework that all candidates are required to complete shall be equivalent to no more than two years of full-time study at the institution. The limitation applies to postgraduate teacher preparation programs.

The limitation does not apply to blended/ integrated programs of subject matter preparation and professional preparation teaching internship programs.
Reference: Education Code Section 44259 (a) and (b) (3).

Link to course sequence within a handbook, website, or other authentic program documentation that shows how the program will be completed in no more than two years of fulltime study at the institution (or the equivalent).

Clarification of Program Precondition 1:
Program Precondition 1 does not apply to additional courses that are required if a candidate is unable to meet the Commission’s standards of candidate competence and performance by completing the regular professional preparation program.

2. Limitation on Student Teaching Prerequisites.
   No college or university shall require candidates to complete more than the equivalent of nine semester units of professional preparation courses (as defined in Program Precondition 1) prior to allowing candidates to enroll in student teaching in elementary or secondary schools. This restriction may be increased to the equivalent of twelve semester units if the student teaching prerequisites include study of effective methods of English language development as required by Program Precondition 3.
   Reference: Education Code Section 44320 (a).

For District Intern only programs: a response is not required.

Link to course sequence within a handbook, website, or other authentic program documentation that shows that no more than nine semester units (or twelve with EL instruction) of credential preparation courses are completed before candidates begin student teaching* experiences in a classroom or school.

Clarification of Program Precondition 2
*Student Teaching, for the purposes of this Precondition, is defined as program-coordinated experience in a classroom or school under the direction and supervision of an experienced practitioner to complete program requirements. Other terms sometimes used include field work, field experience, directed teaching, practice teaching, practicum, etc.

3. English Language Skills.
   In each program of professional preparation, the college or university or school district requires candidates to demonstrate knowledge of effective methods of developing English language skills, including reading, among all pupils, including those for whom English is a second language, in accordance with the Commission's standards.
   Reference: Education Code Section 44259 (b) and 44259.5.

For currently approved Preliminary Multiple/Single Subject programs submitting Preconditions in years 1 and 4 of the accreditation cycle: Link to course sequence within a handbook, website, or other authentic program documentation that shows when and how candidates will learn and demonstrate knowledge required in Education Code Sections 44259 (b) (4) (A) and (B).

For institutions working on an Initial Institutional Approval (IIA) or Initial Program Review (IPR) program proposal: Information on this precondition will be included in the submission for Program Standard 7 and TPE 7. No further evidence is required.

4. Undergraduate Student Enrollment.
   Undergraduate students of any campus of the California State University or the University of California shall be allowed to enroll in any professional preparation course.
   Reference: Education Code Section 44320 (a).

Response required only for UC/CSU
Link within a handbook, program website, or other authentic program documentation that indicates this policy.

Clarification of Program Precondition 4
Program Precondition 4 does not mean that a public institution must make it possible for a candidate to complete all requirements for a baccalaureate degree and a preliminary credential in four years of full-time study or the equivalent.

5. Assessing Candidates for Subject Matter Competence.
   The program sponsor has a timely and systematic process for evaluating and notifying candidates of their standing in relation to the subject matter competence requirement.

This process includes:

• Providing candidates with clear and accurate information in all advising and application materials about all options available to demonstrate subject matter competence, pursuant to Education Code Section 44259(b)(5)(a).
• Within the first 60 days of the candidate’s admission, the institution must complete an assessment of each candidate’s standing in relation to demonstration of the subject matter competence requirement, including whether a coursework evaluation will be needed, and notify the candidate of that standing.

1. Link within a handbook, website, or other authentic program documentation that indicates how candidates are provided with clear and accurate information about all options available to demonstrate subject matter competence, pursuant to Education Code Section 44259(b)(5)(a). This evidence may be within any current authentic candidate materials where requirements are listed.
2. Evidence of the program’s process for completing the assessment of a candidate’s standing in relation to demonstration of the subject matter competence requirement and providing candidates with notification of their standing within 60 days of their admission to the program. This notification should include reference to how the candidate has completed the requirement or next steps to completion.

6. Demonstration of Subject Matter Competence
   The approved preliminary teacher preparation program sponsor determines that each candidate meets the subject matter requirement prior to being given daily whole class instructional responsibilities in a TK-12 school.
   
   Candidates enrolled in an integrated undergraduate teacher preparation program may begin the daily whole class instruction portion of their student teaching experience before meeting the subject matter requirement. However, all candidates must meet the subject matter requirement before being recommended for their preliminary teaching credential.

a. For Multiple Subject and Single Subject programs, the candidate provides evidence of having demonstrated subject matter competence through one of the following methods:

1. Completion of a subject matter program approved by the Commission on the basis of standards of program quality and effectiveness. Reference: Education Code 44259 (b)(5)(A)(i).
2. Passage of a Commission-approved subject matter examination. Reference: Education Code 44259 (b)(5)(A)(ii).
3. Successful completion of coursework at one or more regionally accredited institution of higher education that addresses each of the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the Commission in the content area of the credential pursuant to Section 44282, as verified by a Commission-approved program of professional preparation. Coursework completed at a community or junior college that is regionally accredited by an accrediting agency listed in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (g) of Section 44203 or by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges may count for purposes of this clause. Reference: Education Code 44259 (b)(5)(A)(iii).
4. Successful completion of a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with the following, as applicable.
   i. For Single Subject credentials, a major in one of the subject areas in which the Commission credentials candidates, as indicated in Education Code 44259(b)(5)(A)(iv)(I) and 44282 (b).
   ii. For Multiple Subject credentials, a liberal studies major or other degree that includes coursework in the content areas as indicated in Education Code 44259(b)(5)(A)(iv)(II) and 44282 (b).
5. A combination of the methods described in 1, 2, or 3 above that together demonstrate that the candidate has met or exceeded the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the Commission. Education Code 44259 (b)(5)(A)(v), and 44282 (b).

7. Completion of Requirements.
   A college or university or school district that operates a program for the Preliminary Multiple or Single Subject Credential shall determine, prior to recommending a candidate for the credential, that the candidate meets all legal requirements for the credential, including but not limited to:

• Possession of a baccalaureate or higher degree other than in professional education from a regionally accredited institution
• Completion of Basic Skills Requirement
• Completion of an accredited professional preparation program
• Completion of the subject matter requirement
• Demonstration of knowledge of the principles and provisions of the Constitution of the United States
• Passage of the Teaching Performance Assessment
• Passage of the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) (for Multiple Subject Candidates).