Program Specific Preconditions

1. Demonstration of Need. To be granted initial program accreditation by the Committee on Accreditation, the program proposal must include a demonstration of the need for the program in the region in which it will operate. Such a demonstration must include, but need not be limited to, assurance by a sample of school administrators that one or more school districts will, during the foreseeable future, hire or assign additional personnel to serve in the credential category.
2. Practitioners’ Participation in Program Design. To be granted initial program accreditation by the Committee on Accreditation, the program proposal must include verification that practitioners in the credential category have participated actively in the design and development of the program’s philosophical orientation, educational goals, and content emphases.
3. Basic Skills Requirement. In each program of professional preparation, applicants for program admission shall be required to take the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) or have satisfied the Basic Skills Requirement (BSR). The institution shall use the CBEST results to ensure that, upon admission, each candidate receives appropriate academic assistance necessary to pass the examination. Reference: Education Code Sections 44252 (f) and 44225 (n).
   For Internship Programs: In each internship program of professional preparation, candidates who are admitted shall be required to satisfy the Basic Skills Requirement prior to assuming intern teaching responsibilities. Reference: Education Code Section 44252 (b).
   Clarification of Precondition 3
   Legislative Intent. Precondition 3 does not require passage of the CBEST for admission, only that the examination be taken. It is the intent of the Legislature that admission to a program not be denied solely on the basis of having failed to pass the CBEST. Further, it is expected that institutions will make provisions for assisting candidates in passing the exam.
   Applicants Residing Out of State When They Apply for Admission. Persons residing outside of California when they apply for admission must take the CBEST no later than the second available administration of the test after enrolling in the program.
4. Certificate of Clearance. An entity that operates a program of professional preparation shall not allow a candidate to participate in school-based field experiences until the candidate obtains a Certificate of Clearance from the Commission that verifies the candidate’s personal identification, unless the individual has already completed the fingerprint and character identification process and has been issued a valid document by the Commission. Reference: Education Code Section 44320 (d).

Program Specific Preconditions for Preliminary Multiple and Single Subject Programs