Preconditions for Education Specialist Programs
(Preliminary Education Specialist)
Preconditions March 2019
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(1) English Language Skills
In each program of professional preparation, the college or university or school district requires candidates to demonstrate knowledge of alternative 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 Sections 44227, 44253.1, and 44283. (1) English Language Skills
Candidates for the Education Specialist credential are required to pass a course entitled Differentiating Instruction for all Learners (4 semester units), in which they learn strategies for developing students’ English language skills. In addition, all Education Specialist candidates take a reading course, Teaching Reading in Elementary Schools (4 semester units) as well as Advanced Curriculum for Diverse Learners (4 semester units), which focuses on specific instruction and intervention for students with special needs in the development of reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
(2) Program Admission
The sponsor of an education specialist teacher preparation program assesses each candidate’s standing in relation to required subject matter preparation during the admissions process. The program admits only those candidates who meet one of the following criteria. Reference: Education Code Sections 44227 (a). • The candidate provides evidence of having passed the appropriate subject matter examination(s). • The candidate provides evidence of having attempted the appropriate subject matter examinations(s). • The candidate provides evidence of registration for the next scheduled examination. • The candidate provides evidence of having completed an appropriate Commission approved subject matter preparation program. • The candidate provides evidence of continuous progress toward meeting the subject matter requirement. • The candidate provides evidence of enrollment in an organized subject matter examination preparation program. (2) Program Admission
Dominican requires that all applicants to the Education Specialist program demonstrate their responsibility toward meeting the subject matter requirement by one of the following means:
By examination
The candidate provides evidence of having passed the appropriate subject matter examination(s).
The candidate provides evidence of having attempted the appropriate subject matter examinations(s).
The candidate provides evidence of registration for the next scheduled examination.
By subject-matter preparation
The candidate provides evidence of having completed a Commission-approved subject- matter preparation program.
(3) Subject Matter Proficiency
The approved teacher preparation program sponsor determines that each candidate meets the subject matter requirement prior to solo teaching, or, for intern candidates, before being given daily whole class instructional responsibilities in a K-12 school or before becoming the teacher of record in a K-12 school. Reference: Education Code Section 44227. To demonstrate subject matter competence, a candidate for an Education Specialist teaching credential, except for the Early Childhood Special Education credential, shall: 1. Pass the Commission-approved Multiple Subject matter examination; or pass a Commission-approved subject matter examination in Art, English, Mathematics, including foundational-level Mathematics, Music, Social Science or Science, including foundationallevel General Science; or 2. Complete a Commission-approved subject matter program in Art, Elementary, English, Mathematics including foundational-level Mathematics, Music, Social Science or Science, including foundational-level General Science; or For integrated undergraduate programs only, the candidate must be monitored for subject matter competency both prior to beginning and during early field experiences. Each candidate in an integrated undergraduate program must have satisfied subject matter or at a minimum completed four-fifths of the Commission-approved subject matter preparation program prior to beginning solo (i.e., student) teaching. 3. Hold a California general education teaching credential in any subject. For employment purposes, Education Specialists will have to meet the subject matter requirements of a Highly Qualified Teacher according to federal Public Law 108-446 Sections 1401 and 1412 and California Code of Regulations Section 6111. (a) For those assigned to a setting that is designated as teaching an elementary curriculum per NCLB/IDEA, subject matter competence shall be accomplished by passing the examination approved by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing for Multiple Subject Teaching Credentials (currently the California Subject Examination for Teachers: Multiple Subjects.) (b) For those assigned to teach in a setting designated as teaching a middle or high school curriculum per NCLB/IDEA, subject matter competence may be achieved by demonstration of subject matter competence in art, English, mathematics including foundational-level mathematics, music, social science, or science including foundational-level general science and specialized science. Competence may be achieved by: 1) successful passage of the authorized state exam in a single subject listed above authorized by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (currently California Subject Examination for Teachers: Single Subject) or 2) completion of a Commission approved Single Subject Matter program or the equivalent. (c) Those Education Specialists assigned to teach students whose curriculum is based on alternative achievement standards (i.e. alternatives to the California high school exit exam) may demonstrate subject matter competence through the same method as elementary teachers in (a) above. (3) Subject Matter Proficiency
To be admitted to student teaching or to assume daily student teaching responsibilities as an intern teacher, education specialist candidates must provide evidence of passing one of the following:
Pass a Commission-approved subject matter examination in Multiple Subject, Art, English, Mathematics including foundational-level Mathematics, Music, Social Science or Science including foundational-level General Science; or
A Commission-approved subject matter program in Multiple Subject, Art, English, Mathematics including foundational-level Mathematics, Music, Social Science or Science including foundational-level General Science; or
Hold a California general education teaching credential, in any subject.
(4) Completion of Requirements
A college or university or school district that operates a program for the Education Specialist teaching 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: Reference: Education Code Sections 44225(a), 44227, and 44283.2(a). • Possession of a baccalaureate or higher degree other than in professional education from a regionally accredited institution • Satisfaction of the 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 Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) [Passage of the RICA examination does not apply to Early Childhood Special Education Credential candidates Section 44283.2(b).] (4) Completion of Requirements
Prior to recommending a candidate for a preliminary Education Specialist teaching credential, a credential analyst ensures that each candidate has completed and provided evidence of all of the following:
Possession of a baccalaureate or higher degree other than in professional education from a regionally accredited institution
Passage of the 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 California Teaching Performance Assessment (CalTPA)
Passage of the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA)
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