Preconditions for Education Specialist Programs Preliminary Education Specialist

The following Program Specific Preconditions apply to the Mills College Early Childhood Special Education Credential Program.

Education Specialist (ES) Precondition 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.

ES Precondition 1 is met as follows:

All candidates for the Early Childhood Special Education Preliminary Credential will demonstrate knowledge of alternative methods for developing English language skills including those for whom English is a second language. Language and cultural diversity learning will be a foundation element of this program; all candidates are required to take at least one course in the teaching of language acquisition, including development of reading skills which includes methods for language instruction for children learning English as a second language. EDUC 237 is a program requirement that addresses these competencies.

ES Precondition 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.

ES Precondition 2 is met as follows:

Admission to the Early Childhood Special Education Credential Program requires at least one course in child development, early childhood education, developmental psychology or child psychology, and 40 hours of experience working with young children, which must be completed by the time candidates enroll in the program. In addition, all portions of the CBEST must be passed prior to enrollment in August. The admission requirements can be viewed here.

ES Precondition 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:

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 foundational level General Science; or
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.
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.

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.)
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.
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.

ES Precondition 3 is met as follows:

Precondition 3 does not apply to candidates of the Early Childhood Special Education Preliminary Credential, the Autism Spectrum Disorders Added Authorization (ASDAA), or the Emotional Disturbance Added Authorization (EDAA). Please see the admission requirements, where the CSET is not listed for Early Childhood Special Education credential candidates.

ES Precondition 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).]

ES Precondition 4 is met as follows:

Mills College will ensure that each candidate in the Early Childhood Special Education Preliminary Credential possesses a baccalaureate or higher degree in professional education from a regionally accredited institution; satisfies the Basic Skills requirement; completes an accredited professional preparation program and the subject matter requirement; and demonstrates knowledge of the principles and provisions of the Constitution of the United States. View the program requirements here. The Credential Analyst is in charge of verifying that the candidate has satisfied all aforementioned requirements through completion of this form, which is held in the candidate’s credential file.

Education Specialist: All Added Authorization

Autism Spectrum Disorder

ASD Precondition 1:

Candidates accepted into an Added Authorization program must currently hold a preliminary education specialist teaching credential or be eligible for a preliminary education specialist teaching credential prior to recommendation for the Added Authorization.

ASD Precondition 1 is met as follows:

Mills College will ensure that each candidate accepted into the Autism Spectrum Disorder Added Authorization program will have a preliminary education specialist teaching credential or will be eligible for a preliminary specialist teaching credential prior to recommendation for the Added Authorization. The ASD Added Authorization is offered as a package within the Early Childhood Special Education credentialing program. Once a candidate indicates that he or she intends to enroll in the ECSE Program with ASD Added Authorization, the candidate submits official transcript verification and all necessary documentation to the Credential Analyst who keeps it until the candidate is ready to apply for the Added Authorizations. Please see here for the ECSE recommendation form.

ASD Precondition 2:

The Added Authorization courses may be considered part of coursework for completing the Clear Education Specialist program.

ASD Precondition 2 is met as follows:

Does not apply. Mills College does not currently offer Clear Education Specialist Program.

Emotional Disturbance

ED Precondition 1:

ED Precondition 1 is met as follows:

Mills College will ensure that each candidate accepted into the Emotional Disturbance Added Authorization program will have a preliminary education specialist teaching credential or will be eligible for a preliminary specialist teaching credential prior to recommendation for the Added Authorization. The ED Added Authorization is offered as a package within the Early Childhood Special Education credentialing program. Once a candidate indicates that he or she intends to enroll in the ECSE Program with ED Added Authorization, the candidate submits official transcript verification and all necessary documentation to the Credential Analyst who keeps it until the candidate is ready to apply for the Added Authorizations. Please see here for the ECSE recommendation form.

ED Precondition 2:

The Added Authorization courses may be considered part of coursework for completing the Clear Education Specialist program.

ED Precondition 2 is met as follows:

Does not apply. Mills College does not currently offer Clear Education Specialist Program.

Preconditions: General Precondition MS & SS Credential ECSE Credential Administrative Service Credential MS & SS Intern

Report abuse