Embedded Files
Throughout our teacher preparation program, beginning with our enrollment into the program and including our conclusion of the program, we are assessed in the areas of basic skills, content competency, and overall teacher performance. These assessments can often seem mysterious, confusing and to some, even daunting. This page will help clarify each assessment, it's purpose, and preparation options to help complete, and most importantly, pass the required exams. Note, not all exams are required for every candidate or for every subject matter.
Below you will see a list with a brief description of each teacher examination. After the list, I have added the CTC link that drills deeper into all the details needed to plan, take and receive results of each exam:
BCLAD
BCLAD is a bilingual authorization that authorizes bilingual teachers to teach Spanish-English bilingual students. The following brochure outlines the three courses that must be taken along with the passage of the Spanish CSET subtest #3.
CalTPA
The California Teacher Performance Assessment is a state mandated assessment for all multiple and single-subject teachers that requires videotaping and prompt responses to give proof of satisfactory teaching in a classroom. Think of it as a teaching portfolio. Given it's name, this TPA is only valid for California-prepared teachers and is not valid in any other state.
Preparation and support is provided through your teacher preparation program.
CBEST
The California Basic Education Skills Test is required of all multiple-subject and single-subject teacher candidates in order to substitute teach or earn a teaching credential in the state of California. A teacher candidate must either pass the three-part exam in basic reading, writing and math skills and/or satisfy it through community college or university coursework. Most candidates have coursework to satisfy the CBEST requirement. A program credential analyst will review your transcripts to determine which parts of the CBEST have been met through coursework.
CSET
Known as the California Subject Exam for Teachers, the CSET is a content-specific examination that assesses content-competency in the subject the candidate wishes to teach. Most CSETS have 2-4 subtests with the most common is 3 subtests. Similar to the CBEST, the CSET can be satisfied through coursework and/or examination. It is common to have 1 or more subtest satisfied through coursework. A program credential analyst will review your transcripts to see if any subtest requirements are met through coursework.
Note: A direct match, meaning your bachelor's degree matches the credential content-type will result in satisfying all subtests in that subject matter. For example, a teacher candidate with a bachelor's degree in mathematics will completely satisfy the CSET exam if they are enrolling in a single-subject math program. History majors due not have a direct match with single-subject social studies and therefore there is no direct match for social studies at this time.
If you program will not review your transcripts, Cal State Long Beach will review your transcripts for a $50 fee. Here is the link to the website, document and directions on how to upload your unofficial transcripts:
CTEL
The California Teacher of English Learners exam is designed to evaluate an applicant's knowledge of the structure of the English language and their ability to help people learn English.
This certification test contains three subtests: Language and Language Development, Assessment and Instruction, and Culture and Inclusion
edTPA
Similar in form to the CalTPA except the edTPA is valid in all 50 states. One question to ask any prospective teacher preparation program is which TPA is required by the program.
Preparation and support is provided through your teacher preparation program.
FAST
The Fresno Assessment of Student Teachers is unique to only Fresno State student teachers and the teacher preparation program. Similar in form to the CalTPA and edTPA but like the CalTPA is only valid in the state of California.
Induction
Induction is a state-mandated program all multiple-subject and single-subject teachers with preliminary credentials must complete in order to clear their teaching credential. The program with exception is a 2-year program
RICA
The Reading Instruction Competence Assessment is an exam unique to multiple-subjects and single-subject education specialists to prove the teacher has the ability to teach reading instruction to students. The RICA exam is necessary for education specialist in order to receive a preliminary credential.
Below is the link to the CTC which contains the link to all assessments giving further information regarding testing locations, exam details and helpful tips.
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