97% of participants in Troops to Teachers say they would recommend the program to others who qualify.
--National Center for Education Information
|
|
California Teacher Preparation Programs |
|
|
To obtain a California credential in any subject area, individuals must complete a teacher credentialing program. Programs are available at the graduate and undergraduate level. There are also alternative internship programs available that allow individuals to teach full time while completing teaching credential requirements.Â
Substitute Teaching
Substitute teaching is encouraged as it allows individuals to network while gaining an understanding of various schools, districts, and subject areas.  Emergency teaching permits authorize the holder to serve as day-to-day substitute teachers in any classroom, including preschool, kindergarten, and grades 1-12. Permits are valid for one year. The holder may serve as a substitute for no more than 30 days for any one teacher during the school year, except in a special education classroom, where the holder may serve for no more than 20 days for any one teacher during the school year. Substitute teachers in California must have a bachelor's degree and pass the Basic Skills Requirement.
Paraeducators
Paraeducators support classroom teachers, usually at the elementary level, in a variety of subject areas. California paraeducators are required to hold an associate's degree or pass the Basic Skills Requirement. Individuals interested in opportunities as paraeducators should contact a local school district for additional information.Â
The Paraprofessional Teacher Training Program (PTTP) is a state-funded paraeducator (instructional assistant/aide) career ladder program leading to a teacher preparation program and ultimately, to a teaching credential. Paraprofessional participants may be undergraduates, or they may already have a Bachelor's Degree but have not done any teacher preparation coursework. Program participants receive assistance with college/university tuition, fees, and books, as well as other support services to increase success in the program, in accordance with each local program design. Participants who are undergraduates and who earn a Bachelor's Degree may remain in the PTTP and enroll in a teacher preparation program, or they may enroll in a Pre-intern or Intern Program, as applicable to their individual circumstances.  For more information, email Marilynn Fairgood: mfairgood@ctc.ca.gov
Testing Requirements
California requires all teachers to meet the state's Basic Skills Requirements. California accepts The California Basic Educational Skills Testâ„¢ (CBEST®) to meet requirements of laws relating to credentialing and employment. This test requirement in no way replaces any of the other requirements of subject matter knowledge, professional preparation, and practice teaching or field experience used in the issuance of credentials. The CBEST is designed to test basic reading, mathematics, and writing skills found to be important for the job of an educator; the test is not designed to measure the ability to teach those skills. The examination is delivered in English, and all responses must be in English. Individuals can register and download study materials for the CBEST exam at http://www.cbest.nesinc.com/.Â
State Needs
California is currently experiencing a need for teachers in a variety of subject areas, especially math, science, special education and linguistically diverse education.ÂDirectory of Approved Teacher Preparation Programs in California
This directory provides a listing of California state approved programs for the preparation of professional educational personnel. This publication is intended to be a source of information regarding available educator preparation programs in California institutions of higher education. The directory is searchable by public, private, or other institutions. Programs can be filtered by desired endorsement areas.
TEACH California is a Web site administered by the California Department of Education (CDE). With the understanding that California faces a great shortage of special education, mathematics, and science teachers, the site is designed to explain the teacher preparation process, assist prospective teachers in creating their plan to become credentialed teachers, and offer links to important resources. TEACH California offers a searchable database of teacher preparation programs in the state.
 United States University sole goal is our students’ success. Employing the concept of La Familia (the family), we support each generation of diverse learners; those who are just beginning an academic career, those completing their teaching goals, and individuals who are returning or making life changes. We offer a unique student centered, culturally, and linguistically responsive curriculum tailored to each student’s distinctive needs. Our commitment to teacher candidates begins with pre-program advisement and extends through individualized support until the desired credential is achieved. United States University prides itself on: Â
Academic schedule flexibility
Affordable Tuition
Exemplary student services We are seeking those individuals who will serve as role models in school districts with large percentages of underrepresented and low resourced populations, a natural extension of your prior service.ÂOur personalized approach engenders in all students the assurance that they are valued as they move through their programs.   United States University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The Multiple and Single Subject Credentials as well as the bilingual certification are accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC). California offers a variety of internships that allow individuals to be the teacher of record, or to serve as a counselor or administrator, while completing an organized professional preparation program. University internships are cooperative teaching, counseling, school psychology, and administrative programs between a university and an employing school district that are administered by the university. District internships are for teachers only and are administered by employing school districts whose programs may or may not involve university course work. Completion of an internship program results in the issuance of a preliminary or professional clear credential.
For more information about internship opportunities, please visit: http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/CREDS/internships.html Many universities offer online or distance learning teacher preparation programs. When considering online and distance learning programs, ask:
- Does the program credential teacher candidates in your state?
- Is your state reciprocal with the program's state? Some online programs license you in one state, such as Arizona or Florida, and you will need to transfer that license back to the state in which you desire licensure or certification. This may require additional application or testing procedures.
- Does the program offer financial aid for online courses? Federal financial aid (e.g., Stafford and Perkins loans) is only applicable to certain accredited online programs.
|
|