California

California Teaching Credential

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.

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.

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.

Testing Requirements
California requires all teachers to meet the state's Basic Skills Requirements. California accepts The California Basic Educational Skills Test™ (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/.

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.