* California Basic Educational Skills Test (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. Students are recommended to take this exam as early as sophomore year.

* California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET): is a series of subject matter examinations. The CSET reflect the recently revised K-12 California Academic Content Standards. If the institution offers a California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) approved Subject Matter Preparation (SMPP) in the core area, one may demonstrate subject matter proficiency by completing the SMPP.

* Subject Matter Preparation Program (SMPP): is CCTC approved programs to satisfy subject matter proficiency. Completing SMPP is equivalent to passage of appropriate CSET Exam.

TIERS OF BASIC TEACHING CREDENTIALS

* Preliminary Credential: Earned through a university or district program. All district programs are intern programs, but university programs may be student teacher or intern programs.

* Professional Credential: Earned after the preliminary credential through a two year district induction program.

* Specialist Credential: Offered in a variety of areas such as Mild/Moderate, Moderate/Severe, Visually Impaired, etc.

TYPES OF TEACHING CREDENTIALS

* Multiple-Subjects Teaching Credential: allows the holder to teach K-6 or K-8 schools. Holder of this type of credential is authorized to teach all core subjects in a multiple subject classroom.

* Single-Subject Teaching Credential: allows the holder to teach middle or high schools and are authorized to teach only the subject for which the holder has a credential.

OTHER FREQUENTLY USED TERMS

* Highly Qualified Teacher Requirements: California's State Board of Education defines a "highly qualified teacher" as one who has a Bachelor's Degree and has verified subject matter through the appropriate CSET or has completed a Subject Matter Preparation Program in the credential area.

* No Child Left Behind Act of 2001: This is a United States federal law that reauthorizes a number of federal programs that aim to improve the performance of America's primary and secondary schools by increasing the standards of accountability for states, school districts, and schools.

School-wide Links
Courses Apply	Computing Contact

CAL TEACH

Useful Links and Terms

National Science Teachers Association

http://www.nsta.org/

California Science Teachers Association

http://www.cascience.org/index.html

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

http://www.nctm.org/

The Association of Teachers of Mathematics

http://www.atm.org.uk/index.html

American Association of Physics Teachers

http://www.aapt.org/

National Association of Biology Teachers

http://nabt.org

California Commission on Teacher Credentialing

http://www.ctc.ca.gov/

California Basic Skills Test (CBEST) Website

http://www.cbest.nesinc.com/

California Subject Exam for Teachers (CSET) Website

http://www.cset.nesinc.com/

California Department of Education

http://www.cde.ca.gov/

California Content Standards

http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/index.asp

Curriculum Frameworks and Instructional Materials

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/cf/index.asp

UC-wide Science and Mathematics Initiative

http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/academics/1000teachers/