Basic Skills Requirement (BSR)
The California Education Code and Title 5 Regulations specify that applicants for a credential who wish to serve in a public school in California must verify basic skills proficiency. There are several different options to meet Basic Skills and submit for verification.
The BSR video briefly explains the options on meeting BSR and a tutorial on how to submit your verification request.
Options for meeting the Basic Skills Requirement
By Coursework
A three-unit semester or four-unit quarter course passed with a grade of B- or better, Pass, or Credit from a regionally accredited college or university taken for degree applicable credit may be considered for verification. Each section of the proficiency areas must be met to receive verification.
Courses that qualify for each area:
- Reading Proficiency: a course in critical thinking, literature, philosophy, reading, rhetoric, or textual analysis.
- Writing Proficiency: a course in composition, English, rhetoric, written communication, or writing.
- Mathematics Proficiency: a course in algebra, geometry, mathematics, quantitative reasoning, or statistics.
The following types of coursework are not acceptable:
- Professional development or continuing education
- In-service training or workshops
- Courses where credits do not apply towards the requirements for an associate's degree, baccalaureate degree, or higher degree
By Exam
- Pass the CBEST
- If you have passed all sections of the CBEST you do not need to submit for verificaiton. You have met Basic Skills and may submit a copy of your CBEST with your program application.
- Pass the CSET: Multiple Subjects Plus Writing Skills Examination
- If you have passed the Multiple Subject CSET plus Writing CSET you do not need to submit for verificaiton. You have met Basic Skills and may submit a copy of your CSET with your program application.
- Pass the CSU Early Assessment Program or the CSU Placement Examinations
- Achieve Qualifying Score on the SAT or ACT
- College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations
- Pass a Basic Skills Examination from Another State
By Combination of Coursework and Exam
A combination of applicable course(s) and exam(s). The qualifiying coursework must meet the requirements listed under By Coursework and the exam must meet the score requirement as listed on the Eligible Exams and Score Requirement list.*Out of state basic skills exams are not eligible for the mix-and-match option.
For more detailed information on these individual options, please consult CTC Basic Skills Requirement (CL-667).
BSR Verification Request Submittal Information
CSUB only provides verification to current CSUB students and a Basic Skills coursework verification by CSUB is only valid at CSUB. The approximate processing time for a BSR verification is 2-3 weeks.
By clicking the BSR verification button you will be taken to the Kuali platform where you will enter the information to submit your request. For a tutorial on how to complete the form please review the BSR video.
You will be notified via your CSUB email when your evaluation is complete.
Questions?
For Antelope Valley Campus:
Dr. Stacy Schmidt, sschmidt3@csub.edu
For Bakersfield Campus:
Ms. Holly Gonzales, hgonzales@csub.edu