Preconditions Preliminary Special Education

Preconditions for Education Specialist Programs Preliminary Education Specialist 

1. English Language Skills

In each program of professional preparation, the college or university or school district requires candidates to demonstrate knowledge of alternative methods of developing English language skills, including reading, among all pupils, including those for whom English is a second language, in accordance with the Commission's standards. Reference: Education Code Sections 44227, 44253.1, and 44283.
 

Response:
In all special education methods courses, each Preliminary Education Specialist candidate at CSUB is required to demonstrate his/her knowledge of and appropriate use of alternative methods of instruction to adequately address the developing English language skills of diverse learners. Candidates also complete EDTE 4100 — Teaching Diverse Students in Inclusive Settings (Syllabus) and successfully pass the Reading Instructional Competence Assessment (RICA). Passage of the RICA is required for the issuance of the Preliminary Education Specialist Credential unless the candidate holds a valid California Multiple Subject or Single Subject credential.

2. Program Admission

The sponsor of an education specialist teacher preparation program assesses each candidate's standing in relation to required subject matter preparation during the admissions process. The program admits only those candidates who meet one of the following criteria. Reference: Education Code Sections 44227 (a).

  • The candidate provides evidence of having passed the appropriate subject matter examination(s).
  • The candidate provides evidence of having attempted the appropriate subject matter examination(s).
  • The candidate provides evidence of registration for the next scheduled examination.
  • The candidate provides evidence of having completed an appropriate Commission approved subject matter preparation program.
  • The candidate provides evidence of continuous progress toward meeting the subject matter requirement.
  • The candidate provides evidence of enrollment in an organized subject matter examination preparation program.
     

Response:
The Preliminary Education Specialist credential program at CSUB prepares candidates for the rigors of the 21st century classroom while allowing for the completion of the credential or completion of a master's degree and the credential.

Candidates first apply to CSUB electronically via CSU Apply and then apply for program admission. Admission Requirements are listed and detailed in the Preliminary Education Specialist Credential Program Fact Sheet, available on the Special Education Program website. The Education Specialist Program Faculty and Evaluators detail the requirements for demonstrating subject matter competence.

Candidates are required to provide evidence of having met the subject matter competence requirement as a basis for admission to the program and do so by providing evidence of one of the following:

  • Possession of a valid California Multiple or Single Subject teaching credential,
  • Provide verification of completion of a Commission approved Subject Matter Preparation Program, or
  • Passage of the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET) in either Multiple Subject or a core content area of the Single Subject (Program Handbook page 10 and Program Application).
  • Conditional Admission: Applicants who pass a minimum of 1 of the 3 sections of the CSET exam can apply for a conditional admission to the program. The applicant must have all CSET's subtests completed prior to final student teaching (Program Application).
  • CSUB offered COVID-19 basic skills requirement accommodations for Special Education 2021 applicants (COVID-19 accommodations document).

3. Subject Matter Proficiency

The approved teacher preparation program sponsor determines that each candidate meets the subject matter requirement prior to solo teaching, or, for intern candidates, before being given daily whole class instructional responsibilities in a K-12 school or before becoming the teacher of record in a K-12 school. Reference: Education Code Section 44227. To demonstrate subject matter competence, a candidate for an Education Specialist teaching credential, except for the Early Childhood Special Education credential, shall:

  1. Pass the Commission-approved Multiple Subject matter examination; or pass a Commission-approved subject matter examination in Art, English, Mathematics, including foundational-level Mathematics, Music, Social Science or Science, including foundational-level General Science; or
  2. Complete a Commission-approved subject matter program in Art, Elementary, English, Mathematics including foundational-level Mathematics, Music, Social Science or Science, including foundational-level General Science; or 
  3. Hold a California general education teaching credential in any subject.
     

Response:
Candidates in the Education Specialist Credential Program at CSUB are required to provide evidence of having met the subject matter competence requirement as a basis for full admission to the program and therefore meet the requirement prior to student teaching. Applicants who pass a minimum of 1 of the 3 sections of the CSET exam may apply for conditional admission to the program. The candidate must be subject matter competent via coursework or exam prior to final student teaching. This requirement is listed and detailed in the Admissions Requirements on the Preliminary Education Specialist Credential Program Fact Sheet, available on the Special Education Program website. The subject matter requirement is also clearly detailed on page 10 of the Special Education Preliminary and Intern Credential Handbook. Candidates who were granted conditional admission to the program must submit evidence of passage of the remaining subtest(s) within one semester of enrolling.

Integrated Program Students Only: Each candidate in an integrated undergraduate program must have satisfied subject matter or at a minimum completed four-fifths of the Commission-approved subject matter preparation program prior to beginning solo teaching (e.g., student teaching). The candidate is informed of the subject matter competency requirement at multiple points throughout the program (information session, each advising session, early field experience courses prior to a final student teaching). The program also provides the language in the Program Brochure and in the Program Handbook.

Candidate progress is tracked by program evaluators via the University Student HRM system, PeopleSoft. Program faculty and staff have access to candidate files for verification of subject matter proficiency prior to placement for solo teaching. CSUB is happy to provide access to PeopleSoft on site. Candidates submit a Placement Request Form to the program evaluator each semester for review. Once requirements are verified, the evaluator sends the request form to the placement coordinator to initiate district placements.

4. Completion of Requirements

A college or university or school district that operates a program for the Education Specialist teaching credential shall determine, prior to recommending a candidate for the credential, that the candidate meets all legal requirements for the credential, including but not limited to: Reference: Education Code Sections 44225(a), 44227, and 44283.2(a).

  • Possession of a baccalaureate or higher degree other than in professional education from a regionally accredited institution
  • Satisfaction of the Basic Skills Requirement
  • Completion of an accredited professional preparation program
  • Completion of the subject matter requirement
  • Demonstration of knowledge of the principles and provisions of the Constitution of the United States
  • Passage of the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) [Passage of the RICA examination does not apply to Early Childhood Special Education Credential candidates Section 44283.2(b).]

Response:
The preparation to recommend a candidate for the Education Specialist Credential begins at the program admission phase. To be admitted to the Education Specialist Credential Program at CSUB, candidates initially provide evidence of the following credential requirements:

  • Possession of a BA/BS or higher from a regionally accredited institution

  • Satisfaction of the Basic Skills Requirement (e.g. CBEST)
  • Completion of the subject matter requirement
  • Certificate of Clearance Issuance
  • GPA of 2.67 overall or 2.75 last 90 quarter/60 semester units
  • Health clearance (TB/MMR)

Upon completion of all of the professional preparation program coursework and clinical practice outlined on the candidate's Credential Program Plan (SPED Program Plan), candidates must complete a Preliminary Credential Application, which requires that candidates submit documentation/evidence of completion of the remaining requirements:

  • U.S. Constitution Course or equivalent

  • Passage of the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA)
  • Health Education
  • Valid CPR certificate
  • Completion of the CSU Exit Survey.

The credential analyst evaluates the credential application (page 2) of each Education Specialist credential candidate to ensure that all of the legal requirements have been met prior to recommending a candidate for the credential. Each legal requirement is recorded on the recommendation form that accompanies the 41-4 application to the CCTC, with supporting evidence noted.