#teaching credentials

[somethingusefulfromflorida]

Life will always find new hurdles to throw at me.

I’ve been working towards my teaching credentials over the last few months, and I’ve just been informed that there are a ton of extra hoops I’ll need to jump through.  There are two major entities involved here, the Florida Department of Education and the company that provides the tests.  Every time I call one of them, they refer me to the other and hang up.  Every time I ask what my requirements are and how I can meet them, they put me on hold for an hour and don’t tell me anything useful.  I was finally able to pry some info out of them and move forward, but I’m still as far away from my goal as I was a month ago because they’ve moved the finishing line.

in June, I was told I needed to take two tests; a general knowledge test and a subject specific test (in my case, English, because that’s my major and that’s what I want to teach).  Each test costs $150, and each subtest within them costs $75 to retake if I don’t get a passing score.  Oh, and they don’t TELL you your scores, they just tell you whether you pass or fail; I passed the multiple choice subtest of my English test, but I have no idea whether I aced it or if I just barely eked by.  They haven’t even graded my essay portion yet.

NOW I’m being told that there’s a THIRD test I need to take, a “Professional Education” test, which seems redundant considering that that’s what the general knowledge and subject area tests are for.  On top of this, I’m also being told that I wasn’t suppose to just TAKE the test I took, I was supposed to apply with the state and THEN take it, and of course the application process costs $100 on top of the costs for my college transcripts, so I’m going nowhere fast.

When I apply, I’ll be assessed to see if I’m even eligible to earn my credentials, which is redundant because, again, that’s what the tests are for!  This isn’t even for my permanent credentials (I’ll need to go back to school and take a few education classes for that), this is just for temporary credentials which would allow me to teach so long as I was working towards my full credentials.  I need my temporary credentials so I can get a teaching job so I can afford to go to school so I can get my full credentials so I can get a teaching job.  Catch-22.

I don’t even want to teach this year anyway, it’s way too dangerous.  I can’t believe Florida is making all of its schools reopen, full time, no masks required for the teachers or the students!  This state is a DUMPSTER FIRE and I hate it so much.

[somethingusefulfromflorida]

I’m taking the first test towards my teaching credentials tomorrow.  I feel like I’m gonna throw up.

[santaclaralocalnews]

EdSource: Number of New Teaching Credentials Dips for Second Year in a Row - The Silicon Valley Voice

According to new numbers from the state, the number of new teacher credentials issued by the state has dipped in the past few years.

California issued fewer K-12 teaching credentials for a second year in a row and fewer students enrolled in teacher preparation programs during the 2022-23 school year, exacerbating the state’s ongoing teacher shortage. The state bestowed 14,636 new teaching credentials during the 2022-23 school year, the most recent year data is available, nearly 2,000 fewer credentials than the previous year, according to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing’s “Teacher Supply Report.” The previous year, the number of credentials issued in California dropped by more than 3,000. Read complete news at svvoice.com.

[offbeatteacher]

Taking the CBEST out of state?

Has anyone taken the California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST) outside of California?

I am looking at the computer based test that I have been planning to take this summer during a quick sprint to California. Out of curiosity I checked for testing sites in my state and lo' and behold, it says there are testing sites very close to me. It's rather aggravating, because if I can take it here, it means I could have done this a long time ago. I still don't completely believe that I can, nor do I know if I will run into any complications if I take it here. 

Have you taken the CBEST outside of California? What was your experience like. Thanks for sharing!

[nicolyrolypoly]

TPA 1 is due tonight by midnight. I will be crying and writing all day. But mostly crying. 

[datzhott]

Mike Weekley’s bowling and teaching credentials growing

That’s no typo.Mike Weekley is averaging two hundred thirty-one in the “Guys and Dolls” League at AMF Woodlake Lanes in Woodland Hills.That certainly ranks among the very elite of league bowlers in the…

Read more here: examiner los angles

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[nicolyrolypoly]

Got my scores for my CBEST

I passed!! But I did terribly :/ I barely passed the writing section which is lame because I always do well on essays. At least I don't have to retake it though. 

[josephmotisi-blog]

Required Teaching Credentials in California by Joseph S. Motisi

By Joseph Motisi

Possessing nearly a decade of teaching experience in California, Joseph S. Motisi currently holds a Professional Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Every state has its own sets of rules and regulations pertaining to teaching qualifications in each level of the education system. In California, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing oversees this process; the organization sets the standards by which all of the schools in the state must abide. A different credential is required to teach elementary, high school, and special education students. A brief overview of each appears below.

Multiple Subject Teaching Credential (K-8): This qualifies teachers to instruct in elementary school classrooms, as well as in other settings in special circumstances. Candidates who meet all of the preliminary qualifications have several options for acquiring the clear credential, including completing a state-approved program, undergoing a fifth year of study at a California institution of higher learning, or earning certification from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards.

Single Subject Teaching Credential (K-12): Teachers can choose from a diverse range of subjects to specialize in, from science and mathematics to business and home economics. The process for certification remains similar to that for the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. All candidates who receive a credential in a specific subject must be recommended to the Commission by the institution where they attained the credential.

Education Specialist Credential: Required to instruct special education students, this credential is divided into two separate levels. To achieve the Level I credential, applicants must complete postsecondary education and satisfy the basic skills requirement. After meeting these goals, a candidate must complete extensive training in health and computer education, plus two years of classroom instruction.

By Joseph Motisi