District Intern Program

Multiple Subject Teaching Credential authorizes individuals to teach a variety of subjects in a self-contained classroom in preschool, transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, grades 1 through 12, and classes organized primarily for adults.

Single Subject Teaching Credential authorizes public school teaching in a departmentalized classroom in preschool, transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, grades 1 through 12, and classes organized primarily for adults. A Single Subject Teaching Credential authorizes an individual to teach in one of the specific content areas such as Agriculture, Art, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Dance, World Languages, General Science, Geoscience, Health Science, Home Economics, Industrial and Technology Education, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Physics, Social Science, and Theatre.

The Education Specialist Instruction Credential authorizes individuals to teach students with disabilities. This credential is separated into five distinct authorizations: Mild to Moderate Support Needs, Extensive Support Needs, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Visual Impairments, and Early Childhood Special Education.

Mathematics, Science, Special Education

Candidates are issued District Intern Credentials, a restricted credential for use with one approved program and a specific employer.

District intern programs are two or three-year programs operated by local school districts, schools, or county offices of education in consultation with accredited colleges and universities. District intern programs must meet the same standards of program quality and effectiveness as university sponsored intern programs. All intern programs are required to provide each intern with the support and assistance of a mentor teacher or other experienced educator, and to create and fulfill a professional development plan for the interns in the program.

In December 2007, the Commission took action to require confirmation that Multiple Subject, Single Subject, and Education Specialist interns completed 120 clock hours (or the semester and quarter unit equivalent) of initial teacher preparation prior to issuance of an Intern credential. This pre-service component must include foundational preparation in pedagogy, including classroom management and planning, reading/language arts, content- specific pedagogy, human development, and teaching English learners.

At its April 2013 meeting, the Commission took action to identify the range of content that is required to be included in the preservice portion of the Intern program related to the teaching of English learners. The content is a subset of the Commission’s program standard addressing the teaching of English learners, which must be addressed comprehensively in the full Intern program.

In addition, the Commission acted in 2014 to enhance the support and supervision provided to interns. Regulations took effect April 1, 2014, mandating that all interns be provided with an annual minimum of 144 hours of general support and supervision and 45 hours of support and supervision specific to teaching English learners (California Code of Regulations §80033).

California statues allow qualified individuals to become Multiple and Single Subject teachers through an Early Completion Option (ECO). Within this option, candidates who successfully complete a Commission-approved teaching foundations exam in their field, which includes teaching methods, learning development, diagnosis and intervention, classroom management and reading instruction (currently the National Evaluation Series (NES) Assessment of Professional Knowledge) and pass the Teaching Performance Assessment in their first attempt within the academic year may be granted an initial credential. Under SB 57, credential candidates still need to meet the existing legislated requirements of a bachelor’s degree, subject matter competence, U.S. Constitution, computer technology, basic skills, and character fitness to qualify for a credential. Those seeking the Multiple Subjects credential through the Early Completion Option also need to pass the RICA.