Teacher Preparation Program

What kind of teachers will be needed? It depends. Some states, including California, will experience large enrollment increases. In addition to fast growing suburban areas, many jobs are available in inner city schools and rural areas. Also, some districts have difficulty finding qualified teachers in some subject areas such as math, science, and special education. Teachers who are geographically mobile and can teach in more than one area have a distinct advantage. Some districts offer incentives such as loan forgiveness and assistance in home buying to attract teachers. It is expected that the supply of teachers will increase as people realize the need for teachers has increased. Where will this supply come from? Perhaps from career changes, substitute teachers, paraprofessionals, teachers completing alternative certification programs, and community college students.

In addition to completing the Los Rios Community College District teacher education coursework, requirements for transfer to California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) include the following:

• Complete second semester of college level foreign language classes OR have completed 3 years of the same language in high school or 2 years of one language and 2 years of another language with C's or better, have graduated from a high school where English was not the primary language, have passed the AP exam, or be fluent in a language other than English. It is best to see a CSUS Liberal Studies counselor for further details and options for this requirement.
• Maintain a 2.0 grade point average (GPA) in the transfer coursework.
• Complete the application to California State University, Sacramento (CSUS).
• Take and pass the CSUS IAD -- Intermediate Algebra Diagnostic -- right after completing Math.
• Take and pass the CSUS essay exam, the WPJ -- Written Proficiency Exam for Juniors. A CSUS Student ID # is needed to register for the exam. This number is on your CSUS application.
• Take the CBEST exam -- California Educational Basic Skill Test -- after completing English and Math classes.
• Meet with a CSUS Liberal Studies counselor at least two (2) semesters prior to transfer to CSUS. Los Rios Colleges have CSUS transfer counselors available on the campuses on a limited basis. Check at the counseling office for their days and times.
• Volunteer as often as possible for programs working with children.

A number of support services for teacher education students are available at Los Rios Colleges

• Teacher Prep Coordinator has information about coursework required for transfer to the CSU system and other pathways to a career in teaching.
• Counseling Center has counselors who have expertise to help students select the proper courses to prepare for a career in teaching. Check with the Teacher Prep Coordinator for specific counselor names.
• Learning Resource Centers offer academic support for teaching candidates who may need extra skills in reading, writing or mathematics.
• Financial Aid Office staff can give advice about opportunities for financial support, including financial aid, scholarships, grants, and work study.
• Computers for student use are available in the Learning Resource Centers and the Library.
• Cal Teach is available at www.calteach.com for support for teaching candidates.
• SCTA (Student California Teacher Association) is a campus club offering its members conferences and workshops for perspective teachers. Membership and more information available at http://www.studentcta.org

What kind of teachers will be needed? It depends. Some states, including California, will experience large enrollment increases. In addition to fast growing suburban areas, many jobs are available in inner city schools and rural areas. Also, some districts have difficulty finding qualified teachers in some subject areas such as math, science, and special education. Teachers who are geographically mobile and can teach in more than one area have a distinct advantage. Some districts offer incentives such as loan forgiveness and assistance in home buying to attract teachers. It is expected that the supply of teachers will increase as people realize the need for teachers has increased. Where will this supply come from? Perhaps from career changes, substitute teachers, paraprofessionals, teachers completing alternative certification programs, and community college students.

Traditional teacher preparation programs require that you obtain a bachelor's degree and then apply to a teacher credential program, which will take an additional 2-3 semesters of coursework and student teaching to obtain your teaching credential. In addition to BA in any subject, completion of subject matter competency, CBEST, 2.7 GPA, experience with target population. Time for full-time student: 5+ years.

All lower division coursework can be completed at a Los Rios college. The teacher preparation program at the Los Rios colleges is designed to provide for seamless transfer to California State University Sacramento (CSUS).

Yes. If you have some coursework already completed at a Los Rios college and you are interested in becoming a teacher, see a counselor to determine which pathway to teaching option is best for you.

If you already have a degree, the traditional 5th year of education and student teaching through CSUS or another four-year college or university is the best path for you to follow. Contact a counselor at CSUS or another credentialing for more information.

All colleges have financial aid offices that offer support for students. Many students qualify for financial aid who never even apply. The deadline dates are very early, however, and students need to have all forms submitted by March 1 for the following school year. See your financial aid officer for details well in advance of March 1.

As part of every credential program, students take four courses in an "area of concentration." The most common ones are Human Development, Social Sciences, Math, and English. You may be able to take one or more of those courses at a LRCC. Check with your advisor at CSUS before assuming a course will work and signing up for it.

You will begin the professional phase after you have finished about 60 units of undergraduate work, and to gain admittance, you must have:

• At least a 2.7 GPA in your transfer course work.
• Verification of two approved field experience courses (your transcript of passing the courses at Los Rios colleges is sufficient)
• 2 letters of recommendation, one from a field experience teacher or supervisor, and another from a faculty member.
• Professional goal statement.
• Official transcripts (1 CSUS and 2 non-CSUS)
• Interview
• Pass the CBEST
• Pass the Writing Proficiency Exam (WPJ) at CSUS.

You will do your student teaching when you complete your BA, and it lasts for two/three semesters. You will be assigned to an elementary school, and you will work extensively with a master teacher who will encourage and guide you.

Besides the normal exams you take as part of every class, you can expect to take a number of exams before you earn your credential through CSUS.

• Math IAD, the Mathematics Intermediate Algebra Diagnostic. This exam is required by CSUS before you can take any of the math courses at CSUS. You should take this (in the college testing center) as soon as you have passed the Intermediate Algebra course.
• CBEST, the California Educational Basic Skills Test. This exam can be taken at any time (no later than the October prior to your spring CSUS transfer), and your scores remain in effect forever. You can take it as many times as you need, but you should take it as soon as you pass the lower division Math and Writing classes.
• WPJ, the Writing Proficiency Exam for Juniors. This is a CSUS graduation requirement, and you should take it soon after you finish your lower division writing course work (no later than the September prior to your spring CSUS transfer).
• CSET, the California Subject Examination for Teachers. This exam must be passed before you can begin student teaching. This exam does not need to be taken all at once; you can take it part by part.

Once you have a credential it is easy to add on a second credential by taking additional credential course work. High school teachers have a single subject credential as opposed to the multiple subject credential that elementary teachers have. To earn this kind of credential, you must pass the subject matter examination in the subject area you wish to teach, such as math, English, history or Spanish.

This phenomenon was a severe problem for the teaching profession a few years ago, and many changes have been enacted to counteract it:

• Credentialing schools now require early field experience so that students have a better idea that teaching is the career they really want.
• School districts have implemented much better new teacher support programs so that new teachers have the connections and help they need to enter and successfully remain in the profession.

A few years ago, when the teacher shortage was especially severe, many districts were hiring people without credentials to teach in their schools. Now, however, with an increase in the supply of teachers, such practices are becoming very rare.

If you did not take and pass geometry in high school, you will have to take it in college. If you can show a high school transcript with geometry, you do not have to take it.
Q: Does everybody have to take the Intermediate Algebra class before taking Math 310?
No, some students do not have to take Intermediate Algebra. If you have a very strong math background, do well on the math placement test, you can bypass the prerequisite and move directly on to Math 310. Talk to your counselor if you think you qualify.