Basic Skills Proficiency

The California Education Code and Title 5 Regulations specify that applicants for a credential, certificate, or permit to serve in the public schools of California must verify basic skills proficiency before the credential, certificate, or permit will be issued. California Lutheran University requires the exam to be passed prior to the first semester of clinical practice/practicum is to begin.

OPTIONS FOR MEETING THE BASIC SKILLS REQUIREMENT (Individuals may satisfy the basic skills requirement by one of the following methods):

1. Possess a bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited Institution of Higher Education Submission of an official transcript with a bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited Institution of Higher Education will automatically qualify on meeting proficiency.
2. Pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST)-CBEST is administered by National Evaluation Systems, Inc.  Test schedules, test sites, registration, and other important information is available online at the CBEST web site.
3. Pass the CSET: Multiple Subjects Plus Writing Skills Exam-The CSET: Multiple Subjects exam has been modified, adding an assessment of basic writing skills. Passage of the CSET: Writing Skills exam (test #142) can be added to the passage of the CSET: Multiple Subjects exam (subtests #101, 214 & 103). This route will only satisfy Multiple Subjects credential requirements or Education Specialist programs.
4. Achieve Qualifiying Score on the SAT or ACT-Individuals having earned a score of 500 or higher on the English and 550 or higher on the Math portions of the SAT exam prior to March 2016 are determined to have met the requirement. Individuals having earned a score of 560 or higher on the English and 570 or higher on the Math portions of the SAT exam after March 2016 are determined to have met the requirement. Individuals having earned a score of 22 or higher on the English and 23 or higher on the Math portions of the ACT exam are determined to have met the requirement.
5. College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations-Students who achieved a score of 3 or higher on the College Board AP English AND AP Calculus or AP Statistics may use these exam scores to meet the requirement.
6. Coursework Only Route-Passage of courses in reading, writing, and mathematics as outlined below. Courses must have been taken at a regionally-accredited college or university for credit, passed with a grade of B or better, be degree applicable, and be either 3 semester or 4 quarter units. Qualifying coursework does not include professional development or continuing education units or in-service training or workshops.

- 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.

7. Coursework and Exam-The Basic Skills Requirement can be met through a combination of applicable courses and qualifying exams. The qualifying coursework must meet the requirements as describe above in item number 5.

The mixing-and-matching of relevant component or components from all exam options permitted under current law is acceptable.

 **A course that does not fall within the indicated areas may still qualify with additional letter of explanation. A letter from the registrar or relevant department chair of the college or university must state that a course passed by the applicant covered reading, writing, or mathematics at the same level as one of the listed courses. Such a letter could also attest that a single course sufficiently indicates proficiency in reading and writing combined.

For all public school teachers, counselors, and administrators, exemptions to this requirement are:

• Renewal, reissuance, or upgrading of existing non-emergency credentials, certificates, or permits unless it is specifically indicated as a renewal requirement on the document
• Exchange Certificated Employee Credential, the Sojourn Certificated Employee Credential, Designated Subjects Supervision and Coordination Credential, and Emergency Substitute Permit for Prospective Teachers.

Official verification: A student will submit the original transcsript or score report, at the time of admission, to the Credentials Office. It is important that candidates maintain all official documentation of transcript or exam results and other credential documentation for future verification purposes.