On June 29, 2024, Governor Newsom signed a budget trailer bill, SB 153 (Chap. 38, Statutes of 2024), that allow candidates to use their bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education as demonstration of the basic skills requirement, effective immediately. PSA 24-07 provides information on this change.
Background
On July 9, 2021, the Governor signed AB 130 (Chap. 44, Stats. 2021) which established new options for demonstrating the Basic Skills Requirement (BSR). The options allow the Commission and Commission-approved preparation programs to verify that a candidate or applicant has demonstrated basic skills proficiency by verifying qualifying college-level coursework. The bill does not waive the requirement.
Options available prior to AB 130:
- Pass the CBEST
- Pass the CSET: Multiple Subjects Plus Writing Skills Examination
- Pass the CSU Early Assessment Program or the CSU Placement Examinations
- Achieve Qualifying Score on the SAT or ACT
- College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations
- Pass a Basic Skills Examination from Another State
Additional options resulting from AB 130:
- Meet the Basic Skills Requirement by Coursework
- Meet the Basic Skills Requirement by Coursework and Exam
This information focuses on the new options resulting from AB 130. For information on all, including established, options for satisfying the Basic Skills Requirement, refer to Credential Leaflet CL-667.
Meet the Basic Skills Requirement by Coursework
Qualifying college-level coursework may be used to satisfy the Basic Skills Requirement if verified by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing or a Commission-approved preparation programs.
Acceptable Coursework:
- Must have earned a grade of "B-" or better, Pass/Credit acceptable if institution does not issue letter grades
- Must be completed at a Regionally Accredited institution, including community colleges
- Must have earned 3 semester units (or 4.5 quarter units)
- Must have been taken for academic credit
- Must be degree applicable (not remedial)
- For Reading: must be in the subject of critical thinking, literature, philosophy, reading, rhetoric, or textual analysis
- For Writing: must be in the subject of composition, English, rhetoric, written communications, or writing
- For Mathematics: must be in the subject of algebra, geometry, mathematics, quantitative reasoning, or statistics
NOT Acceptable Coursework:
- Professional development or continuing education units
- Inservice training or workshops
- Non-credit bearing courses
- Courses where credits do not apply toward the requirements for an Associate degree, Baccalaureate degree, or higher degree
Meet the Basic Skills Requirement by Combination of Coursework and Exam
Commission approved programs may use a mix and match from available options for candidates as well. For example, a candidate who has passed the CBEST subtests in reading and writing but not mathematics may use the two passed CBEST subtests and coursework that meets the mathematics criteria as listed above so long as the candidate earned a B or higher in that course and it was taken at a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
Who can verify my BSR coursework?
- A Commission-Approved Program
- The Commission on Teacher Credentialing (if applying directly)
CSUN Alumni: We are not evaluating coursework for CSUN alumni or for CSUN students who are not currently enrolled in a credential program. If you are applying directly to the CTC or through a school district for a substitute or other provisional permit you will need to have the CTC or the school district evaluate for BSR coursework. If the CTC or school district requires a letter from the English or Math department to determine if a course you want to use meets the basic skills requirement, you will need to submit a request form to the appropriate department.
For frequently asked questions regarding these new options, please visit the following link.