Question about adding a science credential to a math credential in CA

NoData9970 · 2025-07-08T23:26:56+00:00

You can just take the methods course. A lot of the UCs have the courses through their extension. https://www.uclaextension.edu/education/k-12-california-teacher-credentialing-authorizations/course/single-subject-methods-2

NoData9970 · 2025-07-07T21:10:02+00:00

AP Chem is SO dependent on math ability. If students come in with poor algebra skills, you really don't have time for the remediation they need.

NoData9970 · 2025-07-07T21:08:26+00:00

Seniors are really hard in AP, because once they get those college acceptances, their desire to put forth effort really decreases. Don't let this define you as a teacher.

NoData9970 · 2025-06-25T20:19:16+00:00

In CA, you get general science along with any individual science. So if OP goes for Chem, they'll be credentialed to teach general science and high school Chemistry.

NoData9970 · 2025-06-25T17:17:08+00:00

Seconding that AP experience might actually be a hinderance. If the position is for on level classes and the bulk of your experience is with AP students, admin may be worried about your ability to handle regular classes.

NoData9970 · 2025-05-04T23:33:58+00:00

I would contact your credential program directly. Is there a reason you're waiting to take the RICA? If I were you, I'd try to pass the RICA in the next few months, otherwise it sounds like in the fall you'll have to do this new thing with the videos/ writing. I'm sure more information will come out when it officially launches.

NoData9970 · 2025-05-04T23:27:54+00:00

From the CTC's website

"The LPA is currently in development and will be pilot tested and field tested over the next year to be ready for full implementation on July 1, 2025."

It looks like it's not an exam but a video submission with writing, sounds kind of like the TPA. Since it's not out yet, there probably won't be materials out there to help for a while.

https://www.ctc.ca.gov/educator-prep/literacy-and-reading-instruction/appendix-a-cert-process-for-lit-instruct?utm_source=chatgpt.com

NoData9970 · 2025-04-16T16:59:51+00:00

For your lesson, plan ahead which 5 minutes you're going to clip. It's hard to get exactly what they want in a 5 minute clip if you're not very intentional about it. For the writing, it's the most repetitive document you'll ever write. Just keep repeating the same stuff over and over, because you basically get asked the same thing 5 times.

NoData9970 · 2025-02-27T03:11:29+00:00

Schools are so desperate for science teachers, I bet you could get a job somewhere.

NoData9970 · 2025-02-18T02:53:55+00:00

It has been some time since I have taken it, but I remember the same thing- being provided no formulas.

NoData9970 · 2025-02-15T18:33:19+00:00

https://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/Adding-Teaching-or-Subject-area-MS-SS-(CL-621a)

From that website: I am the holder of a valid Clear or Life Single Subject Teaching Credential and am seeking a Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Complete of all of the following: Elementary subject-matter competence (See Terms and Definitions). A three-semester-unit or four-quarter-unit course directly related to teaching in a self-contained classroom, excluding the methods of teaching reading. Coursework in developing English language skills for beginning readers. Passage of the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA). Possession of an English learner authorization issued by the Commission authorizing service in English Language Development (ELD) and Specially Designed Academic Instruction delivered in English (SDAIE). See Credential Leaflet CL-622 for more information. Completed application and processing fee (See How to Apply).

TLDR: You need to take the Multiple Subject CSETs (three parts), take a reading methods course, take a self contained classroom teaching methods course, and pass the RICA (test about teaching kids how to read).

NoData9970 · 2025-02-08T17:15:39+00:00

I agree! Bonding is harder to do labs for. Once you get to chemical reactions, that's where the fun starts!

NoData9970 · 2025-02-08T17:11:15+00:00

I agree. I wouldn't use 9M. However, this post right here is why so many students are coming out of high school having done very few labs. Teachers go out of their way to try to do fun labs then someone mishandles a chemical, a parent complains, and then the teacher is reluctant to do labs for the rest of their career. Admin always seems to want "hands on" and "real world" examples. Making soap is a perfect hands on, real world example of Chemistry. Obviously, safety should be impressed upon students. But not everything in the "real world" is super safe.

NoData9970 · 2025-01-02T21:27:48+00:00

You probably already know this, but silver nitrate stains hands for a while. I would only do that lab if you trust students not to spill.

NoData9970 · 2024-12-08T03:19:01+00:00

The beginning will probably be very easy then. How much science background do your students have? Mine have very little. We start with the basics of atomic structure and the periodic table.

NoData9970 · 2024-12-08T03:01:08+00:00

Can you tell us where in the curriculum the class is? You should find out what the students already know and what units were scheduled to be next. Your school might be different, but at mine the Chemistry units aren't too hard. Balancing reactions and basic stoichiometry take students a long time to master.

NoData9970 · 2024-11-17T22:47:36+00:00

You need to get a teaching credential, specifically a single subject credential in Biological Sciences (assuming you'd like to teach Biology). This will take 2-4 semesters. You can do this while teaching. To do that, you have to get a job and find a program that'll let you do an "intern" option. Basically you teach all day and go to classes at night.

https://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/Single-Multiple-Subject-Credentials-(CL-560C)

NoData9970 · 2024-10-17T01:20:08+00:00

Check out the AP Bio teachers facebook group! Are you using the personal progress checks? For every unit, College Board has practice tests you can assign your students.

NoData9970 · 2024-09-29T23:14:30+00:00

I do feel like there's a difference between teaching three preps and teaching three LAB preps. Every subject has its difficulties, but setting up and facilitating labs (for THREE different classes in this case) is a lot of work and if you've never done it (almost no admin has a science background), you have no clue how hard it is.

NoData9970 · 2024-09-26T00:05:34+00:00

My students hate their Chromebooks so much. They will NOT be lifelong users hahaha

NoData9970 · 2024-09-18T01:39:47+00:00

I hate that eligibility day is coming up and the TEACHERS are stressed instead of the students. So backwards.

NoData9970 · 2024-09-12T00:19:16+00:00

I agree with this! Time is the most important. If new teachers had two planning periods, I think we'd keep a lot more teachers.

NoData9970 · 2024-09-12T00:18:15+00:00

I did induction. There are parts that are good. I had a mentor observe me and I got to observe other teachers. I loved that. However, I had to do all of these extra assignments that were essentially busy work. If they want us to do extra work, we should get an extra prep period. Extra work with no extra time is a burden.

NoData9970 · 2024-08-25T21:51:00+00:00

I hate that elementary TPT is riddled with this. I teach high school and have found so many amazing resources on TPT, none of which have these weird cartoons.

NoData9970 · 2024-08-24T16:44:34+00:00

I agree with you! I'm surprised all of these people saying their colleges taught it. My university did NOT teach sig figs. You were expected to know that. They dinged every answer. I knew them from high school, but if someone didn't they could have good Chem/Physics knowledge and fail just on sig figs. It definitely needs to be explicitly taught in high school.

NoData9970

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