> DR>1. Applied for a Preliminary credential. Before this application was 
made
 > I had to take the CBEST.
 > Sorry, donna, you lost me already we don't have such
 > terminology here.
 > so what is a Preliminary credential and the CBEST?
OK, if you ask that question, probably others did too in their minds.
The CBEST is the California Basic Educational Skills Test. All teacher 
candidates must take this test, which consists of three parts: Reading, 
Mathematics, and Writing. The reading and math portions are multiple choice, 
very objective questions. I took the test 12 years ago, so my memory of it is 
very vague, but the reading portion was mostly comprehension. The math 
section seemed to be a lot of algebra and geometry as well as basic math - 
nothing tougher than that. The writing section gave you two essay questions 
to respond to, and the graders would evaluate your writing skills from those. 
You have to have a certain score in each section in order to "pass" that 
section, but you can take it over again (for more $$$) if you need to. (When 
I took it, the cost was about $66 or so - I think it's more now.)
California has several different credential levels. The two most commonly 
used ones now are Temporary, Preliminary and Clear. A Temporary is just that 
- maybe for a year or so, if the person is willing to take the one missing 
course or test, and then that one is only renewable for an upgraded 
credential. If one is missing more than one or two courses, then a 
Preliminary Credential is awarded. That gives a person five years to come up 
with the missing courses. In my case, I was missing about five courses, so it 
gave me one year for each course. Preliminary credentials also cannot be 
renewed except by upgrading. A Clear Credential means everything is 
satisfactory. Clear credentials are renewable, as long as you complete 1/2 
year of classroom teaching (subbing is acceptable) and take 150 hours of 
professional growth. There are other credentials, most of them remnants of 
previous credential systems. This is the one that I've been under since 1983.
I started with a one year Temporary credential, with the stipulation that I 
had to take the NTE (see below). I then upgraded to a Preliminary. Since I 
did not take my college work in California, I was given 5 years to take 
Mainstreaming (special ed), Computers in Ed, Health Ed, and 2 other courses. 
I finished that work and then applied, when the Prelim expired, for a Clear 
Credential. I'm on my 2nd clear credential.
 > Ditto NTE?
National Teacher Exam. There are several sections to this test, including 
"General Subjects". I was required to take the general subjects section when 
I was trying to come into this state. I had a one-year temporary credential 
with this requirement on it. The general subjects seemed to have a lot of 
music, art, and history questions on it. I didn't do too badly on the music 
or history part ... but the art section about blew me away.
BTW, the California credential process...CBEST, NTE, fingerprinting, and the 
credential itself, cost me over $225 in 1983-1985. A credential is $70 itself 
to renew these days - and that's only if you apply for one credential. (I'm 
actually qualified for another one, but since I never intend to use it, I 
won't pay California another $70 for the privilege of issuing me a Single 
Subject Music credential. All one needs to teach K-8 Music is a Multiple 
Subjects credential with a Music supplement - and the supplement doesn't cost 
any extra.
                                 -donna
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