Credit: Yuri Arcurs / Getty Images
Credit: Yuri Arcurs / Getty ImagesThe end of the legislative session Monday meant the demise of three bills that would have allowed teachers to take fewer tests to prove they are ready to teach. But the Legislature also approved a trailer bill that will allow more teachers to take advantage of an executive order postponing tests.
Assembly Bill 1982 would have temporarily given teacher candidates the option to use university coursework to replace the required California Basic Educational Skills Test. Assembly Bill 2485 would have offered the same option in place of the California Subject Examinations for Teachers. Senate Bill 614 would have eliminated the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment and replaced it with a basic writing skills test on Teacher Performance Assessments.
The trailer bill extends a temporary reprieve Gov. Gavin Newsom gave to teacher candidates in May. It allowed those who couldn’t take required tests between March 19 and Aug. 31 of this year, because of testing center closures, to enter teacher preparation programs without passing the California Basic Educational Skills Test. It also allowed teacher candidates to enter internship programs without passing required tests in the California Subject Examinations for Teachers and to earn preliminary credentials without passing the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment. The trailer bill passed Monday extends the eligibility period to Aug. 31, 2021.
The two Assembly bills were set to sunset in three years if approved. But the Senate bill, originally introduced during last year’s legislative session by Sen. Susan Rubio, D-Covina, would have permanently replaced the reading instruction test. The bill ran into opposition from some education reformers.
None of the bills made it to the floor of the Legislature for a vote. Both Assembly bills stalled because Senate Education Committee Chairwoman Sen. Connie Leyva, D-Chino, decided that all Assembly bills had to be directly related to Covid-19 to be passed, according to Sasha Horwitz, spokesman for the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
The commission, which sponsored Assembly Bill 2485, is considering reintroducing it next year, Horwitz said. The bill had no opposition. There has been no decision yet on whether Assembly Bill 1982 will be reintroduced, said Gianna Rogers, a staff member for State Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham, R-San Luis Obispo, who authored the bill. Rubio said she will consider reintroducing SB 614 next year.
“Teachers are better prepared to teach our children when they have real-life, hands-on experience, which is what the bill intended to provide to teacher candidates, in a real-time classroom setting,” Rubio said in a statement. “Doing what we have done for over 20 years is not working. We need to do what’s best for students.”
Andrew Collins, 34, wanted the RICA bill to pass, so he could earn a teaching credential, but he’s done waiting. After four years and seven attempts to pass the test he plans to collect his master’s degree and move on.
“There are other ways I can work with students,” Collins said Monday.
Collins, who lives in El Granada in San Mateo County, graduated from Pacific Oaks College. He completed his student teaching in San Mateo, but couldn’t pass the RICA.
It’s not really an option to take the test again, he said. The course requirements to earn a credential at his school have changed since he withdrew three years ago, and he would have to take several new courses.
Almost all teachers are required to pass these four tests:
- California Basic Educational Skills Test, or CBEST, which tests reading, math and writing skills and is usually taken before a student is accepted into a teacher preparation program.
- California Subject Examinations for Teachers, referred to as CSET, tests subject knowledge. Elementary school and special education teachers earn a multiple subject credential by passing a trio of tests — in science and math; reading, language, literature, history and social science; and physical education, human development and visual and performing arts. Middle and high school teachers earn single subject credentials in areas such as art, biology or English by passing at least one subject exam.
- Reading Instruction Competence Assessment, which tests reading instruction, is required for elementary and special education teachers before they obtain a credential.
- California Teaching Performance Assessment, which measures how well teacher candidates assess students, design instruction, organize subject matter and other skills. The test must be taken by all teachers, except special education teachers, before they can earn a credential.
About 40% of teacher candidates give up because they fail to pass the required tests at various steps along the path to getting their credential, according to data from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Teacher candidates have seen some relief from required tests from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and Newsom.
Newsom’s May order postponing required teacher tests also postponed the Teaching Performance Assessment, which evaluates a teacher candidate’s work in the classroom. Candidates who were in the process of completing the test while working at a school that closed during the pandemic are eligible for the extension. The order does not waive any of the tests, but allows teacher candidates to take some tests later in their teacher preparation programs and some before earning a clear credential.
The Commission on Teacher Credentialing also passed several resolutions in April that made it easier for teacher candidates to move into classrooms despite campus and testing site closures due to the pandemic. The resolutions allow university programs to apply for waivers for candidates who have not completed all their credentialing requirements and allow teacher candidates more time to take some tests.
In the meantime, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing continues to review all the tests and assessments that teachers are required to take to enter the profession, holding meetings and workshops over the last four years to consider potential changes or replacements to exams. The commission does not have the power to eliminate or make substantial changes to tests mandated by state law, however. That must be done by legislation or executive order.
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Chris Boosalis 1 year ago1 year ago
I chose to support the repeal. Let me begin by stating that passing RICA is a true accomplishment. It is not an easy exam by any means, and one must study with dedication and demonstrate that understanding under timed conditions and in a variety of ways. I do not think that anyone passes the test by accident or chance; therefore, a successful score on RICA is something to be quite proud of and worthy of … Read More
I chose to support the repeal. Let me begin by stating that passing RICA is a true accomplishment. It is not an easy exam by any means, and one must study with dedication and demonstrate that understanding under timed conditions and in a variety of ways. I do not think that anyone passes the test by accident or chance; therefore, a successful score on RICA is something to be quite proud of and worthy of celebration.
My objections about the test pertain to the current design of the RICA. Three specific areas have bothered me for years, and I was happy to support of the bill and its remedies. For those who care to read further, my objections are elaborated below.
1. Ten of the seventy questions on the multiple-choice questions do not count toward one’s score, as they are “pilot questions.” I do not think this is at all fair, because candidates may spend an inordinate amount of time trying to figure out questions that do not count toward one’s score. Such questions burn up one’s mental energy and precious time. There are other and more honest ways that a multi-billion-dollar, multinational corporation could pilot such questions, but the architects of the contract with the state constructed a very nice deal for themselves here – and passed the expense on to test takers. In my opinion, one signs up to take a test on reading instruction, but not to be a guinea pig or a rhesus monkey.
2. The order of the essay questions is another example of the architects’ gaming the exam in favor of failure, in my opinion. The questions that count the least are presented first followed by the moderately valued questions next and the most valuable essay, the case study, is last. Early on, candidates would routinely run out of time taking the test, and I am sure that it is still the bane of many candidates who find themselves retaking the exam. These types of assessments are subject to rigorous study, and the structure of the test could have been radically different to achieve the same ends. They know that and I know that. For example, the MTEL Foundations of Reading achieves the same ends with 100 multiple-choice questions and two written responses – why can’t RICA? https://www.mtel.nesinc.com/TestView….
3. When candidates fail the test, it is hard for them to know precisely why they were unsuccessful. Most of the domain-scores are derived from a combination of related multiple-choice questions and an essay, and that makes it very difficult to help a candidate understand what went wrong. Only the Case Study yields a separate score, but one must still guess if it was the writing or the multiple-choice questions that went wrong.
In closing, the design of the recent assessment is what has bothered me for quite some time. I do understand that the test has been broken into three subtests now, but the above issue remain. Again, it is the structure is of the test, including both the pilot questions and the order of the essay, and the opaque scoring put test-takers in a hole from the start and keeps them in the dark if the attempt is unsuccessful. Such tricks, as I see them, belong on Coney Island or at the county fair – but not on a high-stakes exam like RICA.
Yours,
Chris Boosalis
Chris Boosalis 1 year ago1 year ago
I offer free, no cost RICA test preparation videos on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/chrisboosalis. All of the videos are in the public domain and are offered as a public service to teachers at no cost. I wish everyone the best of success. People can and do pass these tests, and these free resources are a good part of one’s test preparation.
Jennifer M Hudson 2 years ago2 years ago
90 minutue’s is not enough time to write 2 essays. Including editing both essays, which is unfair. They should allow testers to pick either essay prompt.
Jonathon B 2 years ago2 years ago
Imagine you have two runners. One is a master of the 100 meter dash, going extremely fast for short periods. The other is a marathon runner, able to go dozens of miles without stopping. If you put the sprinter in the marathon, they will do poorly and if you put the marathon runner in the 100 meter dash, they will do poorly. Neither are bad runners, but they have very different styles. I feel like … Read More
Imagine you have two runners. One is a master of the 100 meter dash, going extremely fast for short periods. The other is a marathon runner, able to go dozens of miles without stopping. If you put the sprinter in the marathon, they will do poorly and if you put the marathon runner in the 100 meter dash, they will do poorly. Neither are bad runners, but they have very different styles. I feel like only having the option to take a test to become certified is like only allowing sprinters. We should allow college credits to serve as a way for teachers to become certified. Many candidates know their stuff, but they are poor test takers. We need a greater variety of ways for candidates to become certified if we are going to address the teacher shortage here in California.
Claire Smith 2 years ago2 years ago
These tests are not an accurate description or representation of what someone knows or does not know. Not everyone is good at taking tests, like myself. I have worked so hard to earn so far a 3.56 I feel like my grades don't matter anymore, because of all these tests we have to take. A test cannot determine my full potential. I don't want to be discouraged to not be a teacher because of these … Read More
These tests are not an accurate description or representation of what someone knows or does not know. Not everyone is good at taking tests, like myself. I have worked so hard to earn so far a 3.56 I feel like my grades don’t matter anymore, because of all these tests we have to take. A test cannot determine my full potential. I don’t want to be discouraged to not be a teacher because of these ridiculously hard tests.
I wish that my hard work and amazing grades would be able to show how much knowledge I know. We are always learning new things every day, why should we have a single test to determine how much I know at that one point in time. I have learned so much since my first test.
Maria Gamez 2 years ago2 years ago
We need to stop thinking about us and start thinking about what is best for our kids. There is no evidence that those test are going to create quality teachers. I can see the big disaster in the next years. Retire teachers plus no one passing these tests equal a big mess in California. Or computers are going to replace teachers.
Don Doe 2 years ago2 years ago
What happens when we cant even take the test because of continued cancellations? CA again failing during this pandemic. I’ve taught for over 6 years, will have completed my credential program in March without being able to take these tests due to closures. I don’t want to hear how standardized test show competency for working with students. As someone pursuing physical education, 4 years as a college athlete should count for something..
Seth 3 years ago3 years ago
I am ok with the bills not passing. I have been a teacher for over 10 years. Lowering the bar is not good. We expect students to pass exams – so why can't those who want to be teachers. Please, the exams are really not that hard (sorry if that sounds mean). I do not want to work with bottom of barrel people. I work with several veteran teachers that did not have to pass … Read More
I am ok with the bills not passing. I have been a teacher for over 10 years. Lowering the bar is not good. We expect students to pass exams – so why can’t those who want to be teachers. Please, the exams are really not that hard (sorry if that sounds mean). I do not want to work with bottom of barrel people.
I work with several veteran teachers that did not have to pass high teacher requirements that were put into place in 2004. I can immediately tell the teachers of high quality that began teaching after 2004 and those teachers that started before. I do not want to see low quality teachers coming in because of eliminating exams that are meant to keep less than ideal people out of the profession. Private school teaching and other positions are available.
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Jake 3 years ago3 years ago
No one has been able to point a correlation between passing tests and teacher efficacy. If this was the case, we should now be a state with one of the highest tests scores in the country. Not the case. The fact of the matter is, there are several teachers in a classroom that passed a test who are awful teachers. We need to place a bigger emphasis on intern teaching. That is the only way … Read More
No one has been able to point a correlation between passing tests and teacher efficacy. If this was the case, we should now be a state with one of the highest tests scores in the country. Not the case.
The fact of the matter is, there are several teachers in a classroom that passed a test who are awful teachers. We need to place a bigger emphasis on intern teaching. That is the only way to weed out good teachers from the bad. Sometimes it’s innate.
Additionally, to say “the exams are really not that hard” is highly concerning coming from a teacher. If the majority of your students fail a test (as the majority do in CSETs, RICA, etc) do you consider alternatives beyond “they should have know this”?
Katelyn Kroetz 3 years ago3 years ago
It is absolutely ridiculous to let amazingly talented teacher candidates give up because they can’t pass a standardized test.
B. Powers 3 years ago3 years ago
Where can I find the official approval of “The trailer bill extends a temporary reprieve Gov. Gavin Newsom gave to teacher candidates in May. “
Dr. Bill Conrad 3 years ago3 years ago
All serious professions require exams to determine competency to enter the profession. The teaching "profession" moves backward when it rages against legitimate professional entrance exams. Half of the third graders in California can't read. Eliminating the RICA will only exacerbate this abomination. Colleges of education recruit the least qualified and train them poorly. The teacher entrance tests demonstrate this problem. The state is currently recruiting teacher candidates from the bus lots, cafeterias, and janitor closets as … Read More
All serious professions require exams to determine competency to enter the profession.
The teaching “profession” moves backward when it rages against legitimate professional entrance exams.
Half of the third graders in California can’t read. Eliminating the RICA will only exacerbate this abomination.
Colleges of education recruit the least qualified and train them poorly. The teacher entrance tests demonstrate this problem. The state is currently recruiting teacher candidates from the bus lots, cafeterias, and janitor closets as reported by EdSource. It is no surprise that 40% of teacher can’t pass qualifying exams. They should do something else. Being nice is not a substitute for competency.
The medical profession does not recruit doctors from cafeteria staff. Having a good bedside manner is not good enough to become a doctor. They must pass rigorous multi-day assessments as they are a real profession.
Teaching is not a real profession yet. Maybe some day.
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Jason M 3 years ago3 years ago
Tell that to all the college dropout programmers in the bay. Tests are not the end all be all.
Rosemary Casandra Lucero 3 years ago3 years ago
Well said! However, teachers do not make as much as doctors, nor do they diagnosis or perform life saving procedures.
Dr. Bill Conrad 3 years ago3 years ago
Good point Rosemary.
I contend that highly qualified teachers should make as least as much as doctors.
As Christa McAuliffe said, “Teachers Touch the Future.”
Had we truly invested in our teachers beginning years ago, our democracy would not be i such great trouble as it is today. Our future would have been brighter! And believe me our lives do depend on quality teachers!
Administrators? Not so much.
Michael 3 years ago3 years ago
I’m all for signing a petition for CA to eliminate the CSET! This is ridiculous…
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Dr. Bill Conrad 3 years ago3 years ago
Tests are but one important indicator of whether or not candidates are qualified to become teachers. There should be no free lunch when it comes to the certification of teachers. It is just a logical fallacy to suggest that because prospective teachers fail a competency exam that the tests are flawed. It may in fact be that the teacher candidates are flawed. Students and families deserve the most qualified teachers. Tests are but one way … Read More
Tests are but one important indicator of whether or not candidates are qualified to become teachers. There should be no free lunch when it comes to the certification of teachers.
It is just a logical fallacy to suggest that because prospective teachers fail a competency exam that the tests are flawed. It may in fact be that the teacher candidates are flawed. Students and families deserve the most qualified teachers. Tests are but one way to determine competency. All professions use competency tests as a gateway to entrance into the profession. Teaching should be no different.
Adults should quit raging against the thermometers and address the root cause problem of a failed college of education system as well as teacher recruitment efforts.
Jake 3 years ago3 years ago
Is there any proven evidence that has pointed a correlation between teachers passing tests and their efficacy? Because if so, California should see some of the highest educational scores in the country given that CA has some of the stringent testing requirements. This is not the case. Personally, I believe it is deeply flawed. What about the ones that pass the test but are awful in-person teachers? What about incredible in-person teachers who can’t pass … Read More
Is there any proven evidence that has pointed a correlation between teachers passing tests and their efficacy? Because if so, California should see some of the highest educational scores in the country given that CA has some of the stringent testing requirements. This is not the case.
Personally, I believe it is deeply flawed. What about the ones that pass the test but are awful in-person teachers? What about incredible in-person teachers who can’t pass a test? I believe the “entrance exam” is fully satisfied by 2 years for an AA, 3-4 years for a BS/A, and 1-2 years for a credential.
Katelyn Kroetz 3 years ago3 years ago
I have two degrees. Over 2000 hours of classroom volunteer experience and 700 hours of solo teaching hours. But please do go on about how I am a flawed teacher candidate because I have never done well with standardized tests. I truly hope that you are not a teacher. If you are a teacher, you should know that a test does not prove if a student is competent or not.
Justin 3 years ago3 years ago
Would anyone be interested in starting a change.org petition for CA to eliminate the CSET? Also I do not know how to get this on the ballot but I would definitely support and spread awareness about this. I also sent an email to Newsom’s office about him signing an executive order. Tell everyone you know to email his office weekly and ask him to sign an executive order!
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Raphael Lamas 3 years ago3 years ago
I will send the Governor an email. Also, you can call the governor’s office and leave a message. There are organizations that help with ballot initiatives. I am looking for one that will help us writing a propositions and put it on the ballot.
rosemary 3 years ago3 years ago
yes! I would!
Michelle 3 years ago3 years ago
This really makes me upset! This is a serious dilemma for many teacher candidates. It’s all about the money with these exams. This needs to be addressed now and I would be on board to put it on the ballot.
Lynne 3 years ago3 years ago
Diana, do you think it would help if we CA teachers-- short of writing a ballot initiative, since I don't know any teachers right now (including myself) who have that kind of time, started a Change.org petition and sent it to Governor Newsom imploring him to take executive action on these proposed bills? Or perhaps we could initiate a campaign to bombard his Twitter account with tweets from teachers that include all of these comments … Read More
Diana, do you think it would help if we CA teachers– short of writing a ballot initiative, since I don’t know any teachers right now (including myself) who have that kind of time, started a Change.org petition and sent it to Governor Newsom imploring him to take executive action on these proposed bills? Or perhaps we could initiate a campaign to bombard his Twitter account with tweets from teachers that include all of these comments made here (I propose HASHTAG Teachers Not Tests)? I say we teachers should do what we do best: educate the Governor on the situation, encourage him to support us and inspire him to take action.
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Raphael Lamas 3 years ago3 years ago
Lynne, I support your idea. We can find a group that will help us writing a proposition. There are a lots of organizations that want change. I will do more research and investigate which organization can help in writing a proposition.
Bo Loney 3 years ago3 years ago
Literally, I only have a high school diploma awarded at 26 years of age and can see all the mistakes.
Modesto 3 years ago3 years ago
This is very unfortunate. There are very skilled and passionate people who love to teach and can come alongside students and support them in ways that would provide them a great educational experience. These tests create barriers for many and can be intimidating for those with test anxiety. If only legislators and everyone that was involved with educational policymaking had to pass these same test to keep their position. They would probably rethink … Read More
This is very unfortunate. There are very skilled and passionate people who love to teach and can come alongside students and support them in ways that would provide them a great educational experience. These tests create barriers for many and can be intimidating for those with test anxiety. If only legislators and everyone that was involved with educational policymaking had to pass these same test to keep their position. They would probably rethink their career path.
By no means am I saying it’s not doable, but the reality is taking tests is not for everyone. If anything my very own experiences have taught me, mastering content and material can be assessed by more than simply taking a costly test.
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Claire 2 years ago2 years ago
This is me 110%. It is a real thing. This is beyond stressful and having to take these tests in a world that we live in now is just a lot more unnecessary stress. Why can’t my grades and hard work show how hard I have worked towards my life long goal of being a teacher?
Jennifer 3 years ago3 years ago
I think the CTC is racking up money from these test. They make it expensive and difficult to pass these test. The test are biased against people who did not get the same level of education.
Raphael 3 years ago3 years ago
The CBEST, the RICA, the CSET and the California Teaching Performance Assessment do not measure how well a teacher can teach the students. Those exams only prevent people from gaining and maintaining employment. Often, I hear that there is a shortage of teachers. Based on my experiencing working in the public school system, there is no shortage of teachers. However, there is a shortage of good teachers. A lot of teachers go into the teaching … Read More
The CBEST, the RICA, the CSET and the California Teaching Performance Assessment do not measure how well a teacher can teach the students. Those exams only prevent people from gaining and maintaining employment. Often, I hear that there is a shortage of teachers. Based on my experiencing working in the public school system, there is no shortage of teachers. However, there is a shortage of good teachers. A lot of teachers go into the teaching profession, and many of those teachers hate teaching.
Raphael 3 years ago3 years ago
Since politicians and opposition from some educators prevent reforming the education system in California, it is time to write a proposition and put it on the ballot for voters to decide the fate of those four exams that teachers need to pass.
Does anyone or organization wants to write a ballot initiative? I willing to help by collecting signatures.
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Sofia Anaya 3 years ago3 years ago
I am not sure how to write or organize a ballot but I would be up for signing write away.