TITLE

Individualized Intern Certificate

HISTORY

Established by CCTC to meet a need caused by federal legislation and implemented in March 2003.

MOTIVATION

This intern option (IIC) is designed for persons who are serving as teachers of record, but who are not enrolled in an existing district or university internship program. The IIC provides an option for those teachers who have demonstrated subject matter competence, but have portions of their pedagogical preparation and supervised fieldwork to complete.

GRADE LEVELS AND/OR SUBJECT AREA(S) COVERED

Multiple and Single Subject and Special Education.

WHO OPERATES

Institutions of Higher Education with approved teacher preparation programs.

REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER

To be eligible to apply for this certificate the teacher candidate must have completed the following:

• Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university or the equivalent;

• Passage of the California Basic Educational Skills Test;

• Attainment of Subject Matter Competence either by CCTC approved exam or approved program in the area of the teaching assignment;

• Character Identification;

• Demonstrated knowledge of the United States Constitution;

• Have an offer of employment from a public school district; and

• Be officially enrolled in an approved teacher preparation program.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

School districts, in cooperation with teacher candidates and teacher preparation programs, may apply for an Individualized Internship Certificate for persons who have met all of the college or university admission requirements for a teacher certification program. Teachers serving on the IIC certification option will receive the support, supervision, mentoring and assistance necessary to successfully complete credential requirements.

In addition to verification of successful completion of the above Requirements to Enter, the IIC application must include a signed Individualized Internship Certificate Agreement. This agreement verifies that the applicant is admitted to and formally enrolled in an accredited teacher preparation program. It also requires that within the first ninety days of program admission, an Individualized Professional Development Plan be developed and signed by the intern candidate, by the preparation program advisor assigned to the intern, and by the district’s human resources director or designee. Since the Certificate has a duration of two years, the elements of the plan must be completed within that period. The Plan should include the following:

• Courses that must be taken (this should include an analysis of courses previously taken and equivalent credit given as appropriate);

• Exams that must be completed to achieve certification (e.g., Reading Competency Instructional Assessment (RICA) for Multiple Subject Teachers);

• Field experiences to be completed. There is an expectation of supervision in each quarter or semester of enrollment in the program, and the Plan should include the name(s) of those who will provide that program level and site level support/supervision;

• Provision and schedule for completing the appropriate Teaching Performance Assessment; and

• Provision for intern candidate to move into an induction program.

NUMBER OF CREDIT HOURS TO COMPLETE

Individualized dependent on which requirements previously completed.

WHO EVALUATES

CCTC, as part of regular accreditation review process, as well as CCTC Certification audits.

LENGTH OF TIME

Individualized and Performance Assessment determined. This certificate is valid for two years, but participants are encouraged to complete the program in less time whenever possible.

OTHER

This program is designed for those who do not fit into other internship options, such as those who have completed coursework and program prerequisites but not fieldwork and are employed by a school district..