About the Program
The California Commission for Teacher Credentialing requires that all teachers in California schools be prepared to teach English Language Learners. Candidates who begin a 2042 Credential Program will be certified with English Language Learner authorization by the end of the credential program (multiple-subject, single-subject, mild/moderate, and moderate/severe).
Candidates credentialed out of state (but within the USA) and those who hold a special education credential, find the CLAD Certificate ideal preparation for teaching English Language Learners. Those who hold a Ryan Credential and have been admitted to a credential program prior to July 1, 2002, may also earn the CLAD Certificate. However, candidates admitted to either a Ryan plus a 1059 English Learner Authorization Credential program (which began July 1, 2002) or to a 2042 Credential Program already have an English Language Learner Authorization and are not eligible for a CLAD Certificate. For information about CLAD Certificate eligibility, please contact a credential analyst.
The CTEL Certificate program is designed to meet the needs of second language children in California by equipping teachers with the tools to understand the process of language and academic development, and the sensitivity and specific skills necessary to facilitate learning in a multicultural classroom. Teachers who complete the 12 specific units of CTC-approved courses at APU, covering the 10 standards of knowledge, skills, and abilities, are not required to take the state CTEL examination for the CLAD Certificate. Candidates can either take all CTEL courses at APU or utilize a combination of APU CTEL courses and passing CTEL examination scores to earn the CLAD certificate. Those interested in completing their Bilingual Cross-Cultural Language and Academic Development (BCLAD) Certificate for a specific language should contact the program coordinator for more information.
In the past, candidates had to earn authorization by either completing all coursework, or passing all of the CTEL examination. A new law enables APU to offer candidates authorization when they have successfully completed a combination of coursework and portions of the CTEL examination. The combination of CTEL coursework and passage of CTEL subtests must address all required areas for the CLAD credential.
NOTE: The CLAD Certificate, which prepares credentialed teachers to work with second-language learners, continues to be useful for Ryan Credential candidates (admitted prior to July 1, 2002), special education teachers, and out-of-state credentialed teachers. This certificate provides teachers with greater depth of knowledge, strategies, and capabilities in serving English Language Learners. All 2042 Multiple- and Single-Subject Teacher Candidates and Mild/Moderate and Moderate/Severe Candidates will receive authorization to teach English-language learners as part of their Preliminary Credentials and will not need to earn the CLAD Certificate.
