Frequently Asked Questions

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Cost

How much will the EnCorps program cost?
EnCorps provides program participants ("Pioneers") the following free of charge for all Pioneers: CSET test prep materials, coaching and support services including Boot Camp, Winter Institute and online web seminars (webinars). Selected Full Time Pioneers can receive on-line mentoring and up to $7700 in tuition reimbursements after the first year of teaching. You are responsible for test registration fees and fees associated with ordering transcripts. You are also responsible for all credentialing tuition above $7700, as well as all materials and textbooks required by your University Intern program.
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Tests

 

What are the CBEST and CSET exams?
The CBEST, The California Basic Educational Skills test, examines basic reading, mathematics, and writing skills found to be important for the job of an educator. The exam contains both multiple-choice and essay questions.

The CSET, The California Subject Examinations for Teachers, examines subject-matter competency in a given area. EnCorps program participants are required to take and pass either the Science CSET or the Mathematics CSET.

 

When should I take the CBEST?
Applicants need to have taken the CBEST within three months of being accepted to the EnCorps Teachers Program. Please visit the CBEST website for test dates.

 

When should I take the CSET?
Applicants are encouraged to become familiar with the CSET tests as soon as possible. You must take and pass the tests before applying to a California teacher credentailing program. Please visit the CSET website for test dates.

 

Can EnCorps send me CSET study materials?
EnCorps provides study materials once you have gone through an interview day with EnCorps and received and signed a Pioneer offer letter.

 

I want to teach Science. Which CSET exam should I take?
If you would like to teach Science, you have two options. Option one will increase the number of science teaching opportunities for which you would be eligible.

Option One: The exam is comprised of multiple subtests, which can be taken all in one seating or individually. All science teachers need to pass subtests I and II, which cover general science, as well as one of the subtest III exams. Choose the subtest III concentration you intend to teach: biology/life science, chemistry, earth and planetary science, or physics. You may take more than one subtest III if you would like to teach more than one science subject. By passing subtests I, II, and III, you are credentialed to teach General Science, Integrated Science and the concentration covered by subtest III.

 

Option Two: You may take and pass subtests III and IV in the concentration you intend to teach: biology/life science, chemistry, earth and planetary science, or physics. By passing subtests III and IV, you are only credentialed to teach in the concentration you tested in, NOT General or Integrated Science. You will receive a Specialized Science Credential. Please keep this in mind, as this type of credential limits the number of science teaching openings you will be eligible for.

Please visit the official CSET site for more information.
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Teaching

 

Is this a volunteer position?
No. EnCorps Educators ultimately serve as employees of a school district and receive a salary and benefits.

 

Do Intern Teachers get paid?
Yes. Selected and placed EnCorps intern teachers will become the full time teachers of record in their classrooms. Intern teachers receive a salary and benefits from the school district that employs them. Salary varies by school district. All Intern teachers are paid at the rate for an inexperienced teacher, regardless of other work experience or graduate education in other fields.

 

What is it like to be a first year teacher?
We believe that Ellen Moir of the New Teacher Center at Santa Cruz answered that best in her article, "The Phases of First Year Teaching. " Here is an excerpt: "First-year teaching is a difficult challenge...While not every new teacher goes through this exact sequence...teachers move through several phases from anticipation, to survival, to disillusionment, to rejuvenation, to reflection; then back to anticipation."

 

I have a graduate degree in math or science. Do I need to take the CSET to prove my competency in my subject matter?
Yes. In some rare instances, a candidate may apply for and receive a subject-matter waiver from the University where he or she is enrolled for credentialing courses. The requirements for a waiver are extremely specific and non-negotiable. We recommend that all candidates register for and prepare to take the CSET even if they choose to pursue a waiver so as not to jeopardize their eligibility for the EnCorps program.

 

Is the Intern Credential the only pathway into teaching offered by EnCorps?
No. EnCorps utilizes the Intern Credential pathway because it allows someone to enter the classroom as a teacher immediately and provides hands-on learning. For applicants who would like to pursue credentialing coursework before entering the classroom as a teacher, we also offer access to a single-subject teacher preparation program based on the IBM Transition to Teaching program.

 

I want to become an EnCorps Educator, but cannot start teaching in 2010. What are my options?
2010 EnCorps Educators participate in Boot Camp and Pre-Service in Summer 2010 in preparation for beginning a teaching assignment in September 2010. EnCorps does not support alternative start dates for teaching assignments, since school districts place the vast majority of their teachers at the start of the school year.  Also see "May I defer my acceptance" under "Placement" below.

 

What kind of support will I receive as a new teacher?
As a new teacher, you can expect to be paired with a mentor teacher from the school district you work for. We recommend that you do not wait for a mentor to be assigned, but that you identify a compatible mentor yourself. In most instances, your mentor teacher will work at your school site. Depending on the school, your department chairs, administrators, instructional coaches and the principal will play a valuable roll in helping you acclimate to the school environment. You will also participate in the professional development activities provided by your school district. The University Intern program will provide a coach who may visit your classroom and provide feedback. Additionally, EnCorps provides on-line mentoring with a master teacher to all first-year EnCorps teachers.

 

Can I teach part-time?
Part-time math and science teaching positions are offered by very few districts and are almost never available to new math and science teachers.  Instead, EnCorps recommends that you consider becoming a substitute teacher.

 

Do I need to commit to a specific number of years of teaching?
While there is no requirement that an EnCorps Teacher stays past Year 1, EnCorps only seeks and accepts candidates with a commitment to becoming an effective teacher. Learning to teach is both an art and a science. It can take five years to gain your stride as a new teacher. As you consider becoming an EnCorps Teacher, you are considering moving into a rewarding, exciting ... and challenging ... career.

 

How long does it take to earn a credential?
Once you are accepted into an Intern Program, your District or University program will apply for an Intern Credential on your behalf. The Intern Credential is valid for two years and allows you to teach as an Intern teacher. In most cases, you will earn your Preliminary Credential once you have completed two years of credentialing coursework and have taught as an Intern teacher. The Preliminary Credential is valid for five years. Once you have earned your Preliminary Credential, you will begin working towards a Clear Credential by enrolling in BTSA, Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment. A Clear Credential provides more permanent status as a teacher in California.

 

What if I want to teach a subject other than Math or Science?
EnCorps was developed to address the overwhelming shortages of qualified Math and Science teachers at the middle and high school level. Currently, we do not provide a pathway to teaching at the elementary or adult school level. We do not assist in matching teachers in other subject areas at the middle or high school level.

 

Do I need to be a math major to teach math?
No. You need only demonstrate math proficiency by taking the CSET Math exam. The exam is comprised of three subtests, which can be taken all in one seating or individually. In order to teach Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry or Integrated Mathematics, you need to pass subtests I and II. This qualifies you for a Foundational-Math Credential. In order to teach Calculus, you need to pass subtest III to obtain a Mathematics Credential. For more information, please visit the Math CSET site.
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Boot Camp and Pre-service

 

What is Boot Camp?

Boot Camp is a three day program that all EnCorps Educators attend. They receive extensive training to better prepare each Educator to teach in the classroom.  The 2010 Boot Camp will be held in Los Angeles from June 18 - 20, 2010.

 

What is Pre-Service?
Pre-service is 120 hours of critical preparation for classroom teaching. Classes are conducted by a University or District Intern credentialing course provider and are focused on intensive instruction and field experience in teaching methodology. Topics covered include:

• classroom management and planning
• developmentally appropriate teaching practices
• general and subject or specialty specific pedagogy
• teaching English learners
• communication skills including reading

Can I continue to work at my current job during Boot Camp and Pre-Service?
We do not recommend it. The summer preceding your ffirst day of teaching is a busy one: Boot Camp is a 3-day commitment, Pre-Service is a 6-week commitment. Both programs are extremely rigorous, requiring ALL-DAY ATTENDANCE and some preparation after-hours for the next day’s session. 

 

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Placement

 

Where in California are EnCorps Educators placed?
While we support teacher candidates throughout the state of California, EnCorps has three focus sites in 2010, the San Francisco Bay Area, the Silicon Valley and the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area. EnCorps Educators are placed in high-need schools in low-income communities. We work with traditional public and charter schools that are dedicated to improving education for their students and supporting the development of new teachers.

 

Will I be able to choose my school?
Once accepted into the EnCorps program, you will be referred for interviews with one or more of our partner and affiliate schools. Referrals are based upon your geographic location, the subject you would like to teach and the needs of the schools EnCorps works with. The ultimate decision to hire a teacher lies with the school principal and school district.

 

May I defer my acceptance?
EnCorps encourages you to get experience in the classroom and consider tutoring, volunteering or substitute teaching with us before becoming a full time teacher. At the same time, once you accept an offer and commit to teaching in a given year, EnCorps counsels against deferral and reviews requests on a case by case basis. Should you defer your acceptance to the EnCorps program, you will need to contact EnCorps in February of 2010 to secure a place in the 2011 EnCorps program.
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Address

 

Where do I send my transcripts?
Please send all transcripts to: EnCorps
Attn: Undergraduate/Graduate Transcripts
323 Geary Street, Suite 418
San Francisco, CA 94102