What's New

• Course information for the November 2010 CSET preparation will be posted the beginning of September. Please check this website for more information.
• To register for classes on the LAUSD Learning Zone, go to www.lausd.net.  Under employee resources (gold section) bar from the main web-site, select Learning Zone and click the link.  Enter your single sign-on password. Click the courses bar (gray).  Select class offerings; in the first box, selcet Subject Matter Preparation and click the search button.  The class listing will appear and you can enroll by selecting the course you are interested in, click on the underlined link and select the enroll now button at the top right.  For assistance, please contact this office Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m. at 213-241-4140.  There are multiple sessions and class times.  You can only enroll in one session per subtest.  Please do not enroll in one course offering and attend another. 
• CSET Multiple Subject and Single Subject Subtests preparation courses will be available for the November 6, 2010 CSET examination and will be posted in early September.  
• The Subject Matter Preparation Program staff will be unable to accept walk-in applications at any of our sites.  If you are not pre- enrolled in a course,  you will not be admitted.

The following are the beginning dates for Saturday classes:

Classes are held on Saturdays and selected weekday evenings.  Please check dates below for each course offering. 

Click on the links below to locate the following topics:

Subject Matter Preparation Program Courses

Special Education update

Contact information
Course fees and eligibility for fee subsidy

Which examinations do you take?
2010-2011 Exam administration dates

When you pass your CSET examinations

Course Schedule

>Multiple Subjects test preparation courses
>Single Subjects test preparation courses

>Professional Development Courses:

      Foundations of Effective Teaching

     

Other helpful links:

CSET home page 

L. A. County Office of Education CSET Preparation

The Subject Matter Preparation (SMP) courses are offered to LAUSD teachers, LAUSD teacher applicants, and other LAUSD employees.  The courses provide assistance with the content covered by the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET) in multiple subjects and a variety of single subjects.  Preparation classes are organized by subtests and target specific test dates.   We recommend that participants take a maximum of two subtests during the five-hour CSET exam session.   

Courses are typically two to six weeks in duration, held on Saturdays or selected weekday evenings, and precede CSET exam dates.  Course hours vary from three to six hours, depending on the subtest covered. 

By clicking on a particular course, you will generate a PDF application to be completed on your computer.   To enroll in a course, simply print the course application, sign and date both pages of the SMP policy statement, and mail them with your money order.  When we receive the completed application and course fee(s), you will be sent a confirmation of your enrollment.

Due to the differing types of special education authorizations, teachers with questions regarding special education and the corresponding required CSET examinations should call the NCLB unit at (213) 241-2062.

Courses are sponsored by the Subject Matter Preparation Program.  If you have questions after reviewing the information on this site, please contact the program offices at (213) 241-4140 and ask to speak with an advisor.

Our CSET preparation courses are open to any person interested in taking and passing the CSET. Please see course fees below for reduced fee eligibility.

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Eligibility for Reduced Fees

Reduced fee subsidies are available for any current LAUSD employee including prospective teacher candidates with a written employment offer. SMP must be able to verify employment.

Full Fee Payers

• Participants who are not employees of LAUSD must pay the full fee.

Exam Passing Incentives Continue for 2009-2010

The Subject Matter Preparation (SMP) Program provides a CSET passing incentive to LAUSD qualifying contracted teachers. This passing incentive is provided on a one-time basis to any fully contracted provisional LAUSD teachers (no preliminary or fully credentialed teachers) who:

1. Take the CSET in the subject they currently teach;
2. Provide a CSET score report indicating proof of passage of all required CSET subtests; and,
3. Have completed and paid for at least one CSET preparation course offered by SMP.

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Refund Policy

The Subject Matter Preparation (SMP) Program will consider refunds for CSET courses provided the following conditions have been met:

• Proof of payment can be verified; and
• All course materials have been returned in the same condition as they were distributed; and
• A refund request has been made no later that the day of the participant’s first course attendance; or,
• If you fail to attend any classes.

Retake Policy

Effective July 1, 2008 SMP will NO longer:

• Offer free retakes of CSET preparation courses
• Allow participants to make-up missed CSET classes.

Your understanding and support are greatly appreciated.

Rollover Policy

Effective September 2007, you will no longer be eligible to rollover funds from one course to the same course in another session.  However, you may rollover funds from one class to another class within the same session as long as you return all course materials in original condition and tell an advisor during the first class session.   This is only a possibility if the new course is the same cost as the original course you enrolled in. 

Otherwise, your money order will be returned to you.

Registration Policy

CSET Preparation course applications and payment are due no later than the Monday prior to the first class meeting. Applications and/or payment received after this date will not be honored if classes are filled to capacity.  Therefore, we strongly encourage you to register early.  Participants expecting to register as walk-ins on the first day of class or after are in serious risk of being turned away.  There are NO EXCEPTIONS to this policy!

K-8 teachers:   Multiple Subjects CSET

9 -12 teachers:   Single Subject CSET of current subject teaching assignment

Special Education teachers:   K-8, Multiple Subjects; 9-12 Single Subject math, science, or English (See Note below)

Note:  Special Education teachers in grades K-8 must take the CSET multiple subjects exam.  Secondary special education teachers should contact the No Child Left Behind Unit at (213) 241-2062.  You may also visit the NCLB Web site at www.teachinla.com/nclb.html for additional information.

For additional information about the examinations, please visit the CSET Web site at http://www.cset.nesinc.com.

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The good news is that once you pass the CSET in all required subtests in your subject area, you are deemed subject matter competent. However, under the No Child Left Behind mandates, you are NOT YET “highly qualified.” 

To become highly qualified, you must convert to “intern” status by satisfying the following (for LAUSD teachers): 

• Be eligible for continued employment, based upon your site administrator’s recommendation.

• Meet all intern program requirements, including U.S. Constitution, grade point, and any prerequisites, specified by individual programs.

• If applying to a University Intern program, request an “Intern Verification” form which verifies that you are employed as a contract teacher.  You may obtain this form from the Certificated Credentials and Contract Services Unit at Beaudry -- (213) 241-6520 -- or contact the Subject Matter Preparation Program at (213) 241-4140.  This form is not needed for the District Intern Program.

• Prove admission into an approved intern credentialing program.
  • If applying for a District internship, the District Intern Program will assist you in the conversion process.  Contact them at (213) 241-5581.
• For University programs, request a C-19 letter from the University.  The C-19 verifies application for an intern credential.

• Bring your C-19 letter to the Certificated Credentials and Contract Services Unit on the 15th floor of the District offices at 333 S. Beaudry Avenue.  Based upon your C-19, a Credential Analyst will process a change of credential to convert you to intern status.  You will then sign a new contract.

For approved intern programs in the greater Los Angeles area, click here. For listings of credentials offered through each approved intern program, click here.

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MULTIPLE SUBJECTS (MS) COURSES

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SINGLE SUBJECTS (SS) COURSES

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