What's New

• Effective July 1, 2008 SMP will no longer offer free retakes or allow participants to make-up missed CSET and RICA classes.
• Online Classroom Management and Online Differentiated Instruction courses have been approved for two (2) LAUSD salary points (Effective October 2007).
• CSET Classes for the November 1, 2008 CSET have been posted. Please check the Course Schedule for availability of Multiple Subject and Single Subjects preparation courses. If you have any further questions, please call 323-932-4660 and ask to speak with an advisor.
• New Teacher courses for the 15-hour Provisional Internship Permit requirement are posted under Professional Development Courses: 
  • Online Classroom Management and Online Differentiated Instruction courses will fulfill this requirement.
  • Educational Research & Dissemination (ER&D) - Foundations of Effective Teaching - The completion of any five of the three-hour modules will fulfill this requirement.

Click on the links below to locate information:

Subject Matter Preparation Program Courses

Special Education update

Contact information
Course fees and eligibility for fee subsidy

Which examinations do you take?
2008-2009 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

      Online Classroom Management

      Online Differentiated Instruction

Other helpful links:

CSET home page 

L. A. County Office of Education CSET Preparation

The Subject Matter Preparation 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 exam session.   

Classes are from three to six weeks long, held on Saturdays, 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 filled in on your computer.   To enroll in a course, simply print out the application and mail it 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 about the CSET examination 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 or (323) 932-4660 and ask to speak to 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 an employment offer letter. 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 2008-2009

Full-time, contracted LAUSD teachers who pay in these classes are eligible for a passing incentive equivalent to one full exam fee when they pass all of the required exams for the subject area of their assignment. The effective period of the reimbursements is July 2008 through June 2009.   

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Refund Policy

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

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

Retake Policy

Effective July 1, 2008 SMP will NO longer:

• Offer free retakes of CSET and RICA preparation courses
• Allow participants to make-up missed CSET and RICA 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 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

7-12 teachers:   Single Subject CSET of current subject teaching assignment

Special Education teachers:   K-8, Multiple Subjects; 7-12 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 or (323) 932-4660.  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.

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The following are the beginning dates for Saturday classes:

Classes are held on Saturdays with limited offerings on other days.  Please check dates below for each course offering. 

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MULTIPLE SUBJECTS (MS) COURSES

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SINGLE SUBJECTS (SS) COURSES

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSES

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