Physical education teaching

Question: I graduated from UCLA and have an interest in sports. I live near campus so I can go watch practices and games. I may want to teach physical education (PE) but before I commit to more education, are there any steps I can take to explore the job of a PE teacher?
— Jerry

Response: With your bachelor's degree, you could work as a substitute physical education (PE) teacher to confirm your interest. But you would first need to pass the California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST). It's required to teach in this state.

The CBEST assesses and verifies proficiency in mathematics, reading and writing in English. The next CBEST test date is scheduled for May 21, 2004 and the cost of the CBEST is $41. For further information, contact:

CBEST Program

P.O. Box 340880

Sacramento, CA 95834-0880

(916) 928-4000.

www.cbest/nesinc.com

CBEST Preparation
To prepare for the CBEST, you can enroll in a CBEST review workshop. It's offered by most California State University campuses as well as UCLA Extension. The general cost at a Cal State campus is $235. Classes are usually held on the three Saturdays prior to the test date.

California State University, Los Angeles

Division of Extended Education

5151 State University Drive

Los Angeles, California 90032-4226

(323) 343-3000

www.calstatela.edu

California State University Northridge

Division of Extended Education

College of Extended Learning

18111 Nordhoff Street

Northridge, CA 91330-8343

(818) 677-4618

www.csun.edu

UCLA Extension offers a CBEST review workshop on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at a cost of $355.

UCLA Extension

10995 Le Conte Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90024

(310) 206-3340

www.uclaextension.edu

Below is information on a few local districts that you could contact regarding substitute positions once you have taken the CBEST. You can also check edjoin.org.

Los Angeles Unified School District, LAUSD

Human Resources Division

Recruitment Office

333 S. Beaudry, 15th Floor

Los Angeles, CA 90017

(213) 241-5300

www.teachinla.com

The pay of LAUSD substitute PE teachers for short-term assignments is $156 per day and for long-term assignments (longer than 21 days) is $210 per day.

Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District, SMMUSD

1651 16th Street

Santa Monica, CA 90404

(310) 450-8338

www.smmusd.org

The pay of SMMUSD substitute PE teachers for short-term assignments is $120 per day and for long-term assignments (longer than 21 days) is $184 per day.

Torrance Unified School District, TUSD

2335 Plaza Del Amo

Torrance, CA 90501

(310) 972-6500

www.tusd.k12.ca.us

The pay of TUSD substitute PE teachers for short-term assignments is $105 per day and for long-term assignments (longer than 21 days) is $140 per day.

Credential Requirements
If you want to become a full time PE teacher, you will need to complete courses for a Single Subject Teaching Credential with a specialty in physical education.

The requirements for a preliminary teaching credential include completion of a bachelor's degree program, passing scores on the CBEST and the California Subjects Examination Teacher (CSET) which is for testing on subject matter competence, and completion of 30 or more unit post-baccalaureate credential program.

Once you have the preliminary credential, you will need to complete an additional 9 to 15 units in health, special education, and computers to receive a clear credential.

California Commission on Teacher Credentialing

1900 Capitol Avenue

Sacramento, CA 95814

(888) 921-2682

www.ctc.ca.gov

This commission and sets forth the policies and procedures for the accreditation of educator preparation programs including single subject teaching credential programs.

Training Options and Costs
California State University, Northridge, Los Angeles, and Long Beach are the only campuses in the Los Angeles County area that offer single subject credential programs with an option to specialize in physical education. Programs can include an internship, which would allow you to work as a paid intern PE teacher while completing your credential coursework.

Typically, admission requirements include completion of a bachelor's degree, passing scores on the CBEST and CSET, and a minimum GPA of at least a 2.7. Additional requirements can include field experience which depending on the school can include substitute teaching. Tuition varies from campus to campus.

The following is an example of a single subject credential program with an option to specialize in physical education:

California State University, Northridge

18111 Nordhoff Street

Northridge, CA 91330

(818) 677-3002

Fax (818) 677-2582

www.csun.edu/education/sed/

Department of Secondary Education

(818) 677-2580

The College of Education offers a two-year, 41 unit single subject preliminary credential program with an option in physical education.

Program admission requirements include a bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 2.7, passing scores on the CBEST and CSET, and verification of completion of 45 hours of field experience, which can include substitute teaching.

Students have the option of working as a paid intern PE teacher while completing credential coursework. Participating school districts include LAUSD and/or SMMUSD.

While working as a paid student intern, one is required to complete at least six units of coursework per semester. Approximately 9 to 15 units of coursework must be completed to earn the clear credential. This coursework is determined by the school district.

Graduate tuition for a full-time semester (6 units or more) is approximately $1,300 and for a part-time semester (6 units or less) is approximately $850, not including book and miscellaneous expenses.

California State University, Los Angeles

5151 State University Drive

Los Angeles, CA 90032

(323) 343-3000

www.calstatela.edu

Charter College of Education

Curriculum and Instruction Division

(323) 343-4350

Fax (323) 343-5458

California State University, Long Beach

1250 Bellflower Blvd.

Long Beach, CA 90840

(562) 985-1609

www.csulb.edu

College of Education

(562) 985-7622

Salary Range
Current salaries for full-time beginning teachers in the districts mentioned above range from approximately $36,000 to $41,300.

 
Susan W. Miller, M.A., is a National Certified Career Counselor, a Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist and holds diplomate status on the American Board of Vocational Experts. She heads California Career Services, a private practice career counseling firm in Los Angeles.

E-mail career questions you'd like answered in this column to info@californiacareerservices.com or visit California Career Services at www.californiacareerservices.com.