- Kings County Office of Education
- GROW Intern and Pre-Service Programs
Curriculum Services
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Kings County Office of Education's GROW Intern Program is an accredited teacher preparation program for individuals seeking a Multiple Subject or Education Specialist (MMSN or ESN) teaching credential. This program offers an alternative pathway to earning a California teaching credential while gaining relevant, practical, and first-hand experience as the primary educator in the classroom. The GROW Intern Program is a 2 year program where candidates teach in their own classroom, while earning units, a teacher's salary, and benefits; and attend classes two times a week in a hybrid model of instruction: 1 evening of in-person learning and 1 evening of synchronous, online learning. Intern candidates receive weekly mentorship from site mentors and fieldwork supervisors, feedback from course instructors, and support from cohort peers. The GROW Intern Program provides structured support for the RICA exam and the CalTPAs through the courses and academies. New cohorts begin in August of every year.
Prior to becoming an intern, all candidates must complete a minimum of 120 hours of foundational or pre-service coursework. The GROW Pre-Service Program offers rigorous preparation in general pedagogy including classroom management, reading and language arts, subject specific pedagogy, human development, and specific content regarding the teaching of English Language Learners and students with additional support needs. Pre-service candidates attend synchronous, online classes three times a week. The GROW Pre-Service Program offers Spring sessions that begin in January and Summer sessions that begin in May.
Pre-Service Program Requirements
- Hold a Bachelor's Degree
- Meet the Basic Skills Requirement through coursework, exam, or a combination of coursework and exam. CL-667
- Have a valid Certificate of Clearance or equivalent on file with CTC (sub permit, PIP, STSP, etc)
- Attend an informational meeting to learn about the program
- Meet with the Program Coordinator to determine eligibility
Intern Eligibility Requirements
All of the requirements listed above plus:
- Successfully complete pre-service coursework from an accredited program
- Meet the Subject Matter Competency requirement through exams, coursework, a combination of exams and coursework, or a qualifying academic degree major-Subject Matter Requirements
- Meet the U.S. Constitution requirement (verified through transcripts)
- Provide receipt of an offer of employment as the "Teacher of Record" from a participating district. (Employment must be at least .5 Full-Time Equivalent in the established credential area.)
- Attend an advisement meeting with the Program Coordinator to determine eligibility
Contact Us
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Phone:
559-589-7037Fax:
559-589-7018Email:
info.grow@kingscoe.orgAddress:
GROW Intern Program
876 East D Street
Lemoore, CA 93245
Useful Links
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Certificate of Clearance
The COC is a document issued by the Commission to an individual who has completed the Commission's fingerprint character and identification process, whose moral and professional fitness has been shown to meet the standards as established by law. To obtain a Certifcate of Clearance, click here
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Requesting Transcripts from Colleges and Universities
Official transcripts are required from every college and university attended to apply for the pre-service or intern programs. Official transcripts may be hard copies or electronic copies. Please refer to this document to learn more.
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Basic Skills Requirement
The California Education Code and Title 5 Regulations specify, in most cases, that applicants for a credential, certificate, or permit to serve in the public schools of California must verify basic skills proficiency before the credential, certificate, or permit will be issued. For Preliminary Teaching Credential candidates, the basic skills requirement must be met prior to serving as an intern. However, institutions may require the basic skills requirement prior to program enrollment. Contact the college or university education department for more information. The basic skills requirement may also be required as a condition of employment. Applicants should contact the school district where they are considering employment for more information. For more information, click here.
Options to meet the BSR:
- Pass the CBEST
- Pass the CSET: Multiple Subjects Plus Writing Skills Examination
- Pass the CSU Early Assessment Program or the CSU Placement Examinations
- Achieve Qualifying Score on the SAT or ACT
- College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations
- Pass a Basic Skills Examination from Another State
- Meet the BSR by coursework
- Meet the BSR by coursework and exam
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Subject Matter Competency
California Education Code requires that all candidates for a teaching credential must demonstrate they are proficient in the subject matter area of their intended credential. Recent action by the Governor and the Legislature on AB 130 (Chapter 44, Statutes of 2021) has expanded the ways in which candidates may demonstrate subject matter proficiency. For more information, click here.
Subject matter proficiency may be demonstrated through one of the following options:
1. Completion of a subject matter program approved by the commission.
2. Passage of a subject matter examination (the California Subject Examination for Teachers or CSET).
3. Successful completion of coursework at one or more regionally accredited institutions of higher education that addresses each of the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the commission in the content area of the credential pursuant to Section 44282, as verified by a Commission-approved program of professional preparation.
4. Successful completion of a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with the following, as applicable:
- For single subject credentials, a major in one of the subject areas in which the commission credentials candidates.
- For multiple subject credentials, a liberal studies major or other degree that includes coursework in the content areas pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 44282.
- For education specialist credentials, either a major in one of the subject areas in which the commission credentials candidates or a liberal studies or other major that includes coursework in the content areas pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 44282.
5. Through a combination of the methods described in clauses (1), (2), and (3) in whole or in part, has met or exceeded each of the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the commission in the content area of the credential pursuant to Section 44282 for multiple and single subject credentials, or pursuant to Section 44265 for education specialist credentials.
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U.S. Constitution Requirement
California Education Code Section 44335 requires all candidates for a Multiple Subject, Single Subject, Education Specialist, or Designated Subjects Credential to demonstrate knowledge of the United States Constitution by completing a college-level course, or a college level examination in the subject. This requirement must be completed before the credential can be granted. To learn more about this requirement, click here.
