What is the CBEST

C alifornia Education Code (Section 44252) requires that teachers, administrators, and other school practitioners demonstrate adequate proficiency, in English, of three basic skills: reading, math- ematics, and writing. Administered by National Evaluation Systems, Inc. (NES®), the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST®) was created to assess and verify these skills. The CBEST is not a meas- urement of teaching abilities or skills, but is rather a tool for measuring proficiency in the more basic, necessary skills as indicated above—skills employed by all school practitioners at the elementary, secondary, and adult edu- cation levels. By law, the CBEST provides separate scores in each of these three areas, and acceptable scores must be achieved in each area to meet the requirements of this code relative to credentialing and employment in Cali- fornia—and Oregon. In July 1984, the CBEST guideline was adopted by the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commis- sion (TSPC). Within six months, satisfactory CBEST scores were made mandatory for initial licensure in Ore- gon as a teacher, personnel specialist, or administrator. The CBEST test requirement is additional to other licensing requirements as set forth in the Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS, Chapter 342), and the Oregon Rules for CHAPTER What is the CBEST? CHAPTER SUMMARY This chapter provides the Who, What, When, Where, and How of the CBEST—those all-important details such as: who has to take it, what it’s used for and what it’s like, when and where it’s given, how it’s scored, and how to register. 1 1 Licensure of Teachers, Personnel Specialists, and Administrators (OAR, Chapter 584).  Who Must Take the CBEST? California In California, you are required to take the CBEST if any one of the following provisions applies to you: ■ You are applying for a teaching or service creden- tial for the first time. ■ You are applying for issuance or renewal of an Emergency Permit unless you already hold a valid California teaching credential for which a bache- lor’s degree is required. ■ If you have not taught during the 39 months prior to new employment, the CBEST may also be a condition of employment under CEC Sec- tion 44830. If you are uncertain whether the CBEST is required in the school district where you are considering employment, contact them for the necessary information. ■ You are applying for admission to either a teacher-preparation or service-credential pro- gram approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC), unless you already hold a valid California teaching credential for which a bachelor’s degree is required. Oregon Oregon requires passing CBEST scores prior to initial credentialing as a teacher, personnel specialist, or administrator, unless one of the following provisions is met: ■ You can document five years of full-time, licensed employment in public schools in another state. ■ You already hold one type of Oregon license and are a first-time applicant for a license of a differ- ent type. For example, an Oregon-licensed teacher who applies for an initial personnel spe- cialist license does not need CBEST scores. ■ You give evidence of passing scores on Praxis I, or the NTE Core Battery Test of Communication Skills and General Knowledge.  Who is Exempt from the CBEST? California In California, you are exempt from taking the CBEST for the following kinds of employment: ■ Instructor of adults in an apprenticeship program ■ Teacher in a children’s center or a development center ■ Teacher in any subject for which a bachelor’s degree is not required ■ Provider of health services, unless you are also required to teach ■ Student Teacher status, which requires a Certifi- cate of Clearance ■ Educational Specialist in Deaf and Hearing Impaired, or School Counseling Services, where the individual seeking employment is prelingually deaf. Service under this option is limited to state special schools or to classes for students who are deaf or hearing impaired. However, those who choose this option are required to complete a job-related assessment in lieu of the CBEST ■ Any position where a valid, non-emergency Cali- fornia teaching credential is held which requires a bachelor’s degree, and for which CBEST is not required for renewal ■ Any position that requires the renewal or reis- suance of a clear, or professional clear, credential NOTE: CBEST states that candidates wishing to obtain an Exchange Credential, a Sojourn Credential, – WHAT IS THE CBEST? – 2 or a credential based upon the completion of a teacher-preparation program outside of California may obtain an initial teaching credential without meeting the CBEST requirement. All such candidates must pass the CBEST, however, during the first year of validity of the initial credential. Oregon In Oregon, you may be granted a two-year (24-month) exemption from the CBEST requirement if you have not yet passed the CBEST, but are otherwise qualified for licensure. The CBEST waiver is only granted upon request of the employing school superintendent or school board in the event that (1) attempts were made to hire a properly licensed educator, but were unsuccessful, and that (2) the position is necessary for the school to operate normally. However, exemption can be granted without district request to candidates from states with reciprocral agreements in Oregon—such an exemp- tion is nonrenewable. For further licensure, passing scores on the CBEST must be presented by the candi- date.  What is the CBEST Like? What Sorts of Questions Does the CBEST Ask? The CBEST exam is comprised of three separate sec- tions: (1) Reading, which consists of 50 multiple- choice questions; (2) Mathematics, consisting of 50 multiple-choice questions; and (3) Writing, which consists of two essay subjects. Questions in the Reading section are derived from two important skill areas: critical thinking/argu- ment analysis, and research/comprehension. Drawn from a variety of fields, such as humanities, the social sciences, consumer affairs, or health, CBEST questions are based on passages that vary in degree of difficulty and complexity, and are designed to assess the test- taker’s ability to evaluate and comprehend the infor- mation presented. Some passages are longer (200 words or more); some are shorter (about 100 words). Some may be statements of one or two sentences, while others may even be tables or graphs. Every ques- tion is based on a particular passage, table, or graph. None require outside knowledge, and all of the ques- tions can be answered on the basis of the analysis and comprehension of the information provided. The Mathematics section is mostly comprised of questions—presented as word problems—that evalu- ate the test-taker’s ability to solve mathematical prob- lems. The questions asked are designed to assess three major skill areas: estimation, measurement, and sta- tistical principles; computation and problem solving; and numerical and graphic relationships. The Writing section is comprised of two essay subjects—both of which the test-taker must respond to—and are designed to assess your ability to write coherently, authoritatively, and persuasively. In one of the essays, you will be asked to analyze a situation or statement, while the other requires a written response relating to a personal experience. Your essays must be written in your own words, and you must write only on the topics presented. All points in both essays must address the assigned topic, and should be aimed at a specific audience. Essay responses must support any assertions with specific, relevant details and examples. The key to success here is to stay specific—do not digress! For more detailed information on what it takes to write a fantastic essay, see the section on Writing in the CBEST Mini-Course (Chapter 4). The criteria for scoring the CBEST essays is found at the end of Chap- ter 5; many tips for successfully writing a “4” (Pass) essay are also found there. How Long Does the CBEST Take? When you take the CBEST, you have a total of four hours in which to complete the three separate sections. – WHAT IS THE CBEST? – 3 You do not need to complete all three sections in one four-hour sitting. (The exception to this rule is the CBEST Writing section. The essays cannot be split up; both essays in the section must be completed at one sitting. They cannot be administered separately.) You may choose to concentrate on one or two sections at any given test administration, reregister, and then work solely on a third section at a later date. If you choose this latter option, take note that regardless of the num- ber of sections you are taking at any given sitting— even just one—the entire test fee is required, and you will be required to reregister each time. If you choose to do the whole test in one four- hour sitting, be aware that you don’t have to do the sec- tions in any particular order. The test is not timed according to individual sections, so you may want to get the hardest sections out of the way while you are fresh and still have your wits about you. You may want to do the essays first, because you can guess on the other sections if you run out of time. This may work to your advantage, since no points are deducted—there is no penalty—for guessing. Doing the practice tests in this book, or taking advantage of the practice questions on the CD-ROM—which has the advantage of ease of use, and automatic, immediate test scores—will help you decide what is the best course of action for you. What Should I Bring to the Test Site? Because of test security, few materials are allowed in the test-taking room. You will need to bring the fol- lowing materials: ■ Your admission ticket ■ Several sharpened #2 pencils with erasers ■ A current, government-issued photo ID with sig- nature Some other materials NOT permitted in the testing room (unless previously authorized or provided by NES®) include: ■ Scratch paper ■ Calculators ■ Dictionaries ■ Cellular phones or other communication devices ■ Alarm watches ■ Visitors Bringing any prohibited materials to a test adminis- tration may result in your score(s) being voided. If you have questions or require more detailed information on the day of the test, call CBEST at (916) 928-4001, from 7:30 A . M . to 3:30 P . M . PST (Pacific standard time). What is a Passing Score? To pass the CBEST, you must pass all three sections of the CBEST. Raw scores can range from 1–50, which are then converted to scaled scores ranging from 20–80. The passing scaled score on each section of the test is 41. You must achieve a minimum total score of 123 for the three sections to pass (the sum of the Reading, Writing, and Mathematics scaled scores). It is possible to pass the CBEST even if your scaled score in one or two sections is as low as 37, pro- viding your total scaled score is 123 or higher. (Take note that regardless of how high your total scaled score might be, you will not pass the CBEST if, in any sec- tion, you get a scaled score lower than 37.)  What Do My Scores Mean? You should receive your scores four to six weeks after the test date. For each section—Reading, Math, and Writing—your scores will announce whether or not you passed the section and will suggest areas within each section that you may need to study. The score – WHAT IS THE CBEST? – 4 report will also include the highest score you have obtained so far in that section. A passing score on any part of the test means that you will not have to take that part of the CBEST again! Retaking the Test What happens if you fail, or fail to finish, one or more sections of the CBEST? Don’t worry. You don’t need to pass all three sections at the same time, nor is there a limit to the number of times you can retake any or all sections of the CBEST to achieve a passing score. Once a section is passed, you need never take that section again. However, you may wish to repeat a section already passed to achieve a higher score, if that higher score can help you reach the total score required to pass the entire CBEST. Once the entire CBEST has been passed, you will never have to take it again. You only need to pass the entire CBEST once to qualify for the initial issuance or future renewal of any teaching credential.  How Do I Register for the CBEST? When is the Test Given? The CBEST is offered six times a year, once every two months, at various locations throughout California and Oregon. It is usually given on the first or second Saturday of the months of February, April, June, August, October, and December. How Do I Register? There are three periods of registration: Regular, Late, and Emergency; and three registration options: mail, phone, and Internet. For Regular Registration, you should register at least one month prior to the applicable test date. You can register either by mail or the Internet; phone reg- istration is not available for this option. If registering by mail, applications must be postmarked by the Reg- ular Registration deadline, or received by the Late Reg- istration deadline. If registering online, applications should be completed by 5:00 P . M . PST on the Regular Registration deadline. For Late Registration (up to approximately two weeks prior to the test date), a late fee applies, and reg- istration is granted on a space-available basis only. You may register by mail, phone, or Internet. If registering by mail, your completed materials must be received on or before the Late Registration deadline. If you regis- ter by phone, you must call before 5:00 P . M . PST on the Late Registration deadline. If registering online, your application must be finished by 5:00 P . M . PST on the Late Registration deadline. For Emergency Registration (up to four days prior to the test), an additional late fee is charged, and registration is granted on a space-available basis only. You can register either by phone or Internet; mail reg- istration is not available for this option. If you register by phone, you must call before 5:00 P . M . PST on the Emergency Registration deadline. If registering online, your application must be finished by 5:00 P . M . PST on the Emergency Registration deadline. Emergency Reg- istration is limited to ten test areas in California, and one in Oregon. Alternative testing arrangements can be made for either religious reasons or for special needs accommo- dations. All requests for alternative testing arrange- ments must be postmarked by the Regular Registration deadline for the test date applied for. Be advised that registration deadlines are strictly enforced—and there are NO exceptions! Whom Do I Contact with Questions? For any questions, or more detailed information regarding registration procedures, test dates, or loca- tions, contact: – WHAT IS THE CBEST? – 5 CBEST PROGRAM National Evaluation Systems, Inc. P.O. Box 340880 Sacramento, CA 95834-0880 916-928-4001 Telephones are open 9:00 A . M .–5:00 P . M .PST Monday–Friday, excluding holidays; Saturday test dates only: 7:30 A . M .–3:30 P . M .PST Facsimile: 916-928-6110 (note: Registration forms are not accepted by fax) Automated Information System is available 24 hours daily: 800-262-5080 CBEST website: www.cbest.nesinc.com Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD): 916-928-4191 Telephones are open from 9:00 A . M .–5:00 P . M . PST, Monday–Friday, excluding holidays; 7:30 A . M .–3:30 P . M . PST, Saturday test dates only. For Late and Emergency Registration services: 916-928-4001 During phone-in registration periods, telephones are open from 9:00 A . M .–5:00 P . M . PST, Monday–Friday, excluding holidays. For more detailed information about CBEST policies in general, contact: CALIFORNIA COMMISSION ON TEACHER CREDENTIALING (CCTC) Attention: CBEST Project Officer P.O. Box 944270 Sacramento, CA 94244-2700 916-445-7254; If outside the 916 area code, call toll free: 888-921-2682. Telephones are open 8:00 A . M .–5:00 P . M .PST, Monday–Friday, excluding holidays. (Automated Information System is available 24 hours daily.) CCTC website: www.ctc.ca.gov (Please include postal address in any e-mail messages.) OR Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission 465 Commercial Street NE Salem, OR 97310 503-378-3586 For more detailed information about CBEST test requirements in California and Oregon, or other questions: ■ For college or university program admission in California, you can contact the department or school of education that you are interested in. ■ For employment in California, you can contact the county school district’s credentialing depart- ment, or office of education. ■ For employment, or college or university Com- mission-approved program admission in Oregon, call the personnel office, or the Education Service District, of the school district you are interested in, the Dean of Teacher Education at the univer- sity or college you are interested in, or the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission.  Don’t Panic The CBEST probably will not be the hardest test you will be faced with in your life. For many, it will require some careful and thoughtful preparation. If you have completed four years of college, you will be able to pass the CBEST. Some of you may need extensive review first, and some of you may need private tutoring. If you are willing to put forth the effort, passing is possible! – WHAT IS THE CBEST? – 6 . Chapter 342), and the Oregon Rules for CHAPTER What is the CBEST? CHAPTER SUMMARY This chapter provides the Who, What, When, Where, and How of the CBEST those. exemp- tion is nonrenewable. For further licensure, passing scores on the CBEST must be presented by the candi- date.  What is the CBEST Like? What Sorts