About the Testing Program

California Education Code Sections 44253.3 and 44253.4 require the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) to issue certificates that authorize the holder to provide specialized instruction to English Learners (EL). These certificates are the Crosscultural, Language and Academic Development (CLAD®) Certificate and the Bilingual, Crosscultural, Language and Academic Development (BCLAD®) Certificate. Section 44253.5 requires the CTC to develop and administer examinations on which a teacher can demonstrate competence in the knowledge and skill areas necessary for effective teaching of EL. With expert advice from California educators and others, the CTC has developed the California Teacher of English Learners® (CTEL®) Examination for the purpose. The CTC has contracted with National Evaluation System (NES®) to administer the examination.

Transition from CLAD Test 1, 2, and 3. The CTEL Examination replaced the CLAD Tests 1, 2, and 3 with the last administration of the CLAD tests on June 24, 2006.

About the Test

The CTEL Examination is composed of three separate subtests. The subtests are criterion referenced. A criterion-referenced test is designed to measure an examinee’s knowledge and skills in relation to an established standard rather than in relation to the performance of other examinees. The purpose of this examination is to help identify candidates for certification who have demonstrated the level of knowledge and skills required to effectively teach EL.

Each CTEL Examination subtest is designed to measure a specific set of knowledge and skills. All of the knowledge and skills were defined in conjunction with committees of California educators. Test materials matched to the knowledge and skills were developed using, in part, textbooks, California K–12 Student Academic Content Standards and curriculum frameworks, and CTC program standards. The materials were developed through consultation with California teachers, teacher educators, and other content and assessment specialists.

Refer to the following table for a description of each of the CTEL Examination subtests. The specific knowledge and skills assessed on each subtest are available on the CTEL Web site by selecting "Study Guide."

Subtest	Subtest Description
CTEL 1: Language and Language Development	This subtest covers (1) language structure and use and (2) first- and second-language development and their relationship to academic achievement. This subtest consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and one essay.
CTEL 2: Assessment and Instruction	This subtest covers the assessment of EL, the foundations of English language and literacy development and content instruction, and approaches and methods for English language development and content instruction. This subtest consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and two essays.
CTEL 3: Culture and Inclusion	This subtest covers culture and cultural diversity and their relationship to academic achievement and culturally inclusive instruction. This subtest does not focus on any specific cultural group and consists of 40 multiple-choice questions and one essay.

All subtests may include some questions that will not count toward an examinee's score. These questions are placed on the test in order to collect information about how they will perform under actual testing conditions.


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