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The College of Education's Educational Equity Program

Land Acknowledgment

We are mindful in acknowledging that the land that Sacramento State is located on, was and continues to be occupied by the indigenous people of this area, the Miwok, Maidu, and Nisenan.

Dr. Karina Figueroa-Ramírez | figueroaramirez@csus.edu
Dr. Harold Murai | murai@csus.edu
Eureka Hall 437 | Located in the Student Success Center
Office Hours: M-F 8:00 am-12:00 pm and 1:00 pm- 5:00 pm

To reach us, please email Karina Figueroa-Ramirez for an advising appointment or contact the Ed Equity Peer Mentors at EdEq@csus.edu

Request an advising appointment

Mission: Contribute to the region and state’s public schools in recruiting, retaining and graduating multilingual/multicultural exceptional teachers and educational leaders to be agents of change, committed to equity and inclusion in culturally and linguistically diverse schools and communities.

Vision: Our vision is to be the regional leader in preparing and developing excellent teachers and educators. In collaboration with LOCAL schools and communities, educators prepared at Sacramento State create and sustain equitable inclusive educational environments which are designed to optimize access and student success.

Racial/Social Justice Interruption Practice Statement

As part of our continuing commitment to Racial/Social Justice work, when we experience examples of bias, microaggressions, silencing, exclusions, racial narratives, racism, or Whiteness in our meetings, we will speak up. This means we all have a moral imperative to interrupt the meeting and draw the issue to one another’s attention. We will do this with kindness, with care, and in good faith. Further, as we engage interruptions we will take an intersectional approach, reflecting the fact that White supremacy and racism operate in tandem with interlocking systems of colonial oppression, heteropatriarchy, class, and ableism. This statement is a reminder that we commit to do this in the service of ending the system of racial oppression.

About Us

Meet Our Educational Equity Coordinator

Dr. Karina Figueroa-Ramirez

Welcome! The Educational Equity Program (EdEq) in the College of Education is dedicated to providing students with the knowledge, services and resources to achieve their academic and professional goals. Our efforts are closely aligned with Sacramento State’s Strategic Goals. We provide advising and support resources for student groups interested in careers in education. Among these are financial aid and work study candidates, Cal-grant recipients, students that are first in their family to attend college/university and multilingual/multicultural students.

Advising is available in Spanish.
Hacu 2020 headshot
Karina earned a single subject social science teaching credential with a Spanish bilingual authorization from the Bilingual Multicultural Education Department at Sac State. She taught for almost ten years and during this time completed her master’s degree in multicultural education. Karina shares she is grateful for the educators and agents of creative change who impacted her life tremendously. From her early life experiences, she became determined to make positive contributions to those around her-- for this reason, she earned her doctoral degree in Educational Leadership in 2024. It is something very personal, a lifelong lucha (struggle), that motivates her each day she is serving our students, one future educator at a time.

Meet our Faculty Advisors

Dr. Juan José Bueno Holle

Juan José Bueno Holle headshotI am currently an Assistant Professor in the College of Education, where I work mostly with pre-service teachers and bilingual teacher candidates. I hold an M.A. in Applied Linguistics from the UNAM in Mexico City and a PhD in Linguistics from the University of Chicago. I am especially interested in multilingualism, endangered languages and language justice, and have teaching experience at elementary, middle school, high school, and university levels.

Advising is available in Spanish.

Dr. Margarita Berta-Avila

Margarita Berta-Avila headshotDr. Berta-Avila has served as Professor in the College of Education for over 20 years. As critical pedagogue, she specializes in bilingual and anti-racism social justice education, K-12 teacher preparation, and ethnic studies, Currently serves as the California Faculty Association, President. She may be reached at bamargie@csus.edu

Advising is available in Spanish.

Peer Mentors

Mechue Yang

Jasmine Singh

Lyndin King

Yesenia Solis

Hector ChavezJocelyn HernandezKarina Chavez

Services

  • Academic advising for undergraduate majors in Child Development and all pre-admission criteria for all teaching credentialing programs
  • Peer mentoring, 1:1 and in small groups, both in-person and virtual
  • Career options in education, exploring a major and selecting a major
  • Evaluations for the Hmong and Spanish Bilingual Authorizations
  • Evaluations for Basic Skills Requirement (BSR)
  • Evaluations for Subject Matter Competency (SMC) in multiple subjects
  • Evaluations for Supplemental Authorizations and Introductory Subject Matter Authorizations
  • Referrals for candidates in need of further field work experiences
  • Assistance with scholarship applications
  • Peer Mentors available for CBEST, CSET preparation and tutoring
  • Assistance with the CSU Apply application
  • Assistance for DACA and Undocu-status financial aid application

Program Newsletters

Series of "Conversations with Black Leaders in K-12"

The purpose of this space is to provide a safe space for future and current Black teachers and educators to dialogue, reflect and plan for transformative action on their personal, educational and professional experiences. Many of us are first in our families to graduate with a higher ed degree, or the first to pursue a teaching career or the first to even consider a career in education. Ed Equity’s goal is to create a space for us to connect with an educator ecosystem in the region, to unpack conversations around topics relevant to us all and critically reflect on ways to increase our capacity and potential. Together we hope to build one another to continue to eradicate systems that are not serving our students and build effective solutions that will allow our students to thrive and reach their full potential.

Join us for the next discussions of our series "Conversations with Black Leaders"
Watch Now: Fall 2022 "Conversations with Black Leaders"

"Black Women Teaching/Leading in K-12," Thursday, October 27, 6-7 p.m. https://csus.zoom.us/j/83429239317​

Watch Now: "Black Men Teaching/Leading in K-12," Thursday, November 17, 6-7 p.m. https://csus.zoom.us/j/83429239317

Information Sessions

Keep up with the latest

Instagram

For more information and questions about our program, join an Information Session held each semester. You can also view our info session recorded video, contact the College of Education Student Success Center, or contact one of our Peer Mentors at edeq@csus.edu

Fall 2025 CRED info Bilingual

Financial Aid, Grants, Scholarships

For DACA and Undocu- students, complete the CA Dream Act application. DACA and Undocu- students are not eligible for federal aid, but ARE eligible for CA state aid. Students are eligible for the AB 540 CA Grant. Indicate you are a 5th year undergraduate student. If you have resided in CA for over 1 year and 1 day, you may indicate you are CA resident. FAFSA vs CA Dream Act apply to the correct financial aid in CA


Complete your FAFSA. Teacher credentialing candidates should indicate they are 5th year undergraduate students on their FAFSA. Consider applying for the TEACH grant.


Apply for College of Education Scholarships


Apply for Math and Science scholarships MSTI and Noyce.


Apply for CA Golden State Teacher Grant


Apply for other Educator and Teacher Grants

Teacher Preparation Financial Resources

Bilingual Authorization Program

Hmong Language Connecting to Your Roots

Join us for conversations with Hmong educators to learn more about professions in education Wednesday, October 23rd, 5-7 p.m. at the Multicultural Center, Sacramento State.





Successful Hmong Educator Flyer

"Ethnic identity is twin skin to linguistic identity--I am my language. Until I can take pride in my language, I cannot take pride in myself." (Anzaldúa, 1987)

Sac State's bilingual authorization program has been a consistent leader in preparing bilingual teachers across the state to work actively to reverse the inequitable educational and life outcomes for English learners in our region. We seek to address the historic marginalization of English learners in our public schools by preparing high quality bilingual educators and by working with our program completers to make structural and programmatic changes in local settings.

What is a Bilingual Authorization?

Being bilingual is such a privilege, "y un orgullo", or " zoo siab." This is a way to demonstrate that aside from being bilingual/biliterate, you have a deeper understanding of the social/cultural, political, economic, historic, environmental experiences of the target population in CA/United States. This will authorize you to teach your credentialed subject in bilingual or dual-immersion programs so you can teach in Spanish or Hmong and in those corresponding grade levels. Candidates can teach in a mainstream classroom or in a designated bilingual classroom. Most CA bilingual programs or dual-immersion programs are offered in TK-6th grade, sometimes middle school and rarely high school. If your school does not offer a program or course taught in both English and Spanish or English and Hmong, you/your school team can work to create one if there is a need. There is such a need for teachers who students can identify with, teachers who represent our student K-12 demographics.

"Thaum kuv nrog kuv tus me nyuam tham, lawv hais lus Askiv rau kuv xwb. Kuv cov me nyuam yeej hais lus Askiv nrog cov yau ntau dua. Kuv ntseeg tias peb cov lus hmoob ces yeej yuav ploj zuj zus mus. Muaj qee lub sij hawm kuj ua kuv nyuaj siab kawg tiam sis kuv yeej pab tsis tau li thiab. Kuv xav kom muaj kev pab los ntawm tej lub tsev kawm tawv." (Hmong parent, 2008, research study by Terry Yang).

"When I speak with my children, they often answer back in English. Most of the time, they use English with their siblings and friends. I think that our language will be lost when our children do not want to use it. Sometime, it makes me very sad but there is nothing I can do to help. I hope there is help outside in the community and the school." (Hmong parent, 2008, research study by Terry Yang).

"For me, it was automatic, I didn't even have to think about adding a Bilingual Authorization. If it is going to further prepare me to work with my students, I will do it." - (Sac State Teacher Candidate, 2023).

Who can earn a Bilingual Authorization?

If you can read/write in Spanish or Hmong, you can add it to your credential. If you feel your proficiency is not at the level you are most comfortable, there are strategies to improve. Our program is embedded in any of our teacher credentialing programs. If you earn a credential with Sacramento State, you can earn a Bilingual Authorization upon completing your credential or after completing your credential. If you earned your credential elsewhere, please contact us about our Inservice Teacher Bilingual Authorization Pathway.

"I want a Bilingual Authorization because it's who I am. My language is who I am. If I can obtain something extra with my credential to show who I am, I'm going to do it." (Sac State Prospective Teacher Candidate, 2023).

"I love that my students tell me I look like their Tio or that I remind them of their family members. It's like they automatically respect me and show love for me because they see me as a family member. To me, that's so valuable." (Sac State Prospective Teacher Candidate, 2023).

Our mission and program design principles build on research literature for high quality teacher preparation programs that incorporate best practices that specifically focuses on preparing teachers for work in bilingual or dual-language programs and in culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

If you are bilingual/biliterate in another language

Anyone pursuing a teaching credential at Sacramento State who is fluent and proficient in Hmong and/or Spanish is eligible to also earn a Bilingual Authorization in these languages. If you are fluent in any of the following, you can also add a Bilingual Authorization: Arabic, Armenian, Cantonese, Farsi, Filipino, French, German, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Mandarin, Punjabi, Russian or Vietnamese by taking a CSET exam: https://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/bilingual-authorizations-(cl-628b)

Schedule an advising appointment with Karina Figueroa-Ramirez to learn more.

Resources:

CA Association for Bilingual Education (CABE)

CA Department of Education

Multilingual Education in CA

CA Commission on Teacher Credentialing

EDJOIN.ORG

Our program is committed to developing bilingual teacher candidates with a knowledge and skill base that will allow them to:

  1. use and further develop [their own and students’] bilingualism, biliteracy, and cultural funds of knowledge;
  2. promote student achievement at academically high standards across the core curriculum; and,
  3. encourage our credential and graduate students to use languages and language varieties other than English across university and classroom settings.

What are the requirements for a Bilingual Authorization?

Pre-Requisite:

1. Three (3) units of approved "Culture of Emphasis” course with minimum C- grade. See advisor for course options.

Before OR During the Credential Program:

  1. EDUC 175 Pedagogy and Academic Language Skills in Spanish for Bilingual Educators (Fall 2024 will be available to take during your undergraduate program or during cred program, available only fall semester) or EDUC 172 Introduction to Hmong Literacy (Take during your undergraduate program or during cred program)
  2. Language Assessment to be completed in EDUC 175 or EDUC 172 through coursework.
  3. 20 hours of Observations in bilingual programs and field experience teaching in the target language are required.

Scholarships for Bilingual Authorization Candidates

We often have scholarships exclusively for Bilingual Authorization Candidates. Ask us about current offerings. Asian Languages Bilingual Teacher Education Program Scholarship

For further information, please visit Bilingual Authorization Requirements or watch an information session providing an overview on program admission criteria to our programs.

Basic Skills Requirement

CBEST to satisfy Basic Skills Requirement

As of June 29th, 2024, Governor Newsom signed SB 153 providing that anyone can use their bachelor's degree (from an accredited higher education institution) towards basic skills requirement.

For candidates who are interested in substitute teaching with 90 units or more, they will still need to meet basic skills requirement. The section below only pertains to those who are interested in substitute teaching and need to take CBEST.

Sac State is now an authorized test center for Pearson Vue and now offers several tests for teaching candidates such as the CBEST, CSET, CTEL, and RICA. Please visit the Testing Center to register.

Basic Skills Requirement (BSR) or CBEST to satisfy this requirement
Basic Skills Requirement (BSR) can be met through coursework or CBEST Reading, Writing, & Math. Request an evaluation for BSR to verify whether you need it. If you need any section of CBEST, here's how to start:

Subject Matter Competency - CSETs

Subject Matter Competency

Sac State is now an authorized test center for Pearson Vue and now offers several tests for teaching candidates such as the CBEST, CSET, CTEL, and RICA. Please visit the Testing Center to register.

Applicants can meet this admission requirement through their degree major, specific coursework, CSET exam, or a combination of the CSET and specific coursework. Complete an evaluation to verify whether you need to take the CSET. For more information about how to meet the Subject Matter Competency requirement, SMC webpage on the CTC website.

If, after you have completed the survey you receive an email that advises you to take any section of CSET, here's how to start:

Step 1: Look up the free practice test online through CTC exams. Be sure to scroll down to view test structure and also view tutorials and preparation materials.

Or, look up test information by opening the correct PDF at the links below:

Step 2: Take the practice test and time yourself

Step 3: Make a study/action plan that should include which subtest to prepare for first, how much time to spend studying for each subtest and when to take it. We recommend you prepare for and take one subtest at a time rather than all at once.

Step 4: Check out materials to help you study AND/OR schedule tutoring with an EdEq Peer Mentor

Step 5: Watch an information session recording:

CSET Inter

Informational Flyer

CSET Interest Form Flyer 5

CSET: Mathematics Subtests I, II, & III Courses for 2023-24

Instructor: Dr. Stefaan Delcroix (sdelcroix@csufresno.edu)
Registration: https://bit.ly/MSTI-Registration • Course Times: 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Mathematics Subtest I Overview (Algebra)
Dates (Summer 2024 series) – July 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Mathematics Subtest II Overview (Geometry; Probability/Statistics)
Dates (Summer 2024 series): July 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 31; August 1

Mathematics Subtest III Overview (Trigonometry and Calculus)
Dates (Spring 2024 series): Jan. 10, 17, 24, 31; Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28; March 6, 13, 20In addition, if you know anyone who would like to add a science teaching authorization, MSTI-Fresno State also offers free online reviews in all areas of science. These are taught by talented and committed science educators. Please visit https://bit.ly/MSTI-Fresno-CSET23-24 to view the schedule. Register via this link: https://bit.ly/MSTI-Registration

For those interested in the Bilingual Authorization, the following criteria must be met, ideally before starting a credentialing program with us:

Request an evaluation to confirm whether you need CSET (and any subtests for it). If you need any section of CSET, here's how to start:

Take the practice test CSET I, II, & III (here) and bring your results.

DACA and Undocu- Applicants

  • Sacramento State is pleased to consider all eligible applicants for admission into an educator preparation program.

  • Accepted applicants who complete all educator preparation program requirements can be recommended for state licensure (e.g., a teaching credential, a school counselor credential) & work.

  • If you are a DACA recipient in an educator preparation program or applying to an educator preparation program and have questions please contact the Dreamer Resource Center (drc@csus.edu; 916-278-7241) to schedule a free consultation with an immigration attorney to discuss your individual case.

Individual Tax Payer Identification Number (ITIN)

  • In CA, a person cannot be denied a professional license due to immigration status.
  • ITIN is a 9 digit number to pay taxes. It is not a work permit.
  • If you are undocu- and not eligible for DACA, you may use an ITIN for your livescan and obtain a teaching credential.

Please contact Kimberly Gomez, Program Coordinator, at the Dreamer Resource Center (drc@csus.edu; 916-278-7241) to schedule a free consultation with an immigration attorney to discuss your individual case. Services are for students, their immediate family members, staff members and our alumni (two years after they have already graduated). Legal services are available via zoom. Information current as of 1/6/2023.

Resources for Students

  • Bilingual Teachers Club at Sacramento State

    • If you are bilingual or multilingual, consider joining for an opportunity to increase your field experiences, network and meet other future educators and much more. Contact bamargie@csus.edu to join
  • CA Mini Corps, Tutoring Program
    • Have a background working in farm labor/ag? Consider applying to the California Mini-Corps Program for paid tutor positions working in rural local schools. College Students with a rural migrant background work as tutors to serve as role models that raise the educational and career aspirations of migrant students in local rural schools. Contact Juanita Lupercio-Ortega
  • Career Center at Sacramento State
    • Explore career opportunities in education.
  • Comprometid@s
    • Our goal is to increase the number of culturally and linguistically competent teachers by creating a clear and coordinated path to recruit, support, and advance Latinx and bilingual teachers from high school, through Sacramento State’s undergraduate program, to completion of the post- baccalaureate teaching credential program.

      Interested in establishing a Future Teacher Club and/or Pathway, please contact:

      Director: Dr. Margarita Berta-Ávila: bamargie@csus.edu
    • Co-Director: Karina Figueroa-Ramírez: figueroaramirez@csus.edu
  • EduCorps: Celebration of Teaching
    • EduCorps is for high school, community college and undergraduate students, credential students, and career changers, offering resources and support for every step of your journey to become a teacher.
      What is EduCorps

  • Faculty Student Mentor Program

    • Contact our Peer Mentors at edeq@csus.edu to schedule a time to come in and meet the team. Especially if you have questions about our college or campus regarding: how to navigate MySacState and Keys to Degree Toolbox, how add/drop classes, scheduling advising appointments with CoE advisors, how to become more involved on campus with student organizations, where to apply for scholarships, and much more.

  • FAQ
  • Math and Science Teacher Initiative

    • The Math and Science Teacher Initiative (MSTI) provides support for students and in-service teachers to network in the math and science teaching community, and also offers great opportunities to attend conferences and professional development. MSTI is part of a CSU system-wide project to increase math and science teachers, and will play a big role in addressing an acute math and science teacher shortage (30,000 in the next 10 years).

Employment Opportunities

edjoin.org

Become a Substitute Teacher

If you are currently enrolled in a regionally-accredited four-year California college or university AND have earned 90-semester units, you may be able to substitute teach. Inquire with the school district as they may require an earned bachelor's degree and BSR. Additionally, you can sub at schools that have dual-immersion (billingual) programs to obtain the required hours for a billingual authorization and this experience certainly helps build your field work. Meet with an advisor to obtain more information about a list of billingual schools in the area.

If you have completed 90 units and your grades have posted, you should:

  1. Apply directly with the school district you intend to substitute for by completing your application on edjoin.org
  2. Apply for the Prospective Emergency Substitute Teaching Permit. Or, apply for the Emergency Substitute Teaching Permit IF you have already obtained a bachelor's degree.
  3. Order your official transcripts to be sent to the school district you are applying to.
  4. Meet with an advisor to request an evaluation for Basic Skills Requirement (BSR). You can meet BSR through coursework or by taking the CBEST exam.

    To sub, the CTC is waiving the BSR requirement through June 2024, so you should proceed to apply and work on meeting BSR anyway if you are intending to apply to any of our teacher credentialing programs as you will still need to meet this requirement.
  5. Complete a livescan (fingerprinting) and apply for a Certificate of Clearance. If you have DACA or an ITIN, you can use these numbers on the livescan form for identification purposes. You can get fingerprinted on campus by contacting Campus Police: https://www.csus.edu/campus-safety/
  6. The application fee is $100.
  7. You will need to obtain tuberculosis negative results. You can schedule an appointment at the Well for a TB test: https://www.csus.edu/student-life/health-counseling/

Contact your school district personnel for further information. Or, email the Ed Equity peer mentors at edeq@csus.edu to schedule a zoom meeting to discuss their experiences as substitute teachers before (or during) being admitted to our teacher credentialing programs as student teachers.

See the CA Commission on Teacher Credentialing's complete guide for further information:
https://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/emergency-sub-teaching-permit-(cl-505d)