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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.
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
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.
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 is currently working on her doctoral degree and is expecting to graduate 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
I am a Lecturer in the College of Education, where I work mostly with pre-service teachers and bilingual teacher candidates in the Multiple Subjects credential program. 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
Dr. Berta-Avila has served as Professor in the College of Education for over 20 years. As critical pedagogue, she specializes in bilingual and multicultural education, K-12 teacher preparation, ethnic studies, teacher education, and California Faculty Association, Associate Vice President, north region, President. She may be reached at bamargie@csus.edu
Advising is available in Spanish.
Peer Mentors
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
For more information about our program, join an Information Session held each semester. You can also view our info session recorded video, visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page, contact the College of Education Student Success Center, or contact one of our Peer Mentors.
- Virtual CSET Multiple Subjects Workshops I, II, III will be offered separately. Dates TBD
Stay tuned for details or check our Instagram Page
Ed Equity Instagram for details. - Virtual Information Sessions for Bilingual Candidates (Hmong, Spanish) interested in applying to our teacher credentialing programs for fall 2024.
Re-occurring Zoom link: https://csus.zoom.us/j/86959824575
October 12, 2023
3 - 4:30 p.m.
November 14, 2023
4 - 5:30 p.m.
December 5, 2023
5:30 - 7 p.m. - Virtual Drop-ins for Assistance with our Application (Q&A)
Re-occuring Zoom link: https://csus.zoom.us/j/86959824575
January 11, 2024
3 - 4:30 p.m.
January 18, 2024
3 - 4:30 p.m.
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
Bilingual Authorization Program
"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).
Read more on California's initiative to increase bilingual education programs here:
"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. For students earning a credential elsewhere, to add a Bilingual Authorization, take CSET Spanish III, IV and V then apply directly to the CTC for your authorization.
"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).
What are the requirements for a Bilingual Authorization?
"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 Commission on Teacher Credentialing
Our program is committed to developing bilingual teacher candidates with a knowledge and skill base that will allow them to:
- use and further develop [their own and students’] bilingualism, biliteracy, and cultural funds of knowledge;
- promote student achievement at academically high standards across the core curriculum; and,
- encourage our credential and graduate students to use languages and language varieties other than English across university and classroom settings.
For those interested in the Bilingual Authorization, the following criteria must be met, ideally before starting a credentialing program with us:
- Successful completion of specific courses focused on the target population (6 units total)
- Language examination in Hmong or Spanish
- Hmong CSET – Subtest II
- Spanish CSET – Subtest III
- Watch an information session for CSET Spanish III Preparation - Pre-requisite Course Requirements
- EDUC 170 Introduction to Educating English Language Learners
(Lecture & 10 hours tutoring an EL student)
- EDUC 100A/B Education of Students w/ Disabilities in Inclusive
Settings (Lecture & 30 hours fieldwork students with special needs)
- HLSC 136 School Health Ed
- KINS 172 Elementary PE Methods *Required for Multiple Subjects candidates only (Workshop can be completed during the program) - Competency in Linguistic Bilingual Methodology
- EDUC 175 Pedagogy and Academic Language Skills in Spanish for Bilingual Educators (Must be taken during credentialing program) or
- EDUC 172 Introduction to Hmong Literacy
Competency in English Language Development/Specially Designed Academic Instruction in English (ELD/SDAIE) (Can be taken before credentialing program) - Watch an informational session for future SPED teachers with a Bilingual Authorization
For further information, please visit Bilingual Authorization Requirements or watch an information session providing an overview on program admission criteria to our programs.
CBEST and CSET
Sac State is now an authorized test center for Pearson Vue and now offer several tests for teaching candidates such as the CBEST, CSET, CTEL, and RICA. Please visit the Testing Center to register.
Basic Skills Requirement Can be met through coursework or BEST Reading, Writing, & Math. Request an evaluation for CBEST to verify whether you need it. If you need any section of CBEST, here's how to start:
- Take the practice test CBEST for reading, writing, and math
- Determine which sections and areas you need more support in, if any
- Create an action plan to identify a time frame for each section
- Seek tutoring, study materials, mentoring by contacting the Ed Equity Peer Mentors at edeq@csus.edu or visit Eureka Hall 437.
- June 23,2021 CBEST/CSET Information Session
- CBEST/CSET Resources
- June 23,2021 CBEST/CSET Information Session PPT
- Access our CBEST and CSET information and workshops lead by our Peer Mentors:
- Access our CBEST information and workshops lead by our Peer Mentors: CBEST Workshops
Subject Matter Competency. Can be met through coursework or CSET. 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:
- Access our CSET information and workshops lead by our Peer Mentors:
Take the practice test CSET I, II, & III (here) and bring your results.
DACA and Undocu- Applicants
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Sacramento State is pleased to consider all eligible applicants for admission into an educator preparation program.
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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.
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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
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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
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- Faculty Student Mentor Program
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Contact our Peer Mentors at edeq@csus.edu for assistance in completing and submitting all credentials program applications.
*When coming to see a mentor, please bring your personal laptop if you have one.
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- FAQ
- Math and Science Teacher Initiative
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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).
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Employment Opportunities
edjoin.org
Folsom Cordova Unified School District
916-294-9000 extension 104400
cpelz@fcusd.org
Contact: Charity Pelz
Higher Learning Academy
Contact: Dr. Erin Marston
Pronouns (she, her, hers)
Rancho Del Paso Director
Higher Learning Academy (HLA) & Futures High School
Gateway Community Charters
Lincoln Elementary School, Vallejo, CA
Contact: Leah Dubinsky, Principal
https://www.edjoin.org/Home/DistrictJobPosting/1607459
ldubinsky@vcusd.org
Mini-Corps
Contact: Juanita Lupercio Ortega
PAVE for current enrolled Sac State students
Contact: pave@csus.edu
Woodland Prairie Elementary, Woodland, CA
Contact: Alejandro Delgadillo, Dual Immersion Program
Alejandro.Delgadillo@wjusd.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 can begin to substitute teach. Additionally, you can sub at schools that have dual-immersion (bilingual) programs to obtain the required hours for a bilingual authorization and this experience certainly helps build your field work. Meet with an advisor to obtain more information about a list of bilingual schools in the area.
If you have completed 90 units and your grades have posted, you should:
- Apply directly with the school district you intend to substitute for by completing your application on edjoin.org
- 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.
- Order your official transcripts to be sent to the school district you are applying to.
- 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. - 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/
- The application fee is $100.
- 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)