The Glendale Unified School District reported that it had 3,904 English language learners who speak Armenian primarily, making up 49% of the district's total English language learner population.
Assembly Bill 2913's expansion of the test's single subject teaching credential to include the Armenian language will permit high schools, colleges and universities to offer the Armenian language as a course in the curriculum and will guarantee that those courses will be taught by teachers credentialed in Armenian.
The first Armenian test must be administered by Sept. 1, 2009, according to the bill.
Riding a fast track to teaching credential
State Sen. Jack Scott, a Democrat who represents Burbank, Glendale and La Cañada Flintridge, is urging those interested in shifting their professional abilities into teaching by participating in a "fast-track" teacher- credentialing exam.
One exam is scheduled for June 10 and another for Aug. 5.
The registration deadline for the June exam is May 11.
Aspiring teachers can dramatically reduce the time to earn a teaching credential by passing the Teaching Foundations Exam also known as the Early Completion Option. Prospective teachers must prove they have knowledge of their subject. The exam will be conducted statewide for candidates in math, English and other subjects.
Those who want to take the science test may only participate at a reduced rate in order to set statistical passing scores for this exam.
The science exam is normally $155 but the first 100 people who sign up for June 10 will be offered a reduced rate, Scott said.
Many people would make wonderful teachers, but are discouraged by the time and expense of teacher training, Scott said.
Taking the test can cut the time to get a credential from two years to several months, he said.
