The UCR Teacher Education Program (TEP) BILA program has been preparing teachers to teach in Spanish dual language immersion (DLI) programs for over 25 years. We have embedded the Bilingual Teaching Performance Expectations (BTPEs) across the courses candidates take in the TEP credential program. One of these courses is specifically for BILA credential candidates: EDUC179B/EDUC286, Language Development in the Content Areas in Dual Language Immersion Classrooms. In this course, the development of early literacy in Spanish, supporting students’ development of biliteracy, crosslinguistic transfer, translanguaging, and Spanish language development are among the critical topics covered. 

The TEP endeavors to place BILA candidates in a DLI classroom to allow them the opportunity to broaden their student teaching experience and prepare them for teaching in Spanish in a DLI program. Our Bilingual Program Coordinator supports all candidates toward success in completing the requirements for their BILA.

To earn a BILA, candidates are required to verify their proficiency in Spanish as well as their knowledge of bilingual teaching methodology and pan-Hispanic culture. There are options available to accomplish each of these requirements.

Options for Verifying Spanish Proficiency 

All credential candidates interested in earning a BILA must verify their proficiency in Spanish. We strongly encourage candidates to do so prior to the start of their credential program. Many districts require that the candidate have their Spanish proficiency verified  before student teaching in a Spanish dual language immersion (DLI) classroom. There are several ways to do so: 

Option 1: 

• Take the UCR Spanish Proficiency Assessment (SPA), offered at UCR at no cost to the examinee (possible cost for parking if the examinee does not have a current student parking permit) 

    OR 

Option 2: 

• Take the CSET Subtest III (test code 147), offered at various testing centers across California. Check the CSET website for registration information and cost. 

Caveat: From the CTC: If a candidate is seeking a Single Subject credential and have a BA in Spanish, then the requirement to verify their proficiency in Spanish is waived. At this time, Multiple Subject and Education Specialist credential candidates with a BA in Spanish must take either the SPA or the CSET III. There is a proposal moving forward with the Commission to change this to waive this requirement for all those with a BA in Spanish regardless of the credential they are seeking. 

Options to Complete the Remaining BILA Requirements 

There are three options for credential candidates to complete the remaining requirements for their BILA. 

Option 1 for Multiple Subject and Single Subject credential candidates: 

• Take and pass EDUC179B/EDUC286, Language Development in the Content Areas in a Dual Language Classroom in the winter quarter. This course is a cross-listed elective course that can be taken by those seeking their credential only and those seeking their M.Ed. along with their credential. All credentials require a certain number of electives, so taking this course will not delay a candidate in completing their credential program and as such, will not add an additional cost to the program. This course waives the two tests (CSET IV and CSET V) required by the CTC. 

Option 1 for Education Specialist credential candidates:

• Work with the Bilingual Program Coordinator to complete activities and observations specific to a Special Education setting to complete the requirements for their BILA. Completing the activities and observations waives the two tests (CSET IV and CSET V) required by the CTC. 

Option 2 for Multiple Subject, Single Subject, and Education Specialist candidates: 

• Take and pass CSET IV (subtest 250; bilingual methodology) and CSET V (subtest 258; pan-Hispanic culture). Currently, the cost is $99 for each test. 

Option 3 for Multiple Subject, Single Subject, and Education Specialist candidates: 

• Take and pass the following courses through UC Riverside Extension. Check the extension website for registration information, cost, and length of time to complete the courses. 

  • EDUC X426.51 – Survey of Bilingual Issues (4 units) 

  • EDUC X426.52 – Assessment & Methods of Instruction in Bilingual Settings (6 units) 

  • EDUC X426.53 – Reading and Biliteracy in Spanish and English (4 units) 

  • EDUC X426.54 – Culture and Diversity in Bilingual Settings (4 units)

Teachers with a BILA are in great demand across the nation, including California, and especially in Riverside and San Bernardino County area! Due to this extreme shortage, there often is a $$ stipend for teachers who have a BILA and are teaching in a DLI program. 

Another benefit is that teachers with a BILA teaching in a DLI program are put on a separate seniority list in the event of a reduction-in-force (RIF) layoff situation because teaching in a DLI program requires special authorization. 

But perhaps the greatest benefit is being able to support students, both native speakers of Spanish and native speakers of English, toward high levels of literacy in Spanish and English and high academic achievement in both languages!

The TEP partners with school districts in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. 

Credential candidates are placed with a District Cooperating Teacher by the TEP Placement Coordinator, in collaboration with the district and their Supervisor of Teacher Education. The TEP goal is to place as many BILA credential candidates DLI classrooms where they will be able to do a portion of their student teaching in Spanish. Below are some of the districts the TEP currently partners with and we look forward to adding more in the future. 

• Alvord Unified 
• Coachella Valley Unified 
• Desert Sands Unified 
• Jurupa Unified 
• Moreno Valley Unified 
• Palm Springs Unified 
• Rialto Unified 
• Riverside Unified 
• San Bernardino City Unified 
• Val Verde Unified 

The BILA program does not have a formal enrollment process. When completing their application or during the interview process for admission to the TEP, applicants can indicate their interest in the BILA program. 

Candidates can also join the BILA program after they have been formally admitted by notifying the Bilingual Program Coordinator and/or their academic advisor. We strongly encourage candidates to make the decision regarding earning their BILA during the admission process (application, interview) so that they can move forward with verifying their proficiency in Spanish and indicating their interest in taking EDUC179B/EDUC286 in the winter quarter when meeting with their academic advisor to program plan their winter quarter courses.

Spanish writing workshops are offered to support candidates in enhancing their proficiency in writing in Spanish. The workshops focus on the most common challenges that candidates face in their writing in Spanish as identified through the analysis of writing samples from previous administrations of the SPA. These optional workshops are offered at no cost to current and potential UCR credential candidates.

Registration for Spanish writing workshops will open soon!

SPA preparation workshops are offered at no cost to current and potential UCR credential candidates interested in taking the SPA. Attending a SPA preparation workshop is recommended but not required. 

NEXT WORKSHOP Friday, Sept. 25, 2025 9am - 11am via zoom. Review the SPA content and resources to help you prepare to take and pass the test!

Register in advance: https://tinyurl.com/SPAprepWorkshop

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Questions? Contact Dra. Nicholls kristine.nicholls@ucr.edu

UCR credential candidates have two options available to them to verify their proficiency in Spanish (please see the caveat above regarding those holding a BA in
Spanish):

• Option 1. Take the UCR Spanish Proficiency Assessment (SPA)

  Here is the link to register to take the SPA, which is offered at UCR at no cost to examinees who are currently admitted to or are planning to apply/enroll in the UCR Teacher Education Program: https://tinyurl.com/SPAregLink

• Option 2. Take the CSET III (subtest 147)
  Here is the link to register to take the CSET III (subtest 147), which is offered at various testing centers across California: https://tinyurl.com/CSETIIIreglink. Check the CSET website for registration information and cost.