U.S. Constitution Exam

 

In order to teach in the state of California, you must prove competency in the U.S. Constitution. Undergraduate coursework may exempt you from this exam. You will take the US Constitution exam from a home computer. Your credential will not be filed without the US Constitution requirement. Corps members may be eligible for an Constitution Exam exemption if they have taken coursework covering the US Constitution. 

 

All Teach for America – Los Angeles corps members must fulfill the Constitution requirement established for teachers in the state of California.  There are two ways to meet this requirement:

1) passing a Constitution exam online 

2) undergraduate coursework.

 

OPTION 1: TAKE THE ONLINE EXAM

If your undergraduate coursework does not qualify you for an exemption, you will take the exam online at the following link usconstitutionexam.com before the first day of institute. Taking the exam online allows you to take the exam from anywhere, at any time.The website has given Teach for America Los Angeles corps members a $25 discount, making the cost of the exam $65. To receive the discount you must enter “tfa2015” in the coupon code field when paying for the exam. The cost includes several test preparation modules, various instructional materials, and a practice test. The test is administered in a multiple choice format. After completing the exam and receiving a passing certificate via e-mail, forward a copy via email to lainfo@teachforamerica.org

 

OPTION 2: APPLY FOR AN EXEMPTION

Corps members who feel their undergraduate coursework may exempt them from the exam can petition for a waiver. Those who may be eligible for exemption are:

• All graduates of California State Universities

• Those who have completed undergraduate course(s) in a California or an out of state school that covered the contents of the US constitution

 

Exemption Requests

To apply for an exemption, please send the following items to lainfo@teachforamerica.org.

• A paragraph stating the reason you are petitioning. (i.e. coursework or CalState grad)

• A transcript showing the completion of the relevant coursework completed AND a course syllabus (preferred) or a course description of the course that may qualify for the US Constitution requirement

OR

A transcript showing a degree conferred by a CalStateUniversity

Please note AP courses and examination credit do not qualify for exemptions and a petition for exemption based on an AP class will not be granted. Late petitions will not be accepted. Additionally, submitting an exemption request does not guarantee you will be granted an exemption. You will be notified via email if you qualify for an exemption.