Credentials...Or Lack Thereof

Amid the accusations of child molestation, a few reporters decided to take a closer look at Robert Adams.  In a 1999 bankruptcy case for Creative Frontiers, Mr. Adams filed a résumé with the court showing his credentials as an educator.  He reported he had multiple degrees from several universities.  He stated he had two Baccalaureate degrees from California State University Northridge, one in Child Development and one in Psychology, a Masters degree from Pacific Oaks Teachers College in conjunction with the University of Beverly Hills and the University of California Los Angeles, and mentions beginning a Doctorate at the University of Beverly Hills.  In another portion he states that he attended graduate school at UCLA where he earned an administrative credential.   The reporters found that some of these credentials didn't actually pan out.  Many supporters were told, and believe still that the newspapers issued retractions, but they merely updated the dates (1975) that Mr. Adams earned the two BA degrees from CSU Northridge.

Quite simply, there is only a small fraction of truth to Mr. Adams' résumé.  Mr. Adams holds two degrees from CSU Northridge.  Mr. Adams does not have a teaching credential issued from CSU Nothridge.  Mr. Adams did attend a semester of classes at Pacific Oaks, but he most certainly did not earn a Masters Degree at the college.  UCLA has no record of his attendance, so I would say it is safe to assume he did not earn an administrative credential there either.

Mr. Adams' attorney, Linda Parisi spoke on his behalf and stated that Mr. Adams education and experience granted him a credential under the Ryan Act.  So what is the Ryan Act?  Also known as the Teacher Preparation and Licensing Law of 1970, it was the very beginning stages of our California Commission on Teacher credentialing as we know it today.  When this new credential system was launched, they wanted to ensure teachers who were already teaching as such, could continue to do so.  They allowed for equivalency credentials for these teachers.  Since that time, this nifty little loophole still exists. 

The California Teaching Commission defines the Ryan Teaching Credential as:

Ryan Teaching Credentials These credentials are issued under the provisions of the Teacher Preparation and Licensing Law of 1970 (The Ryan Act), its subsequent amendments and additions, including the Bergeson Act of 1988, and other laws and regulations currently in effect. The Ryan Credentials are issued under a two-tier system. Normally, individuals who qualified for their initial credential are issued a preliminary credential. After completing additional requirements, a professional clear credential is issued.

Gaining a credential this way is certainly still an option.  The Commission looks at your education and private school experience, however, it is much more than just having the required experience as a teacher and basic educational requirements.  According to the Commission issued guidelines on Single Subject and Multiple Subject Teaching Credentials, Requirements for Teachers with Private School Experience, there are many strict requirements to follow.  One must apply directly to the Commission to be granted their first, five year, preliminary credential.  You must first prove you meet basic skills by one of four ways; taking the CBEST and passing, taking the CSET and passing, or, after 1999, taking the CSU's Early Assessment Program and passing, or by taking an out of state Basic Skills Examination.  You also have to have a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally-accredited college or university.  You also need to prove you meet minimum requirements for a multiple subject teaching credential (what elementary teachers have) by taking the CSET.  You also have to pass the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment.  You are also required to have proof of passing courses in, Developing English Language Skills, Provisions and Principles of the U.S. Constitution, and either a computers course that includes using computers in the classroom or pass the Preliminary Education Technology test.   Additionally, you must provide proof of your employment as a teacher in a WASC accredited private school setting along with performance reviews.  Please note, Creative Frontiers had only just gained WASC accreditation.  You must have a minimum of 3 years experience.  Once these basic requirements are met, you send in your application, along with your fees and transcripts and wait.  When everything is cleared, you are issued a 5 year credential.  This is ONLY for 5 years.  To obtain a clear credential, you must do more.


To have a Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential using your experience equivalent, you have two options  According to the Commission.  

Option one; complete a a Commission-approved Professional Teacher Induction Program, verify CPR training, earn an authorization to teach English learners by either a. Hold an English learner Authorization, Crosscultural, Language and Academic Development (CLAD) Certificate, or Bilingual Authorization. b. Hold an out-of-state credential that authorizes instruction of English learners. Submit a photocopy of the credential for evaluation purposes, c. Complete a Commission-approved English learner or Bilingual authorization program, based on California Teacher of English Learner (CTEL) standards, d. Achieve passing scores on tests 1, 2, and 3 of the CTEL Examination. See Commission leaflet CL-628C, entitled English Learner Authorization/CLAD Certificate for additional information. Scores used for certification purposes may be no older than five years from the individual passed exam date, or e. Hold a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certificate in Early and Middle Childhood/English as a New Language or Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood/English as a New Language. A photocopy of the certificate must be submitted along with the application packet.

Option two; A fifth year of study at a California college or university with a Commission-approved teacher preparation program, securing that institution’s formal recommendation for the clear credential. The following must be verified if not completed for the preliminary credential:
• Course work in health education that includes, but is not limited to, nutrition; the physiological and sociological effects of alcohol, narcotic, and drug abuse; and the use of tobacco. This requirement includes verification of training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) that covers infant, child and adult CPR skills.
• Course work in the laws, methods, and requirements for providing educational opportunities to special populations in the regular classroom
• Advanced computer technology course work in the use of computers in educational settings
• Advanced course work in teaching English learners
AND earn an authorization to teach English learners by one of the methods listed above.  

Then, and ONLY then does one have a Clear Single Subject of Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.


We know that Mr. Adams DOES have 2 BA degree's from CSU, Northridge.  Northridge is indeed an accredited college.  I have no way of knowing if Mr. Adams passed or even took any of the required exams.  Let's give him the benefit of the doubt and say he did.  What is evident, is that Mr. Adams does not hold a clear teaching credential.  If he did, it would be listed on the California Teacher Credential Website.  As you can see, there is a whole lot more that goes into getting your credential through teaching equivalency than just having a degree and having experience.  To have a degree and the experience is great, but it doesn't mean you are a credentialed teacher.  Adams' attorney, Linda Parisi told the Associated Press, "The B.A. degree met requirements for the Ryan K-3 teaching credential,"  Sorry Mr. Adams.  This is not the truth.  There is A LOT more to it than just having a BA degree as you can clearly see.  In addition, I will point out that any Administrative Credentials would also be listed on the Credential Website, and there are none.  I will however point out, that neither are required to teach in, or operate a private school, but that isn't the point.  The point is Robert Adams said on a résumé that he earned Teaching Credentials from CSU, Northridge, and simply stated, that is downright untruthful.


Mr. Adams also claimed on his résumé to have a Master's Degree in Education from Pacific Oaks College.  In reality, his lawyer clarifies, "An institution didn't actually issue the degree.  It's not a diploma, but it's recognized as a school equivalency degree, and that's how he qualified in the doctoral program."  So wait, he DIDN'T earn a Master's degree then, correct?  Mr. Adams did take a few courses from Pacific Oaks College, but most certainly did not earn any degrees.  It should also be noted that the Doctorate program he was supposedly going to attend was for the University of Beverly Hills, an institution no longer in business and long rumored to be a "diploma mill."  It is also important to note, he was issued the equivalent degree with the understanding he would be entering the school's doctorate program, a program he never completed. Even if he had completed the program, the school was unaccredited, and it's doctorate programs labeled as "bogus" by some.

Mr. Adams' résumé also states he went to University of California Los Angeles, where he earned his administrative credential.  There is no record of this credential and no evidence that he even attended the school.  In an interview with the Associated Press, Parisi told them that Mr. Adams took extension classes at UCLA, but did not receive any credentials.  So wait, another lie?

So what does this all mean?  Does it mean Robert Adams is guilty of he molestation charges against him?  In short, no.  It DOES mean that Mr. Adams has been untruthful to many, many people.  To operate a school and put forth that you have these sort of credentials, when indeed you do not, is nothing more than a lie.  It leads to character.  Many supporters have claimed "who hasn't fudged a résumé?" Well folks, this is certainly a bit more than a little fudge.  A lie is a lie.  And this is a big one.






If anyone would like to send DoubtingCFS an email with evidence of Mr. Adams' credentials, we will gladly post them and retract any statements that prove to be false.  There were claims that they were sent to the media but the media refused to publish them.  Well, here is your chance.  I will publish them.  All you have to do is send them to me.