Speakers representing cutting-edge mentoring and coaching programs for new school administrators are scheduled to discuss the successes and challenges of the “induction” model as a proposed credential requirement at this week’s meeting of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Mike Bossi, ACSA’s director of leadership coaching, will be among those addressing the commission. Others include Carol Leighty, educational leadership admission chair at the Mission Valley Campus of Point Loma Nazarene University; Rebecca Cheung, academic coordinator for policy, organization, measurement and evaluation at University of California, Berkeley; and Louise Adler, education doctorate program director at California State University, Fullerton.
Members of the commission voted in November to support the recommendation of an advisory panel to require induction as the sole pathway to earn the Clear Administrative Services Credential.
The clear credential is the final step in a credentialing pathway that begins with a teaching or school services credential, requires courses in school administration for a Preliminary Administrative Services credential and currently culminates in coursework or experience-based options for the Clear Administrative Services Credential.
ACSA’s and the other programs represented in the discussion all incorporate elements of induction.
CTC Chair Charles Gahagan endorsed the advisory panel’s rationale for emphasizing induction for new administrators. Gahagan, a high school English teacher, is an experienced mentor for novice teachers.
“Having an experienced colleague coaching a novice cannot be undervalued,” he said. “With defined goals and objectives for the coaching relationship, the induction approach promises to provide well-prepared administrators who can provide the strong leadership we need in our schools.”
A significant number of variables need to be considered in terms of developing a fully operational induction system for school leaders. In addressing these variables, the speakers will discuss such topics as:
• The length and focus of the program.
• How best to select, train and support mentors/coaches.
• Best practices for providing support and incorporating on-the-job challenges into the induction process.
• Assessment of the credential candidates.
The CTC’s discussion will help inform the next steps in determining the requirements and characteristics of induction programs for new administrators. ACSA will keep members apprised as developments occur.
In addition to the induction discussion, other items on the Jan. 26-27 CTC agenda include beginning the process of developing an agency-wide strategic plan and addressing the governor’s January budget proposal to raise fees and cut staff to address a 2012-13 $5 million deficit.
Stakeholder surveys and meetings will be part of the strategic planning process.
Among the proposals for closing the CTC deficit are raising credential fees from $55 to $70 to generate $3 million and increasing exam fees by 5 percent to generate $500,000. Thirteen vacant and three currently filled positions would be eliminated to decrease operations by $1.5 million.