Credentialing

Overview

Leadership Institute Preliminary Administrative Credential Program

The Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), working in tandem with the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE), has developed a dynamic program that seeks to develop and facilitate a series of opportunities for you –the participant – to grow in your leadership capacity as we collectively face the challenges ahead of us. The Leadership Institute provides candidates an opportunity to earn a Preliminary Administrative Services Credential through our one-year program. The program is accredited through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) and is comprised of six courses. The courses are based on the California Professional Standards for Education Leaders (CPSELs) and integration of Cal APA exam content.


Clear Administrative Credential Program

ACSA’s innovative induction program and services for administrators seeking to clear their ASC are considered the gold standard throughout the state. The induction program design and implementation provides support and guidance grounded in the California Professional Standards for Education Leaders (CPSEL) in the three designated areas, chronicled in the Individual Induction Plan: coaching, professional development and assessment.

The program provides individualized, one-on-one, job-embedded coaching over the course of the two-year program. Candidates enroll within one year of starting an initial administrative position, with coaching services starting within 30 days of program enrollment.

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Preliminary Administrative Credential Program

Leadership Institute Preliminary Administrative Credential Program

Overview

The Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) working in tandem with the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) has developed a dynamic program that seeks to develop and facilitate a series of opportunities for you –the participant – to grow in your leadership capacity as we collectively face the challenges ahead of us. The Leadership Institute provides candidates an opportunity to earn a Preliminary Administrative Services Credential through our one-year program. The program is accredited through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) and is comprised of six courses. The courses are based on the California Professional Standards for Education Leaders (CPSELs) and integration of Cal APA exam content.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Copy of one of the following valid credentials:
    1. clear or life California teaching credential that requires a baccalaureate degree and a program of professional preparation, including student teaching or the equivalent, and holds an English learner authorization; or
    2. clear or life California designated subjects teaching credential in adult education, career technical education, vocational education or special subjects, provided the applicant also possess a California services credential in pupil personnel services, health services for school nurse, teach librarian services, or speech-language pathology or clinical or rehabilitative services requiring a baccalaureate degree and a program of professional preparation, including field work or the equivalent.

Holders of any of the other Health Services Credentials, such as the school physician, dentist, dental hygienist, optometrist, clinical psychologist, and psychiatric social worker, do not meet this requirement.

A minimum of five years of full-time teaching experience. Full-time service means service for a minimum of four hours per day for at least three-fourths of the total days in the school year. Substitute or part-time service does not apply. The applicant process includes verification that the candidate has a minimum of four years of experience (with the fifth year completed while concurrently completing the preliminary credentialing program).

  • Passing score on the CBEST or equivalent Basic Skills Requirement

Options for Meeting the Basic Skills Requirement - Participants should review the in-depth criteria for the CTC Basic Skills Requirement via the CTC website at: https://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/basic-skills-requirement-(cl-667). Individuals may satisfy the basic skills requirement by one of the following methods:

  1. Pass the CBEST
  2. Pass the CSET: Multiple Subjects Plus Writing Skills Examination
  3. Pass the CSU Early Assessment Program or the CSU Placement Examinations
  4. Achieve Qualifying Score on the SAT or ACT
  5. College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations
  6. Pass a Basic Skills Examination from Another State
  7. Meet the Basic Skills Requirement by Coursework
  8. Individuals may meet the requirement by providing official transcripts to a Commission-approved preparation program or submitted with their application packet to the Commission.

For in-depth criteria, please visit the CTC Basic Skills Requirement website at: https://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/basic-skills-requirement-(cl-667)

Application Process

  • The Preliminary Administrative Services Credential Program will be accepting applications for its for 2024-25 Cohort starting February 21, 2024.

Program Cost

  • $8,000 for 2024-2025 year * (Cost includes textbooks, program materials, and tuition)
  • There are several payment options available.
  • Options include:
    • SchoolsFirst Financial Credit Union loan – Please view the flyer for more information.
    • Sallie Mae Education Loan – Please visit their website at https://www.salliemae.com.

Additional Cost

In addition to successful completion of the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential Program, preliminary candidates are required to take, and pass, all three cycles of the Cal APA Exam in order to receive their Preliminary Administrative Services Credential. Cal APA Exam fees are not included in the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential Program fees. Please note, at this time, all CalAPA Exam Fees are waived by CTC.

These fees are paid separately by the participant.

  • Cal APA Exam Fees:
    • Cycle 1 - $125
    • Cycle 2 - $150
    • Cycle 3 - $150

Fees are subject to change at the discretion of the California Department of Education.

Want more information?
Attend a Preliminary Administrative Services Credential Information Session:

March 14, 2024 6:00-7:00 pm

Register in advance for this meeting

March 26, 2024 4:00-5:00 pm

Register in advance for this meeting

April 16, 2024 4:30-5:30 pm

Register in advance for this meeting

Preliminary Credential Program Payment Options

Leadership Institute Program Flyer

For more information, contact Dr. Tamerin Tooker
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Clear Administrative Credential Program

Clear Administrative Credential Program

ACSA’s Clear Administrative Credential Program (CACP) is the largest provider of coaching, professional development and assessment for attaining the Clear Administrative Services Credential. Our program is grounded in the California Professional Standards for Education Leaders (CPSEL) and a highly trained and experienced leadership coach supports and guides candidates with individualized, one-on-one, job embedded coaching to support the work of a new administrator over the course of the two-year program.

New administrators must enroll in a Clear Administrative Credential Program to obtain a Clear Administrative Services Credential within the first year of obtaining an administrative position. ACSA has served 985 new administrators throughout ACSA’s 19 regions as we partner with local programs throughout the state. Local program coordinators provide advisement, coaching assignments and specific information unique to each local program.


"Having virtually visited the program and interacted with numerous stakeholders, it is apparent that ACSA's Clear Administrative Services Credential Program is highly valued by all of its stakeholders.... Candidates and completers reported that they experienced a powerful job embedded program facilitated and supported by incredible coaches."

~California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, Team Lead


Clear Administrative Credential Candidates benefit from program components:

Program Requirements

Program Benefits

  • 40 hours individualized, on-site leadership coaching
  • 20 hours of individualized Professional Development
  • Actively employed in an administrative services position
  • Highly trained, skilled, and successful Certified Leadership Coach
  • Cohort-based collaboration with new administrators throughout California
  • Collaborative and supportive system for developing an induction plan and action steps

Program Enrollment Dates:

Fall 2023-2025 Cohort Enrollment May 1 - August 31

Winter 2023-2025 Cohort Enrollment September 15 - January 31


Eligibility Requirements:

  • Possession of a valid preliminary administrative services credential or certificate of eligibility from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Due to COVID-19 Variable Term Waivers may also meet eligibility requirements.
  • Verification of an offer of employment in an employing agency as defined in Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations Section 80054 (g) (1).

Application Process:

Step 1:

Local Program Advisement

Contact a Local Program Coordinator for advisement to discuss coach match, professional development, credential pathway, program outcomes and local program coaching fees.

Local Program Coordinator List

Contact the ACSA office at credentialing(at)acsa.org or (800) 608-2272 if you have questions about which Local Program you are affiliated with.

Step 2:

Application

Complete a Verification of Administrative Employment form. A signature is required from your employer.

Obtain a copy of the appropriate credential from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC).

Step 3:

Verification and Acceptance

ACSA will process your application, and will send an "at-a-glance" form to your Local Program Coordinator. Your Local Program Coordinator will contact you for consultation. Based on your eligibility and the availability of a coach in your area, your Local Program Coordinator will recommend ACSA to accept you into the Clear Administrative Credential Program.


ACSA will send you an acceptance letter by email. Please read the email for directions regarding next steps which may include directions to apply to the California Commission of Teacher Credentialing to have a Certificatte of Eligibility converted to a preliminary administrative services credential.

Step 4:

Registration

Included in the email containing your acceptance letter, ACSA will request that you register as your way of agreeing to be in the program.

BE SURE YOU RETAIN YOUR CONFIRMATION NUMBER AND LOGIN INFORMATION FOR FUTURE USE.

Step 5:
Program Fee Payment

Program fees of $1,000.00 per year may be paid by a candidate or an employer.

ACSA Program Fees are

$1,000.00 per year, for a total of $2,000.00 over the course
of the two-year program.


Step 6:
Coaching Service Fees

Contact your Local Program Coordinator for more information regarding coaching service fees which may range from $3,500.00 per year to $5,000.00 per year.


Step 7:
Start Program

The Local Program Coordinator will inform candidates of a coach match.


Nondiscrimination: No candidate will be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, ancestry, familiar status, disability, sexual orientation, pregnancy or pregnancy related condition in its employment practices. This policy of affording equal candidate access to all persons is in keeping with provisions of state and federal laws and regulations.

Contact credentialing(at)acsa.org for questions.


Credentialing