COVID-19: Program Flexibility and Responsibility

April 9, 2020

Preparation programs are required by the Commission to ensure that all candidates complete coursework and field-based learning experiences, and demonstrate the adopted performance expectations prior to recommendation for the credential. Commission-approved programs must work with their partner school districts to implement the clinical practice hours. The Commission encourages programs to think broadly and creatively about ways to provide opportunities for candidates to complete coursework and clinical practice given the current situation.

At its April 2020 meeting, the Commission will consider amending some of the program requirements stated in its adopted Program Standards for all types of educator preparation for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic impact. The Commission does not have the authority to waive requirements that are in the Education Code or Title 5 Regulations. The Commission is working with the Administration and the Legislature on possible Executive Orders or emergency legislation that would allow additional flexibility. More information will be shared as soon as it is available.

Commission-approved programs do not have the ability to modify or be flexible about the following aspects of the Commission-approved educator preparation program:

1. Examinations that are required by Education Code and/or Title 5 Regulation:

  1. Subject Matter verification prior to daily whole class instruction
  2. Passage of RICA for Multiple Subject and Education Specialist, except for Early Childhood Special Education candidates
  3. Passage of a Commission-approved Performance Assessment—for Preliminary Multiple Subject, Single Subject, and Administrative Services candidates

2. Requirements in Education Code or Title 5 Regulations:

  1. Candidates must hold a Certificate of Clearance prior to interacting with students, no matter the delivery model for the program or the clinical practice model—this includes completing the Professional Fitness process
  2. The required number of clinical practice hours for Pupil Personnel Services programs
  3. The required number of hours of support and supervision for teaching interns
  4. The Early Completion Option for Multiple Subject and Single Subject intern Candidates as well as for Teacher Induction candidates

Commission-approved programs do have the ability to modify or be flexible about the following aspects of the Commission-approved educator preparation program:

  • How to modify the planned coursework and program level assessments to address the COVID-19 situation. Commission-approved programs should develop a summary that documents how coursework and program-embedded assessments are modified.
  • How to configure field experiences for candidates and the types of activities to include in field experience—See the COVID-19 Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
  • When to grant equivalencies for the coursework and field experiences in the Commission-approved program’s design.
Updated June 15, 2023