Adopted March 2008

WHAT’S NEW?

In March 2008, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing adopted revised standards for Experimental Educator Preparation Programs. A complete handbook for the Experimental Educator Preparation Program Standards was developed and is posted on the Standards webpage.

GOALS FOR EXPERIMENTAL EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAMS

  1. As with all other Commission program completers, experimental program completers have the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities as identified by the Commission’s candidate competence standards to teach and support student learning for all children in California public schools.
  2. Program completers can, through their practice, meet the needs of populations that have been underserved and contribute to the success of all students (including meeting the needs of English language learners and/or helping to close the achievement gap).
  3. Experimental programs contribute to the construction of new knowledge and scholarship on educator preparation to improve student learning. LINKS TO SECTIONS OF THE HANDBOOK INTRODUCTION Provides background on the processes through which institutions become approved to offer educator preparation programs.

SECTION 1: STANDARDS OF QUALITY AND EFFECTIVENESS Provides information about completing the Preconditions, Common Standards or Common Standards Addendum, and contains the Standards of Quality and Effectiveness for Experimental Programs.

SECTION 2: HISTORY OF THE EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM STANDARDS Describes the history of the Experimental Program Standards.

SECTION 3: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO THE EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM STANDARDS Discusses procedures for developing and implementing an approved experimental program.

SECTION 4: SUBMISSION/TRANSMITTAL GUIDELINES Provides submission/transmittal guidelines for program sponsors preparing documentation for initial program approval.

Sample Timeline for Submitting an Experimental Educator Preparation Program Proposal

Activity Prospective Sponsor Commission Staff Committee on Accreditation
Institution or program sponsor identifies an issue, question, or problem that can be addressed through a preparation program that varies from the Commission’s adopted program standards. Month 1N/AN/A
Institution or program sponsor submits a 3-5 page paper describing the issue, question, or problem to the Commission. Month 2N/AN/A
Staff reviews the proposal brief and develops an agenda item for the next Committee on Accreditation meeting. The COA reviews the brief and provides feedback to CTC staff about its interest in reviewing a full proposal. N/AMonth 3Month 4
Institution or program sponsor submits the full proposal, addressing the Preconditions, Common Standards, and Standards for Experimental Educator Preparation ProgramsMonth 3-6N/AN/A
Program proposal is reviewed by a panel of educators (peer review). Reviewers may ask for additional information if the proposal does not initially meet the Experimental Educator Preparation Program Standards. N/AMonth 7-8N/A
The program goes to the COA for approval once the reviewers agree that the proposal meets the Experimental Program Standards. N/AN/AMonth 9
Program begins implementation. Month 9 or laterN/AN/A
Program is included in all accreditation cycle activities as part of the sponsoring institution. Depends on sponsoring institution's cohort membershipDepends on sponsoring institution's cohort membershipDepends on sponsoring institution's cohort membership
Mid-term progress report. At the mid-point of the projectAt the mid-point of the projectAt the mid-point of the project
Final evaluation report with recommendations and Report to the COA At end of the project which is no more than 7 years after approval At end of the project which is no more than 7 years after approval At end of the project which is no more than 7 years after approval

Updated December 19, 2023