Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program

General Information

The California Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program (Classified Program) addresses the state’s teacher shortage in STEM, special education, bilingual education, and transitional kindergarten, by supporting local education agencies (LEAs) to recruit classified school employees into teaching careers and support their undergraduate education, professional teacher preparation, and certification as credentialed California teachers. In July 2021, the state appropriated $125 million to expand the California Classified School Employees Teacher Credentialing Program for another five years. Classified staff at grantee LEAs who were selected to participate in the program (participants) receive financial assistance for degree and credentialing-related expenses such as tuition, fees, books, and examination costs; academic guidance; and other forms of individualized support to help them complete their undergraduate education, teacher preparation program, and transition to becoming credentialed teachers.

• Contact Email: ClassifiedGrants@ctc.ca.gov
• Authorizing Legislation
  • AB 130 Section 129
  • ⁠California Code, EDC 44392.
  • California Code, EDC 44393.

Classified Grant Program

• Request for Application (RFA): California Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program - Round Eight
  Grant awards of up to $4,800 per participant per year may be made to funded applicants. Eligible applicants are Local Education Agencies (LEAs)—school districts, county offices of education, or charter schools interested in securing grant funding to recruit and support classified staff who already hold an associate or higher degree to complete a bachelor’s degree and earn a California teaching credential. The Commission is currently accepting applications for the Classified Grant Program.
  • Appendix B - Intent To Apply (Optional)
  • Appendix C - Application Cover Page
  • Appendix D - IHE Partner Summary
  • Appendix E - LEA-IHE Partnership Agreement
  • Appendix F - Budget Overview Form
  • Appendix G - Statutory Priority Points
  • Appendix H - Grant Stewardship and Accreditation Status
    

• Questions and Answers for 2021 Classified Grant Program Request for Application
• Announcement of the 2021 Classified Grant Program Awards

Classified Grant Program - Existing Grantees - New Opportunity

Existing grantees may now (2025-26) make a modification to their approved budget categories and add new categories with the exception of Program Administration. This one time flexibility is offered to existing grantees to assist them with meeting the needs of their participants. Links to the forms that approved grantees need to make changes are included below.

• Classified Grant Program Modification – NEW
• Adding a New LEA Partner Form - NEW
• Adding a New IHE Partner Form

Annual Data Submission Information

As part of the mandatory data collection and reporting requirement for the California Classified School Employee Teacher Credential Program grant, LEA grantee must provide all requested data to the Commission’s for evaluation and reporting. Please carefully read the information below on how to access and complete the data spreadsheet, and additional resources. Data submission is due on Friday, July 17, 2026, by 5:00PM. 

Directions

The individually shared spreadsheet is managed by the Commission and the data will be updated annually by the LEA grantee lead during the life of the grant. Do not create and share a new spreadsheet with the Commission- it will not be reviewed.

Annual Data Submission: When the data is updated on or before July 17, 2026, by 5:00PM, please email ClassifiedGrants@ctc.ca.gov to confirm that the data is updated.

Office Hours

Support sessions will be offered one Tuesday of each month, 10:00AM-11:00AM. Office hours are drop-in, free flow, and no RSVP is required.

Resources for Funded Classified Grant Program Grantees

• SharePoint Spreadsheet Access
• Classified Grant Annual Data Guide
• Annual Data Spreadsheet Instructional Video
• Demographic Survey Template (Google account is needed)
• Office Hours Questions and Answers
• Classified Grant Technical Assistance: Fall 2023, Fall 2024, Fall 2025

Commission Agenda Item

Agenda Item 1C - December 2024