Introduction to the PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential

The PK-3 Early Childhood Education (ECE) Specialist Instruction Credential focuses on developmentally appropriate practices for young children in grades PK through 3. PK-3 teachers are expected to design, implement, and facilitate learning activities throughout this grade span which engage students according to their developmental levels. Classroom learning activities need to take into consideration and value each child’s cognitive, social, emotional, linguistic, and cultural experiences, and other relevant background characteristics, assets and abilities as well as any area(s) of special needs. Developmentally appropriate practices foster young children’s joyful learning and help maximize the opportunities for all children to achieve their full potential.

This credential recognizes and values the rich background and extensive experience candidates who come from current and/or prior work in the ECE field bring to their preparation programs. Taken together, these prior work experiences, knowledge and wisdom can provide foundational preparation in child development and early childhood education to support candidates' transition from the Child Development Permit system to earning the PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential and serving as a teacher in a PK-3 ECE classroom setting.

PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential Handbook - includes the Authorization Statement, Program Standards, and Teaching Performance Expectations (TPEs)

PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential Survey Questions FAQs – includes a Q and A document that was developed to respond to the questions received at our PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential Informational Webinar Session held on December 2, 2022. 

Important Message:
While the Commission has begun accepting IPR Intent to Submit Forms and IPR program proposals for the PK-3 Early Childhood Education (ECE) credential, the regulatory packet submitted to the Office of Administrative Law is still moving through the approval process. The packet will establish the credential requirements in law. Therefore, no PK-3 ECE credential program can be given full approval by the Committee on Accreditation until the regulatory package has been approved. This website will provide updates on approval of the regulatory package and information will also be made available in the PSD Enews. 

 

 

Institutions Seeking to Offer a PK-3 Early Childhood Education (ECE) Specialist Instruction Program

Beginning in early 2023, Commission accredited institutions may apply to offer a PK-3 Specialist Instruction Program.  Instructions for institutions seeking program approval for the PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction program are available on the Commission’s Initial Program Review webpage for educator preparation programs.   

Recorded Meetings and Webinars

PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential Webinar: Literacy Standard and TPE 2/19/2023
The following resources are available from the PK3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential Webinar

PK-3 Credential Math Program Standard Webinar 02/02/23
The following resources are available from the PK-3 Credential Math Program Standard Webinar.

 

PK-3 Credential Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Program Standard Webinar 02/02/23
The following resources are available from the PK-3 Credential Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Program Standard Webinar.

 

Submitting a PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential Program Proposal 2/3/2023
The following resources are available from the Initial Program Review Webinar describing the process for submitting for a PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential.


Other resources referenced:

Integrated Grants:
The California state budget authorized a total of $20 million in one-time grants for Integrated Teacher Preparation Planning (maximum $250,000 per eligible applicant for planning) and Integrated Implementation/Expansion (maximum $500,000 per eligible applicant for implementation/expansion). The Integrated Teacher Preparation Program Planning Grant RFA and the Integrated Teacher Preparation Program Implementation and Expansion Grant RFA are available. 

Note: Integrated grant funds made available in the 2022-23 fiscal year are a one-time allocation; as such, the Commission will not release additional RFAs for this budget authorization. Institutions should submit grant 
Grant applications are due to the Commission by 5:00 PM on February 13, 2023.

List of Institutions that Received Dyslexia State Grant 
Pursuant to Assembly Bill 128 (Ch. 21, Stats. 2021), Dyslexia Grants to Preparation Program (Dyslexia Grants)were available on a one-time basis in order to provide competitive awards of up to a maximum of $21,000 for Commission-approved institutions of higher education (IHEs) or local education agencies (LEAs) with Commission-approved preliminary teacher preparation programs to update program curriculum and course offerings to align with the common trunk Teacher Performance Expectation (TPEs), new Education Specialist TPEs, and include pedagogy on dyslexia for both general and special education programs. Click here for a list of institutions that received one or more Dyslexia Grants.

 

ECE/PK-3 Credential Office Hours

Commission staff have established office hours for the ECE/PK-3 Credential stakeholder community. Office hours provide an opportunity when ECE staff will be available to respond to questions, comments, and other informational needs.  ECE/PK-3 Credential office hours will be held from 12-1 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of the month. Here is the zoom link for accessing office hours on the first Tuesday and the zoom link for the third Tuesday. 


Contact Commission staff via the ECE Mailbox 

The ece@ctc.ca.gov mailbox is for general questions about the PK-3 Credential and Child Development Permit preparation programs. For questions about permit requirements and applying for a Child Development Permit, please email credentials@ctc.ca.gov.  


Updated March 27, 2023