Lock List Clarification

Lock List Clarification

Recently the Commission has received inquiries from programs regarding candidates who started their preparation before July 1, 2022 under the prior Education Specialist program standards, who stopped out for some reason, and are now seeking to re-enroll to complete the requirements for their credential under the previous standards. The question is whether or not these candidates must complete the program under the previous set of standards or the current (new) standards.

When determining the answer to that question for these returning candidates, there is language in Education Code 44252.1 that defines “enrolled” and “continuously enrolled” candidates that must be followed. Specifically, continuously enrolled candidates are those individuals who have begun a teacher preparation program and do not have a break in that participation that exceeds a period of 18 months. Furthermore, these continuously enrolled candidates are not subject to any new requirements added by statute, regulation, or Commission standards if that candidate is continuously enrolled in the program. Therefore, any candidate who has not been continuously enrolled as defined by Education Code 44252.1, must meet the new Education Specialist Preliminary program standards that took effect July 1, 2022.

As a reminder, any candidate who initially enrolled in an Education Specialist preparation program on or after July 1, 2022 is required to complete the new MMSN, ESN, ECSE, DHH, or VI credential program under the new standards and TPEs.

Programs were asked to submit lock lists in 2022 that were due August 5, 2022. The purpose of these lists was to identify candidates who might become intern eligible in one of the prior Education Specialist credential areas (Mild/Moderate, Moderate/Severe, or ECSE). The Commission should have all of these candidates’ names at this time. It is not necessary to provide the names of candidates who are earning the prior authorizations via the traditional student teaching pathway. Preliminary programs will have the ability to recommend candidates for these prior authorizations through June 30, 2026. For more information on this and other topics, please visit the PSD Special Education website.