Introduction:  Preconditions for California  Educator  Preparation  Programs 

California law  provides the Commission  on Teacher  Credentialing with  the  authority to accredit  institutions  and  approve all programs  that  lead  to a  credential to serve as an  educator  in  California’s public schools. Among other responsibilities, Section  44225 of the California Education Code  establishes that  the Commission  shall  establish  professional standards,  assessment  and  examinations for  entry and  advancement  in  the education  profession, adopt a framework  and  general  standards  for  the  accreditation of  preparation  programs for  teachers  and other certificated  educators, and  propose  appropriate rules  and  regulations  in  this area. All  institutions  wishing  to offer  credential programs  in  the  area  of educator  preparation programs  must first successfully respond to the Commission’s preconditions. 

What is a  Precondition? 

A precondition  is a requirement  for  initial  and  continued  program  approval.  Unlike standards, preconditions  specify  requirements for  program  compliance. The  basis for  a precondition is  either statute,  regulations, or  Commission  policy. 

What kinds  of  preconditions  exist? 

The first  type  of preconditions are  the Commission’s General Institutional Preconditions.   These  apply  to all professional  preparation  programs  but  do not apply to subject  matter programs. 

The second  type of  preconditions are  those  that  apply  to particular kinds of  credential  preparation  programs.   Preconditions differ according to the type of  educator  preparation  programs  and  must  be  addressed  for  each  type  of educator preparation  program  a program  sponsor  has  been  approved t o offer. 

The  third  type of precondition  is  only  applicable to  new educator  preparation programs  being  proposed  for  initial  program approval.  There are two of these  preconditions  including  Demonstration of Need and Practitioners’ Participation in Program Design.  

What preconditions  should  be submitted?  

For Initial Program Approval (IPR)
  • 2 initial program preconditions
  • Credential Program  Specific preconditions for  each type of  new program being proposed   
For Continuing  Accreditation (Years 1 and  4 of  the  Accreditation  Cycle)  
 
  • General Institutional Preconditions
  • Credential Program  Specific  Preconditions for  all  programs offered  
For Initial Institutional  Approval  (Institutions  seeking to  become Approved  Program Sponsors eligible to offer  educator  preparation  programs in  California)  
  • General  Institutional Preconditions  
  • Credential Program  Specific Preconditions for  all  programs being proposed
  • 2 Initial Program Preconditions

When  are  preconditions  reviewed? 

Preconditions are reviewed  prior to 1) initial institutional approval, 2) initial  program approval  and    3)  years 1  and  4  during the  seven  year accreditation cycle. 

Who reviews preconditions? 

Because preconditions are related  to  issues  of compliance,  Commission  staff  determines whether  a program complies with  the adopted  preconditions on  the basis of  responses and  evidence  provided  by the institution.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Updated June 16, 2023