Special Education
Education Specialist Preparation in California
California has a two-tiered credentialing system for Education Specialists. Preliminary programs prepare candidates to obtain an initial teaching credential through successful completion of required coursework, fieldwork, and a performance demonstration of their knowledge, skills, and abilities. The second tier of preparation for the Clear credential is a two-year job-embedded individualized induction program that is focused on extensive support and mentoring to new teachers in their first and second year of teaching. View the Roadmap to Teaching webage for information on becoming a teacher in California.
Preliminary Education Specialist Program Information
Preliminary Education Specialist Program Standards and TPEs (rev. July 2024)
Office Hours for Preliminary Education Specialist Programs
Join us on the second Mondays of each month from 10am to 11am for some collaborative conversations with your colleagues. Join the meeting at 10am.
Added Authorizations in Special Education Program Standards (including ECSE)
Mild to Moderate and Extensive Support Needs Authorizations and Definitions
The Clinical Practice Guidance document for all Preliminary Education Specialist credential programs provides specific information related to fieldwork and clinical practice requirements.
Guidance for Sponsors of Educator Preparation Programs on Granting Equivalency (Nov. 2018)
Letter to Employers of Education Specialist Interns (updated May 26, 2023)
This letter provides information to employing agencies about the requirements of the new standards with respect to fieldwork, clinical practice and implementation of a teaching performance assessment for candidates seeking a special education credential in California.
Foundational Commission Resources for Education Specialist Credential Programs
Transition to New Standards Information
PSA 26-02: Sunset Date to Issue Preliminary Education Specialist Credentials under the 2008 Program Standards
Coded Correspondence 22-03: Implementation of the New Preliminary Education Specialist Credentials
CIA 22-06: Expanded Education Specialist Instruction Credential Authorization Assignments
CIA 22-07: Special Education Bridge Authorizations
CIA 22-08: Education Specialist Recommendations via CTC Online
CIA 22-09: Special Education Requirement Updates for Out of State and Out of Country Applicants
Summary of the New Preliminary Education Specialist Credentials
This document provides information on the actions taken by the Commission to improve educator preparation for students with disabilities.
Education Specialist TPEs Comparison Charts – updated April 2021
These charts show the relation to the Universal (General Education) TPEs, and highlight those TPEs that are unique for an Education Specialist.
Recorded Webinar for Preliminary Education Specialist Program Sponsors (from Oct. 2020) and Presentation Slides
Ways to Support the Work of the Commission
Become a CalTPA Assessor for the Education Specialist CalTPA
Current California educators and faculty who help prepare aspiring Education Specialist teachers. Apply to score the Education Specialist CalTPA submissions. Assessor training and calibration will be required of all new assessors in the Spring of each program year.
Become a Member of the Board of Institutional Review (BIR)
California’s accreditation system for educator preparation programs depends on a large cadre of dedicated education professionals who are committed to ensuring that preparation programs in the state are of high quality. The Board of Institutional Review (BIR) is comprised of individuals with expertise across all credential areas who confirm that institutions are implementing programs aligned with Commission adopted standards.
Additional Resources
Special Education Induction FAQs
Important Information on Re-enrolling Candidates into Preliminary Education Specialist programs
Clear Education Specialist Content for Induction Programs-California Prepared Level I Candidates (for more detailed information, view the following webpages: MMD, MSD, ECSE, DHH, VI, PHI)
Submitting a Proposal for a New Educator Preparation Program (Initial Program Review)
Commission on Teacher Credentialing
651 Bannon Street
Sacramento, CA 95811