AUHSD Teacher Induction Program - Initial Precondition One

Initial Program Precondition One:
Demonstration of Need

To be granted initial program accreditation by the Committee on Accreditation, the program sponsor must demonstrate the need for the type of program in the service area in which it will operate or a need for educators prepared through the specific program delivery model. Proposals must include data on the number of individuals currently serving on less than full credentials, where available, in the service area of the proposed program, projected need based on a needs analysis, and affirmations from employers with their anticipated hiring need for individuals with the planned credential.

Acalanes Union High School District Demonstration of Need

The goal of Acalanes Union High School District’s Induction program, in alignment with the 2024 California Standards of the Teaching Profession (CSTP), is to provide secondary educators with the essential mentorship needed to help them successfully design equity centered curriculum. In order to achieve better learning outcomes for all students, trained mentors will coach new teachers on how to use culturally relevant teaching practices. As a high school district, with 5 campuses, AUHSD is confident that a tailored Induction program for 9-12 educators is the most effective way to offer the essential professional support and guidance needed for them to achieve their California Clear Credential.

AUSHD has been partnering with the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE) since 1998 to provide Induction for new teachers. CCCOE’s Induction program is designed to serve a very broad range of teachers, from kindergarten through twelfth grade in both private and public schools. Respectfully, CCCOE’s generalized Induction program is not adequately meeting the professional needs of our secondary teachers (9-12). Over the last four years on average 17% of AUHSD new hires have required Induction (see data AUHSD hiring data below). Most Induction candidates have earned their preliminary credential via an asynchronous or hybrid credential program or through an intern program. While these aforementioned programs can sometimes adequately train novice secondary teachers, AUHSD has found that the majority of these teachers are increasingly lacking in the foundational pedagogical knowledge and instructional skills that are typically associated with having earned a Preliminary Single Subject Credential or a Preliminary Education Specialist Credential. AUHSD, on average, over the last few years has failed to retain 30% of its new hires (see data AUHSD hiring data below). AUHSD believes that sponsoring an Induction program for secondary teachers will positively impact retention rates. Moreover, projected retirements will bring more novice teachers to AUHSD over the next 5 to 7 years, with an average of 13 teachers a year. To prepare, the District must continue to improve upon our current onboarding process, which includes adding our own Induction program (see data table provided below that demonstrates AUHSD’s future need analysis for a Teacher Induction Program).

As explained in Criterion 11 of the Stage II Eligibility Requirements, AUHSD has been providing a year long on-boarding program for new hires since 2022.. An AUHSD sponsored Induction program will ensure consistency in the quality of professional trained mentor support provided to all new teachers in the broader on-boarding initiative. AUHSD’s Induction Program will be in the Department of Educational Services, which is overseen by the Associate Superintendent of Education Services and facilitated by the New Teacher Coordinator. Critical to this effective support is an Induction program tailored to meet the unique needs of secondary educators.

AUHSD Statement of Assurance signed by Unit Head, Superintendent, John T. Nickerson, Ed. D.