Early Completion Option (ECO)

Senate Bill 57 (Scott) provides for an Early Completion Option for Multiple or Single Subject or Education Specialist Participating Teachers.  The Early Completion Option (ECO) allows individuals to complete a commission-approved professional teacher induction program in less than the two years of the established program.   It is equally as rigorous as the two-year program.  Upon successful completion of the induction requirements, candidates are recommended to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) for a Professional Clear Credential. 

Qualifications to Apply for ECO through Ceres Teacher Induction

The Ceres Teacher Induction Program offers an Early Completion Option (ECO) for experienced and exceptional teachers who demonstrate readiness to complete an accelerated induction pathway.

To qualify for consideration, candidates must:

• Be enrolled in the Ceres Teacher Induction Program.

• Have completed a minimum of two years of qualifying teaching experience as the teacher of record in the same district—either Ceres Unified School District (CUSD) or Riverbank Unified School District (RUSD)—prior to entering induction. Qualifying experience may include teaching completed while serving under an intern credential.

• Successfully complete ILP Cycle 1.

• Attend the mandatory ECO informational meeting.

The two years of qualifying teaching experience must be completed entirely within one district. Experience earned in CUSD and RUSD cannot be combined to meet the two-year requirement. Teaching experience earned in other school districts also does not count toward this requirement.

Candidates who meet the initial district teaching experience requirement will be identified at enrollment and contacted by the Induction Program Administrator following successful completion of ILP Cycle 1.

Meeting these qualifications provides candidates with the opportunity to apply for ECO but does not guarantee acceptance. Candidates must complete the formal application process and demonstrate that they meet the program's established criteria for experienced and exceptional teachers.

Application Requirements

• • A written rationale explaining how the candidate meets the criteria for Early Completion.  The letter should reflect on exemplary practice related to the California Standards for the Teaching Profession, professionalism, and commitment to teaching practice.

  • Evidence of preliminary teaching credential (include copy of credential).

  • Documentation of a minimum of two (2) years of qualifying teaching experience as the teacher of record in the same district—either Ceres Unified School District or Riverbank Unified School District—prior to enrolling in induction. 

  • Evidence of exceptional teaching practice during prior professional experience with a minimum of three (3) teacher performance evaluations completed in the prior 18 months, including one by the most recent evaluator.

  • Three (3) current letters of recommendation (within the last six months) from educational administrators who have observed the candidate's teaching.  Letters should address expertise related to the California Standards for the Teaching Profession.

  • A letter from the current Ceres Unified or Riverbank Unified site administrator describing the candidate's teaching assignment and indicating support for participation in the Early Completion Option (ECO).

Once the application and all required supporting documentation have been reviewed and determined to meet the established criteria, the Induction Program Administrator will schedule a classroom observation. Evidence will be collected using the applicable 2024 California Standards for the Teaching Profession and the program's established observation criteria.

Acceptance as an ECO Candidate requires maintenance of exceptional performance and professionalism.  The candidate must meet all deadlines and meetings:  Workshops, component due dates, and related trainings.  If the candidate is unable to continue to demonstrate appropriate placement in the ECO program, the candidate may be withdrawn from ECO and placed into Year 1.

Applying for the Early Completion Option (ECO)

Following successful completion of ILP Cycle 1, candidates who meet the initial eligibility requirements will be contacted by the Induction Program Administrator and invited to attend a mandatory ECO informational meeting.

During this meeting, candidates will receive information about the application process, required documentation, selection criteria, and expectations for successful completion.

Candidates who submit a complete application will be evaluated according to the program's established criteria for experienced and exceptional teachers. Acceptance into ECO is not guaranteed.

Candidates approved for ECO will follow an accelerated three-semester induction pathway while continuing to meet all applicable program requirements.