Frequently Asked Questions

To be eligible for California Teacher Induction, you must:

• hold a valid California Preliminary credential

• be currently employed as a teacher by a California school district, charter school, or private school

• have a TK-12 grade teaching assignment for your credential area

What is Induction?  

Induction is a key component of California’s Learning to Teach System, and provides a two-year, individualized, job-embedded system of mentoring, support and professional learning to support every teacher in their first two years in the profession.  The overarching goal of the Induction Program is to prepare teachers to address the academic and social needs of all students, allowing each student to meet or exceed academic content standards. Teacher Candidates focus on strategies for working with different student populations and on instructional practices for differentiating instruction to meet the varied needs within the classroom. The program is designed to support teachers in meeting each standard of the California Standards for the Teaching Profession.

Completion of an Induction program fulfills the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) and the California Department of Education (CDE) requirement for the California Clear Multiple Subject, Single Subject, and Education Specialist Credentials.  

As outlined in SB2042, Induction is the main pathway to a Clear Credential. Created by SB1422 in 1992, the Induction Program was established based on research gathered from the California New Teacher Project. This research identified the need to provide participating teachers with focused induction support that would be at a sufficient level of intensity to make a difference in the performance, retention, and satisfaction of the participating teachers.

Who is eligible for Induction?

Upon hire, teachers with Preliminary Credentials will be informed and advised of their obligation to participate in and complete a state-approved Teacher Induction Program within five years of obtaining their Preliminary Credential. Participation in Gateway Induction is not a condition of employment but rather is offered as a support to teachers interested in being recommended for a Professional Clear Credential. District teachers may choose alternative methods to clear their credential.  The Gateway Induction Program will be offered to teachers who possess:

• A Bachelor’s Degree

• A California Preliminary Credential listing Induction as a requirement, including:

  • Single Subject

  • Multiple Subject; and/or

  • Education Specialist - MM or MS

• Out-of-State credentials and fewer than two years of teaching experience

Once you have submitted your application and supporting documentation, our Induction Program Director will contact you about next steps for finalizing your program enrollment. 

Our 2023-2024 program costs are:

• Year 1: $2,300

• Year 2: $2,300

• Early Completion Option: $2,800

If you have at least two fuill years of credentialed teaching experience, you may qualify for the Early Completion Option (ECO). In our program orientation session, we will cover the specifics of and application process for ECO .

The Gateway Induction Program aims to prepare California K-12 teachers to address the academic and social needs of all students through a program dedicated to reflection and equity-centered teaching practice. Induction teacher candidates engage in ongoing cycles of inquiry, where they explore and enact differentiated instructional practices strategies for varying student populations and needs. The program design guides teachers in progressing toward mastery for each standard of the CSTP. 

Gateway Induction's program design incorporates adult learning theory and emphasizes self-reflection as a foundation for teacher learning and growth. Each teacher candidate is paired with a veteran teacher mentor who collaborates with and supports the teacher through an Individualized Learning Plan and a series of inquiry cycles.