Here is an overview of what candidates and mentors will be working on during the month of September:

• Once a match is made, mentors and candidates should start meeting weekly for a minimum of 60 minutes. These meetings should primarily be face to face and for a continuous 60 minutes (they are not meant to be just quick check-ins, but a time for candidates to get support with "just in time" challenges as well as support with their cycle of inquiry Individual Learning Plan).

• New candidates will be completing their initial self-assessment of the CSTP. This document is called the Candidate Competency Report (CCR) and is completed 3 times during the program -Fall of 1st year, end of Spring of 1st year, end of Spring of 2nd year. This tracks their growth in the CSTP across the program. Year 2 candidates will be reviewing their Spring entry from last year. These scores will help the candidate to select a standard they need growth in and will guide the development of their growth goal.

For Year 1 Candidates who meet the "experienced and exceptional" definition as detailed in the Induction Handbook, there will be an information meeting to discuss the application and to answer any questions candidates may have. Mentors are also invited to attend if one of their candidates intends to apply. Applications are due in December, and decision letters are sent out to candidates in early January. TCSJ will email partners directly with the names of the candidates who have qualified for early completion along with the requirements for them to complete this option successfully.

• Candidates must hold one of the following valid credentials:

  • California General Education Single Subject or Multiple Subject Preliminary Credential 

  • California Education Specialist Preliminary Credential or an Education Specialist Level I Credential 

  • Out-of-state or out-of-country credential and need induction to clear their California credential

• Candidates must have a minimum of two full years of previous verifiable teaching experience in a P-12 setting, as the teacher of record on the teaching credential granted by their state or country. Completion of student-teaching, a year-long residency program, or a long-term substitute position does not qualify as part of the two-year teaching experience requirement. 

• Candidates must teach in a P – 12 setting with the same group of students on a daily or weekly basis. Candidates must teach in a setting that aligns with the credential to be cleared. 

• Candidates must submit all induction requirements on time from the beginning of their enrollment in the induction program.

• Candidates must teach in a setting that allows observation of lessons for the candidate’s use in applying for the Early Completion Option and in developing and implementing the Individual Learning Plan (ILP). 

• Candidates must have met or exemplified the CSTP standards in their previous two years of teacher evaluations with an overall Satisfactory or Exemplary rating (submission of all evaluation documents will be required in the ECO application). Not meeting or partially meeting the CSTP standards within the previous two years of teacher evaluation with an overall Needs Improvement or Unsatisfactory rating within the teacher evaluations will disqualify a candidate from applying for ECO. 

• Candidates must have scored a minimum of 3 (applying) in all CSTP on their fall CCR to apply

• Candidates must have their current site (evaluating) administrator and their Induction mentor’s approval. Without the approval of the site evaluating administrator and mentor, candidates may not apply for the Early Completion Option.

• Candidates must complete and link all aspects of the ECO application, including mentor observation notes, lesson plans, and reflection. Observation notes must align and demonstrate exemplary, student-centered curriculum, and instruction.

• Upon verification that the Eligibility Criteria are met, candidates submit the following:

  • A formal written lesson plan using the TCSJ Lesson Plan, including at least one assessment. (The lesson plan template is provided on Canvas.)

  • Mentor observation notes of the lesson on the TCSJ Lesson Plan.

  • Detailed ECO Lesson Reflection.

• Candidates must complete and link all aspects of the ECO application, including mentor observation notes. Lesson plans, reflection, and observation notes must align and demonstrate exemplary curriculum and instruction.

• Candidates must have all testing renewal requirements met by the final ECO submission day in May order to apply for ECO.

• Candidates must have minimum scores of applying (3) for each CSTP element on their Candidate Competency Record (CCR) at the time of application. 

• Once a candidate is accepted into ECO, they will be notified via TCSJ email and will be required to sign, submit, and abide by the Early Completion Option Agreements (must be signed and submitted by the given due date).