ACSA’s Clear Administrative Services Credential Program has been accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing’s Committee on Accreditation. Citing positive testimonials and information gathered from a site visit earlier this year, the accreditation team unanimously recommended that the committee accredit ACSA’s program during its May 2020 meeting. “Having virtually visited the program and interacted with numerous stakeholders, it is apparent that ACSA’s Clear Administrative Services Credential Program is highly valued by all its stakeholders,” said Lisa Tiwater, accreditation team leader. “Candidates and completers reported that they experienced a powerful job-embedded program facilitated and supported by incredible coaches.” All credential programs that are accredited through the CTC participate in a seven-year accreditation cycle to examine alignment with standards and program effectiveness. ACSA’s program, which has 19 affiliate programs throughout the state that serve around 500 candidates annually, was found to meet all five common standards:

The committee’s accreditation team conducted more than 200 interviews with stakeholders, including candidates, completers, coaches and Local Program Coordinators. “All stakeholders reported that coaches are an integral component in the candidates’ acquisition and mastery of the California Professional Standards for Education Leaders,” according to the site team report. “Leadership coaches reported that they work side-by-side with candidates at the school site while on the job and are available via email, phone and face to face as well. One candidate stated that the biggest plus of the program was having a thought partner when making decisions, as each time they met there was something relevant in the coach’s advice and support throughout the entire process.” The site visit occurred March 23-25, during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and just days after Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stay-at-home order.  “This unprecedented situation impacted the stakeholders we needed to interact with, yet they provided time and focus to this accreditation process and gave great praise to their coaches and to the program leadership for supporting them with guidance as these new administrators navigated site closures, technology distribution, and transitions to distance learning,” Tiwater said. “It was truly amazing.” Although it had planned to travel to ACSA’s Sacramento offices and complete interviews with Local Program Coordinators via video call, the site visit team worked with ACSA Educational Services Executive Tracy Robinson to quickly reschedule the meeting venue and format to conduct all interviews via web conferencing, with assistance from ACSA’s Information Technology department.  “In five days time, they turned it around and accomplished an all-online, technology-based site visit,” said Gay Roby, CTC staff member on the accreditation team. “I would like to pause a moment to comment on ACSA’s superb organization and skill in accomplishing this.” ACSA’s Clear Administrative Services Credential Program is now accepting applications for the fall cohort. Find more information, including a list of Local Program Coordinators, at

acsa.org/credentialing

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