The CACP provides induction coaching to administrators seeking their Clear Administrative Service Credential through three ACSA local programs that serve the areas of Northern California, Southern California and Silicon Valley. But there are also 16 LEA-affiliated programs that serve County Offices of Education, a consortium of multiple LEAs and even single districts. This has allowed these LEA-affiliated programs to customize their offerings to meet local needs. Shasta County Office of Education Director of Instructional Services Kim McKenzie coordinates the COE’s local program, which serves nine counties in Northern California. “Our partnership with ACSA has given us the support needed to serve our large geographic area with very distinct rural needs,” she said. “ACSA has taken the time to listen to our unique leadership needs, given a tremendous amount of support and flexibility to both candidates and coaches to ensure their experience has prepared them to be leaders in education.”   McKenzie noted that many administrators in the north state are in the role of superintendent/principal and can be far from the nearest district or county office. “They often have to know it all very quickly without a lot of support,” she said. “We have to find coaches that have had similar experiences in order to give them authentic coaching situations.” Down in Southern California, Hacienda La Puente USD began its partnership with ACSA to provide coaching in 2015-16. “It is the best way to ensure administrators are receiving quality coaching that aligns with the district’s mission, vision and goals,” said Judy A. Fancher, assistant superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, PreK-12.  While the district had 15 candidates its first year, it currently has six to 10 candidates each year. Fancher said their administrator retention is strong and attributes that in part to CACP. Fancher said working with ACSA relieves the district from responsibilities involved with holding an accreditation while still allowing the flexibility to customize the program. Anaheim Union High School District Director of Human Resources Scott Jensen said ACSA’s Clear Administrative Credential Program is a “perfect fit” for his district, which also offers an in-house preliminary credential through Cal State Fullerton. “With the implementation of these two programs we are able to provide a complete administrative program within the district,” he said. “This is a great advantage as we look to grow our instructional leaders, and provide them opportunity for upward mobility.”     Jensen also appreciates the curriculum and ongoing support for the CACP leadership coaches, who receive two trainings per year to strengthen their coaching practice.  Anaheim also closely aligns the program with its district goals. For example, the culminating project that every candidate is required to complete by the second year is tightly aligned with a district initiative.   Facing high attrition and a remote locale 60 miles northeast of Los Angeles, Palmdale School District partnered with five other school districts and ACSA to create a local program five years ago, said Kathy Wehunt, local program coordinator and chief academic officer at Palmdale SD.  Wehunt said job-embedded coaching is the most well-received part of the CACP.  “Our program is accessible for our candidates and coaches,” she said. “Coaches go to the candidates and coach on-site during the school day. They can walk classrooms, and observe real-life, on-the-job moments, providing opportunities for ‘on the spot’ coaching and debriefing.” Wehunt said this timely and ongoing professional development ultimately develops collaborative school cultures that positively impact student learning. “ACSA is the platinum standard among induction programs,” Wehunt said. “I wish we had this program when I first became an administrator 20 years ago.” For more information about offering clear credential coaching in your district or COE, contact

Tracy Robinson

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