The one-time investment in educator professional development over the next five years was part of the historic 2021-22 state budget. The educator effectiveness grants target certain high-need areas, such as induction coaching, accelerated learning, trauma-informed practices, positive school climate, programs for English language learners and creating new professional learning networks.

LEAs are required to develop and adopt a plan for spending funds on the professional development of teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals and classified staff. The plan must be heard in a public meeting and adopted by the governing board prior to Dec. 30, 2021.

Funds must be spent by the 2025-26 school year, and LEAs are required to submit annual expenditure data as well as a final expenditure report on or before Sept. 30, 2026. All funds must be returned to the state if the Final Data Report and Expenditure Reports are not submitted on time.

“Ongoing professional development is always important, but especially now,” said ACSA Senior Director of Educational Services Tracy Robinson. “We’ve seen an increase in administrators retiring and with so many new administrators, there needs to be support for them in the field. Research shows that administrators who have job-embedded coaching that includes face-to-face feedback rooted in the California Professional Standards for Education Leaders are more effective as leaders. Administrators are better able to set goals and be intentional about how to reach them with an experienced partner that supports them along the way.”

Robinson said paying for administrators’ induction coaching is a proven strategy many districts use for recruiting and retaining school leaders.

ACSA has many professional development programs that can increase capacity in administrators to achieve district goals in several critical-need areas. Here are just a few examples of offerings LEAs may want to consider when spending their Educator Effectiveness Grant funding over the next five years:

Clear Administrative Credential Program One of the allowable uses of funds is for the coaching and mentoring of staff serving in an instructional setting and beginning administrator induction. ACSA’s Clear Administrative Credential Program is the largest provider of coaching, professional development and assessment for new administrators attaining the Clear Administrative Services Credential. The two-year program relies on a highly trained and experienced leadership coach who supports and guides candidates with individualized, one-on-one coaching to support the work of a new administrator. Visit acsa.org/credentialing for more information.

ACSA Academies ACSA Academies provide a solid foundation of training in the application of leadership and management fundamentals for new or aspiring administrators in 10 leadership specializations. Academies start in August through October and are held on weekends during the school year. Get more information at acsa.org/academies.
Online Learning Center

ACSA’s Online Learning Center offers professional learning topics that may align with LEAs’ goals for improving educator effectiveness. Sessions like Social Emotional Learning Series and Best Practices for Administrators provide specific information administrators need to improve their practice. Best of all, sessions are online and many can be completed whenever it’s convenient for learners. New sessions are added all the time. Visit onlinelearning.acsa.org.

Every Child Counts The Every Child Counts Symposium held each January or February offers the latest information and innovative strategies for serving students. This annual conference presented by ACSA’s Special Education and Student Services Council is particularly effective when multiple members from a district team attend. They’ll find new ideas on universal design for learning, promoting positive school culture, supporting English learners and more. Visit acsa.org/everychildcounts.

Equity ACSA is committed to offering professional development that supports school leaders in helping all student groups fulfill their highest potential. ACSA’s upcoming Equity Institute in April will offer vital time and space for administrators to advance their district’s equity work while trainings on more focused topics (such as gender inclusivity and racial healing) address critical needs. Visit acsa.org/equity.

Principals’ Institutes at UCLA Build your principal pipeline and support new administrators with this weeklong summer training held on the UCLA campus. School site leaders meet in a stimulating and supportive setting to examine crucial school reform topics applicable to their work. The programs offer practitioners invaluable days of study reflection and discourse suited for new, aspiring and experienced principals. Visit acsa.org/ summerprograms.