Often new administrators start the job after the school year has begun and are not eligible to join ACSA’s program until after the deadline for the program’s fall cohort. ACSA makes it possible for them to start the program in January as part of the Clear Administrative Credential Program’s winter cohort. This option allows candidates who were hired after the deadline to start benefiting from induction coaching right away instead of waiting 10 to 12 months to begin their program.

ACSA’s Clear Administrative Credential Program pairs new administrators with highly trained ACSA Leadership Coaches who provide one-on-one guidance and support. Candidates are matched with coaches in their area who understand their specific leadership role. Learning is personalized and integrated with school and district goals.

ACSA’s innovative induction program is considered the gold standard throughout the state. The heart of the program is job-embedded coaching provided by certified ACSA Leadership Coaches who become trusted friends and confidants throughout the two-year induction period. The induction program design and implementation provide support and guidance grounded in the California Professional Standards for Education Leaders in the three designated areas, chronicled in the Individual Induction Plan: coaching, professional development and assessment.

ACSA Credential and Coaching Services Director Tamerin Tooker said one of the strengths of ACSA’s program is that professional development for participants is determined by the coach and the candidate based on the candidate’s needs.

“Professional development for participants can be through courses, district workshops, ACSA seminars and workshops, book studies, job shadowing. Every participant selects different activities based on an assessment of their mastery of the CPSELs,” Tooker said. “One-on-one coaching is job embedded and personalized to each candidate’s specific needs.”