Recruit classified school employees into teacher credentialing with braided funds plus individualized financial and non-financial supports¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · 1 claim (1 for) · 1 study (1 qualitative), q2 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 1 claim rests on one study

Description¶

The Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program addresses teacher shortages by supporting credentialing of classified staff. The recommended strategy lets 'interested district classified staff, such as paraprofessionals, bus drivers, tutors, and custodial staff' earn teaching credentials while continuing to serve their district as teachers. Beyond grant funding, the brief advises providing 'individualized non-financial support (e.g., test preparation, mentoring, cohort models),' sharing information on participants' supports with program managers and IHE liaisons for stronger strategic planning, and connecting with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing's efforts to address inequitable barriers to passing licensure exams.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Participants need both grant funding and individualized non-financial supports such as test preparation, mentoring, and cohort models

Constraints¶

• Applies to California classified school employees pursuing teaching credentials through this state program

Target Learners¶

• Classified school employees, including paraprofessionals, bus drivers, tutors, and custodial staff

Target Learning Goals¶

• Earning teaching credentials and transitioning to classroom teaching roles within the district

Claims¶

• District leaders attribute limited pools of fully credentialed applicants to licensure testing requirements and inadequate financial aid for teacher preparation [+W]

Related Strategies¶

• Use Teacher Residency Grant Program funds, braided with other sources, to recruit and retain a diverse teaching workforce
• Develop high-retention pathways — Grow Your Own programs and teacher residencies — to build and diversify local teacher supply
• Offer targeted service scholarships, loan forgiveness, and 1-year postbaccalaureate residency programs to rapidly expand the supply of well-prepared teachers in shortage fields and locations
• Deploy service scholarships, loan forgiveness, and teacher residencies to staff high-need fields and schools
• Build high-retention, supportive pathways into teaching for candidates of color
• Expand transitional kindergarten and preschool by braiding UPK funds with hiring, culturally responsive curriculum, and community college partnerships

Examples¶

• California Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program

Key Sources¶

• Region 15 Comprehensive Center at WestEd. (2022). Braiding Funds to Support an Effective and Diverse Educator Workforce. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED633297