Purpose
The CA Department of Education, Special Education Division (CDE-SED), in partnership with San Diego State University (SDSU) College of Education, SDSU Interwork Institute (SDSU-II), and the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE), proposes ApprenticED CA, a Registered Educator Apprenticeship aligned with IDEA §§612(a)(14), 635(a)(8), and 635(a)(9). The project will support 30 apprentices through an earn-and-learn pathway that enables paraprofessionals, instructional assistants, substitute teachers, career changers, and other school personnel to earn special education credentials while employed in high-need LEAs. ApprenticED CA expands CA’s CSPD, aligns with SPDG AP priorities, reduces financial barriers through paid employment and wage progression, and creates a scalable model to strengthen the special education workforce pipeline statewide.
The CDE-SED will provide overall project leadership, oversight, and coordination in partnership with SDSU COE, SDSU-II, and SDCOE. The project is designed to establish and implement a Registered Educator Apprenticeship aligned with CA credentialing requirements, IDEA, and evidence-based Grow Your Own workforce strategies. Key activities include apprenticeship development and registration, CSET preparation, mentor-supported clinical experiences, competency-based coursework, and technical assistance to participating LEAs. Project implementation will be guided by a CQI Steering Committee comprised of educators, administrators, community representatives, and individuals with disabilities. An independent evaluation led by SDSU-II will use ongoing data collection, performance monitoring, implementation fidelity reviews, stakeholder feedback, and continuous improvement cycles to assess participant progress, credential attainment, workforce outcomes, systems change, and scalability, ensuring project goals are achieved and sustained beyond the grant period.
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