Questions and answers on Administrator Training
for fiscal year 2008-2009
Quicklinks
Budget Questions
Note: Please refer to the Fiscal Issues Relating to Budget Reductions and Flexibility Provisions guidance letter for information on provisions that apply to all programs. The letter covers such matters as the public hearing requirement, base year funding provisions, and how funding reductions will be calculated.
In addition, local educational agencies (LEAs) that are in Year 3 or beyond of Program Improvement should review the Program Improvement frequently asked questions (available later). Certain flexibility provisions will have a different impact on those LEAs.
- Are there conditions placed upon LEAs seeking to utilize the flexibility provision of SBX3 4?
Per SBX3 4 Section 15, Education Code Section 42605(c)(2), “As a condition of receipt of funds the governing board of the school district or board of the county office of education, as appropriate, at a regularly scheduled open public hearing shall take testimony from the public, discuss, and approve or disapprove the proposed use of funding.” No other conditions are placed on the use of flexibility.
- How will AB 430 funding be disbursed for 2008-09 and 2009-10?
LEAs that submitted applications during 2008-09 will receive $3,000 per administrator. Those same LEAs that received state funds in 2008-09 will receive the same amount—less the calculated reduction—in 2009-10. LEAs receiving state funds in 2008-09 will not be required to reapply for funding in 2009-10.
- My LEA did not submit an application in 2008-09. Does this mean my LEA will not be eligible to apply and receive funds for AB 430 professional development in 2009-10?
The Administrator Training Program (ATP) receives federal and state funds. The federal funds are not included in the flexibility provision. Therefore, the federal funds will be available in 2009-10 to support LEAs and private schools that apply for AB 430 professional development. A notice will be sent to all LEAs indicating when the application period is open for 2009-10.
- Will AB 430 continue to be a pathway to receiving the Tier II administrative services credential?
Yes. State administrative credentialing requirements remain in place. Administrators may receive their Tier II administrative services credential by completing 80 hours of AB 430 professional development with a State Board of Education (SBE)-approved AB 430 provider and completing 80 hours of practicum. The administrator will receive a Certificate of Completion from the California Department of Education and may submit it to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) to receive a Tier II administrative services credential. The administrator should contact the CTC for further advice on administrative credentials.
- Can an individual continue to attend AB 430 professional development training to earn a Tier II administrative services credential?
Yes. An administrator may attend AB 430 professional development training to earn his or her Tier II administrative services credential. Attendance at all three modules and 80 hours of practicum will fulfill this requirement. The individual should contact the CTC for further advice on administrative credentials.
- Are SBE-approved AB 430 professional development providers still required to submit hours for their participants on the Management System for Administrator Training (MSfAT)?
Yes. SBE-approved AB 430 professional development providers are still required to submit hours for their participants on the MSfAT.
- If the LEA has already contracted with a SBE-approved AB 430 professional development provider to provide training, will the LEA be bound to the contract?
Nothing in this statute alters any existing contract or bargaining agreements that the LEA may have in place. An LEA should look to the terms of these contracts and agreements and speak with local counsel for additional information.
- If an LEA participates in AB 430 professional development, is it required to contract with an AB 430 SBE-approved provider for those services?
An LEA is required to contract with an AB 430 SBE-approved provider that uses an approved AB 430 curriculum only if the administrator is completing AB 430 for the Tier II credential. This would apply to all three modules.
- Will the AB 430 professional development review process continue? May an agency continue to submit AB 430 curriculum for approval by the SBE?
Yes. The AB 430 review process will continue and both curriculum and professional development providers will continue to be approved by the SBE.
- Are LEAs that participate in AB 430 professional development still required to provide matching funds of $1,000 per administrator?
No. LEAs exercising flexibility will be deemed to be in compliance with the AB 430 program and funding requirements contained in statutory, regulatory, and provisional language.
Questions: Fiscal Policy | FLEX@cde.ca.gov
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The CDE's Administrator Training FAQ's: http://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/r12/atp08faqs.asp
Participant Eligibility
- Who may participate in the Administrator Training Program?
Under the law, “school site administrator” means a person employed on a full-time or a part-time basis as a principal or a vice principal at a public school in which kindergarten or any of grades one through twelve, inclusive, are taught.
- Is it mandatory for all principals to participate?
No. The Administrator Training Program is an incentive program. Local educational agency (LEA) participation is voluntary. Exception: Principals of school sites awarded High Priority Schools and Reading First grant funds must participate in the Principal Training Program, as well as School Assistance Intervention Team schools (SAIT). This is a requirement of the High Priority Schools and Reading First grants (pending state budget approval and subject to change).
- Is the Administrator Training Program available to individuals not eligible for Administrator Training funding?
Yes, although the Administer Training Program funding may only be used for school site principals and vice principals, individuals who are not eligible for this grant funding (i.e., county, district, special education, and summer school coordinators) may choose to pay for the training themselves, or districts may pay for the training with Title II or other funding sources.
- May administrators from non-participating districts attend Administrator Training Program training?
Yes, school site administrators may attend independently. They should contact their local county offices for details.
- Are teachers on special assignment eligible to participate?
The Administrator Training Program is designed for administrators who currently hold principal or vice principal positions.
- Who has priority to train in the Administrator Training Program?
It is the intent of the Legislature that an LEA give highest priority to training administrators assigned to, and practicing in, low-performing, or hard-to-staff schools.
- As the principal of a private school that holds a private school affidavit, am I eligible as the principal of this school to receive grant funding to attend the administrator training?
Administrator Training funding is available for K-12 Public Schools only. You are welcome to enroll in the course for your own professional development; however, you will have to use other funds.
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Funding
- How do LEAs apply for funding?
Applications are accepted online through the Management System for Administrator Training (MSfAT) (Outside Source) system.
- What is the cost to attend the Administrator Training Program?
The cost of the training varies throughout the state. Individuals seeking further information are encouraged to contact the State Board of Education (SBE)-approved Provider. A list of Training Providers is available through MSfAT (Outside Source).
- What are the payment benchmarks?
The Administrator Training Program is a grant award program. The first installment of $1,500 per participant will be made when the grant is awarded. The final $1,500 installment will be made upon completion of all the requirements of the program (i.e. 80 hours of training, 80 hours of practicum, online survey, all other requirements outlined in the grant award assurances).
- How may we use our grant funds?
Funding is provided for administrative training. It is the responsibility of the LEA to negotiate a contract with an approved training provider, based on services to be provided. Remaining funds may be used at the discretion of the LEA to assist in the success of the training program (i.e., stipends, practicum support services).
- May an LEA apply online now for an administrator to be named later?
No, you are required to enter the person’s name, school site, and month/date of birth to begin the funding process.
- What is the amount of funding awarded for each administrator?
Incentive funding amounts from the state are $3,000 per school site administrator. For each $3,000 that is received, a participating LEA must provide $1,000 in matching funds (not in-kind) that must be used for costs associated with the training. For example, the matching funds may pay for coaches, additional training in math and/or reading, or conferences that are aligned with Modules one, two, or three that further or expand their knowledge.
- What may be used as “matching funds?”
Any combination of local, federal, or private resources or contributions may be used for the LEA’s match. In-kind resources or in-kind contributions may not be used for the match.
- Can potential participants use other funding for the Administrator Training Program?
Yes. Your district may choose to fund non-school site administrators through other funding sources, but they may not use Administrator Training Program incentive funds.
- Are LEAs allowed to charge an indirect cost rate?
You may charge an indirect cost rate, but it cannot exceed the California Department of Education (CDE)-approved rate applicable to the year of expenditure. Indirect cost rates are updated annually based upon data submitted by LEAs on the J-380 Annual Program Cost Data and Standardized Account Code Structure (SACS) reports.
- Is carry over allowed?
The Administrator Training Program (AB 430) is a grant award. The grant is for a two-year period. The grant starts on the date of the grant award notification letter and ends two years from that date. There is no carry over past the two-year grant award.
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Training Providers
- How does an LEA find providers?
A listing of SBE-approved Training Providers is located at the MSfAT (Outside Source) Web site.
- How can we get more information about a provider and the curriculum offered?
LEAs are encouraged to contact potential providers and request information about curriculum and services offered. Contact names and phone numbers can be found on the MSfAT (Outside Source) Web site, managed by the San Joaquin County Office of Education. If you have a particular provider in mind that is not listed, and have questions regarding approval status, please contact Ron Taylor at 916-323-4819 or rtaylor@cde.ca.gov.
- May an LEA have more than one provider?
Yes. LEAs are encouraged to research and find the provider that best fits their administrators’ needs. Elementary administrators, for example, should attend different training for Module 1 than high school administrators. Two providers may be necessary.
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Training Institutes and Practicum
- What is the purpose of the training?
To develop administrators who are effective instructional leaders. Specifically, the training program for content areas 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 will build skills and capacity necessary to: 1) Establish and communicate state and district visions and goals for student focused instructional improvement; 2) Create awareness and familiarity with state standards for all instructional team members and core subjects; 3) Guide the full implementation of approved instructional program texts and materials; 4) Direct and support proven staff training and professional development activities for uniform instruction and material use; 5) Manage data and assessment for the purpose of guiding teacher decisions regarding student interventions and school site instructional practices; and 6) Fully utilize technology and fiscal and human resources for the purpose of student academic success.
- How much time is required of participants in the institute and practicum?
Participants are required to attend a total of 160 hours of training. Module 1 participants must attend a minimum of 40 hours of institute training and 40 hours of practicum. Module 2 participants must attend a minimum of 15 institute hours. Module 3 participants must also attend a minimum of 15 institute hours. The practicum hours for Modules 2 and 3 vary by training provider. In order to receive credit for all three modules, you must complete a total of 160 hours of training.
- When and where are training institutes held?
Administrator Training institutes are held statewide and throughout the year. Individuals seeking further information are encouraged to contact SBE-approved Training Providers. A list of approved Training Providers is available on the MSfAT Web site (Outside Source).
- Who monitors and confirms the institute and practicum training hours?
The monitoring and the confirmation of hours is the responsibility of both the LEA and the training provider(s). The provider shall enter the training hours within 10 days of the completion of the Institute and Follow-up Practicum for each of the three training modules.
- What happens if a participant misses all or parts of the training?
If the administrator misses all or parts of the training, they may make arrangements with the training provider to make-up the training hours. If the administrator fails to complete the training, the LEA must make arrangements to pay back the CDE any funds received for that administrator. Contact Patty Stevens at pstevens@cde.ca.gov for details.
- How much does the training cost?
The cost of the training varies throughout the state. Individuals seeking further information are encouraged to contact an SBE-approved Provider. The cost is negotiated between the individual LEA and the training provider. A list of approved Training Providers is available on the MSfAT Web site (Outside Source).
- How long does a participant have to complete the training?
Training programs offered pursuant to subdivision (a) of Education Code Section 44511 must have a duration of no fewer than 80 hours in the institute and shall involve a minimum of 80 hours of intensive individualized support and professional development. The additional 80 hours of individualized support and professional development must be completed within a period of up to two years. The date of the Grant Award Notification Letter starts the two year timeline.
- What happens if administrators do not complete the full 160-hour institute training?
If it is determined, pursuant to a program audit, that a participating LEA failed to provide training as described in subdivision (a) of Section 44511 and subdivision (c) of Section 44512 to all school administrators who received funding, the Superintendent of Public Instruction shall withhold from the LEA’s next monthly principal apportionment three thousand dollars ($3,000) for each administrator who did not receive the training.
- Will the Administrator Training Program fulfill the requirements for Tier II?
Yes. As per January 29, 2003, Coded Correspondence 03-002, from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) (Outside Source), began authorizing the completion of an SBE-approved Administrator Training Program as one of the options for earning the Professional Administrative Services Credential. Two years of site experience are required. An administrator may sign up for the Administrator Training Program with one year of site experience, but they must have completed their second year of site experience prior to applying to the CTC for their credential.
- Should superintendents attend this training?
The program is designed for administrators who currently hold principal or vice principal positions. It would be appropriate for superintendents/principals to participate as well.
- What should the Module 1 practicum focus be?
The focus of the Module 1 training and practicum continues to be the requirements stipulated in the Module 1 criteria.
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Modules
- How do we find an appropriate Module 1 provider for our high school administrators?
Module 1 providers for high schools are identified as approved in one or more of the four core academic subject areas: English/language arts, mathematics, science, and social science. Approval was based on the submission of curriculum using, at least, one example of instructional materials from the subject area. Locate a training provider on the MSfAT Web site (Outside Source) to review what instructional materials that provider was approved for. When negotiating a contract with a Module 1 provider for high school administrators, it is important that the LEA is confident that the provider can deliver training using the instructional materials adopted by the local board.
- Should Module 1 be taught before Modules 2 or Module 3?
It is recommended that the modules be taken order, but not required. They should not be taught in isolation. Training providers of each module should complement and integrate skills learned throughout the training.
- How many Modules are there in the Administrator Training Program?
There are three Modules, which are referred to as:
Module 1: Leadership and Support of Student Instructional Programs;
Module 2: Leadership and Management for Instructional Improvement; and
Module 3: Instructional Technology to Improve Pupil Performance
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Management System for Administrator Training (MSfAT)
- How does an approved training provider access the Management System for Administrator Training?
Each approved Training Provider was initially mailed a user name and password to access the MSfAT (Outside Source) Web site.
- Who is responsible for logging in the participant hours of completion?
The approved Training Provider contact person has the authority to designate who has access to the MSfAT (Outside Source) as a user. Approved Training Providers may log in hours for each participant at any time. LEA payments for the Administrator Training Program is dependent on the number of hours each participant has completed, so it may be in the provider’s best interest to log in hours as they are completed.
- Who do I contact if I forgot my user name and password?
To obtain your user name and password, contact Patty Stevens at 916-323-5838 or pstevens@cde.ca.gov.
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Mathematics and Reading Professional Development
(AB 466)
- Do hours spent in Mathematics and Reading Professional Development (SB 472) training count towards Module 1 practicum of the Administrator Training Program?
Yes. If a principal or assistant principal attends SB 472 training with an SBE-approved Training Provider, the hours may count towards the Module 1 practicum. This should be negotiated in advance with the LEA. Only approved SB 472 Training Providers may log those hours.
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Tier ll
- Does the Administrator Training Program qualify for Tier II?
Yes. The CTC (Outside Source) began authorizing the completion of an SBE-approved Administrator Training Program as one of the options for earning the Professional Administrative Services Credential. Two years of site experience are required. An administrator may sign up with one year of site experience, but they must complete their second year of site experience prior to applying to the CTC for their credential.
- Where can participants find more information on the CCTC credential requirements?
For more information regarding the options for earning a Preliminary Administrative Services Credential and the Professional Clear Administrative Services Credential, and/or the coded correspondence detailing the option to use the Administrator Training Program, contact the CTC (Outside Source).
- How does a participant verify completion of the Administrator Training Program for their Tier II?
Participants would need to: 1) Complete the CTC application form 41-4 (PDF; Outside Source); 2) Send a copy of the Administrator Training Program verification certificate; 3) Obtain verification of two years experience as an administrator (district provides) while processing the preliminary credential; and 4) Pay the application fee.
- How will the CTC know that I have completed Modules 1, 2 and 3?
Your district and training provider are jointly responsible for verifying the completion of your training modules. Your superintendent, or designee, and the training provider are responsible for signing off on the certificates of completion. Module 1 participants must attend a 40-hour institute and 40 hours of practicum. Module 2 participants must attend a minimum of 15 institute hours. Module 3 participants must also attend a minimum of 15 institute hours. The practicum hours for Modules 2 and 3 vary by training provider. In order to receive credit for all three modules, you must complete a total of 160 hours of training.
- Where can the providers obtain the certificates?
The CDE has designed the certificate, which is available to training providers through the MSfAT Web site (Outside Source).
- May a district office, county or special education administrator with Tier 1 participate in the Administrator Training Program to complete Tier II requirements?
Yes, an individual may choose to participate in Administrator Training Program, but they may not use Principal Training Program incentive funding to pay for the training. The district office may choose to use other funding sources or the individual may choose to pay for the training independently.
- May an administrator from a non-participating district attend the Administrator Training Program?
Yes, a school site administrator may participate independently. They may choose their own provider from the MSfAT Web site (Outside Source).
- Who has priority to train in the Administrator Training Program?
First priority goes to administrators funded from Administrator Training Program sites who work: 1) In Low Performing schools; 2) In High Priority and Reading First sites; and 3) Administrators who are independently funding their own training, or district office personnel who have been funded by their districts.
- May a Administrator Training Program Trainer get their Tier II clearance?
Yes, in addition to their training responsibilities, a Principal Training Program Trainer may also qualify for Tier II if they complete the full 160-hour training.
- If a new administrator is enrolled in a Tier II program at a University, may that training be completed in lieu of the Administrator Training Program (AB 430)? The goals of both programs look similar.
No. The Legislature passed the Administrator Training Program with certain mandates and the State Board of Education approved the criteria and guidelines that align with those mandates. The fact that participants can clear their Tier II is only an added benefit offered by the CTC. If the individual is required to complete Administrator Training because of a High Priority grant or the SAIT process, he/she still needs to follow through with that requirement. A university Tier II program does not act in lieu of the Administrator Training Program.
- Does someone have to have Tier I completed before he/she starts Administrator Training Program training for his/her Tier II?
Participants must have served one year in the position before he/she can participate in the Administrator Training Program. Also, the participant must have completed his/her Tier 1 before he/she can be eligible for any Tier II program. The CDE does not handle the Tier II program portion. It is simply an added benefit of the program offered by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Questions: Ellen Jensen | ejensen@cde.ca.gov | 916-323-4711
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