The regulations for the PK-3 Early Childhood Education ECE Specialist Instruction credential were approved by the Office of Administrative Law on February 7, 2024, and will be effective April 1, 2024. Commission staff is working to update all related information across this site. Please watch this page and the PSD e-News and ECE News for updates. As new PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction credential programs are approved, they will be listed on the Commission’s Approved Institutions and Programs webpage.  Commission’s Approved Institutions and Programs webpage.

Introduction to the PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential

The PK-3 Early Childhood Education (ECE) Specialist Instruction Credential will authorize holders to teach all subjects in a self-contained general education classroom setting and to team teach or to regroup students across classrooms, in preschool through grade three. The PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential is intended to meet the unprecedented need for qualified ECE teachers who have the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to provide developmentally appropriate learning for all young children. The PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential provides a bridge and accelerated pathway for current Multiple Subject Credential holders as well as Child Development Teacher Permit holders with a BA degree to earn the credential and begin serving in Transitional Kindergarten settings. This credential will prepare teachers that represent a diverse workforce that reflects the children and families/guardians they serve in PK-3.  This credential recognizes and values the rich background and extensive experience candidates who come from current and/or prior work in the ECE field bring to their preparation programs. Taken together, these prior work experiences, knowledge and wisdom can provide foundational preparation in child development and early childhood education to support candidates' transition from the Child Development Permit system to earning the PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential and serving as a teacher in a PK-3 ECE classroom setting.

 

PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential Handbook includes the Authorization Statement, Program Standards, and Teaching Performance Expectations (TPEs) 
Clinical Practice Guide for PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential  – includes guidance on all elements of clinical practice, including placement, supervision, equivalency options and more.

PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Program FAQs - UPDATED February 2024

Institutions Seeking to Offer a PK-3 Early Childhood Education (ECE) Specialist Instruction Program

Step-by-step instructions for Commission approved institutions interested in submitting an initial program proposal for the PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction credential are available on the Commission’s Submitting a Proposal for a New Educator Preparation Program in California  webpage for educator preparation programs.

Submitting a PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential Program Proposal 2/3/2023
The following resources are available from the Initial Program Review Webinar describing the process for submitting for a PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential.

Power Point Presentations

No presentations at this time.

Agenda Items

  • August 2022 - Adoption of Authorization and Credential Requirements
  • October 2022 - Adoption of Program Preconditions, Program Standards, and Teaching Performance Expectations (TPEs)
  • April 2023 - Proposed Amendments to Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations Pertaining to the PK-3 Early Childhood Education Specialist Instruction Credential

Recorded Meetings and Webinars

PK-3 Early Childhood Education Specialist Instruction Credential Webinar: Clinical Practice 12/13/2023 
The following resources are available from the PK3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential Webinar: 

PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential Webinar: Literacy Standard and TPE 2/19/2023
The following resources are available from the PK3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential Webinar

PK-3 Credential Math Program Standard Webinar 02/02/23
The following resources are available from the PK-3 Credential Math Program Standard Webinar.

PK-3 Credential Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Program Standard Webinar 02/02/23
The following resources are available from the PK-3 Credential Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Program Standard Webinar.

    Other resources referenced:

    List of Institutions that Received Dyslexia State Grant 
    Pursuant to Assembly Bill 128 (Ch. 21, Stats. 2021), Dyslexia Grants to Preparation Program (Dyslexia Grants)were available on a one-time basis in order to provide competitive awards of up to a maximum of $21,000 for Commission-approved institutions of higher education (IHEs) or local education agencies (LEAs) with Commission-approved preliminary teacher preparation programs to update program curriculum and course offerings to align with the common trunk Teacher Performance Expectation (TPEs), new Education Specialist TPEs, and include pedagogy on dyslexia for both general and special education programs. Click here for a list of institutions that received one or more Dyslexia Grants.

    ECE/IPR Credential Office Hours

    Commission staff have established office hours for the ECE/PK-3 Credential community. Office hours provide an opportunity when ECE and IPR staff will be available to respond to questions, comments, and other informational needs.  

    Please visit the Commission’s Accreditation Technical Assistance page for exact times and Zoom links.

    Contact Commission Staff

    The ece@ctc.ca.gov mailbox is for general questions about the PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential and Child Development Permit preparation programs. 

    For questions about permit requirements, applying for a Child Development Permit, or about teaching credentials, please email credentials@ctc.ca.gov. 

    For questions regarding required elements of and developing a proposal for a PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential please contact the Initial Program Review (IPR) Team at IPR@ctc.ca.gov.


    Updated March 11, 2024