DSC Insights

Fall 2020

Message From the Director

Greetings from the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE)! I would like to thank every one of you for the amazing communication with our office and with your teachers. We are seeing anywhere between 30 and 50 candidates at our monthly advisement meetings. They are often well-informed, and their questions are typically unique, which tells us they are getting the information they need from their districts.

This continuous communication removes barriers to the credentialing process, which allows teachers to focus on their instruction and implement best practices gained through the coursework.

As always, we welcome your feedback so we can continue providing a high-quality program that prepares teachers for their very important role in students’ lives.

Sheiveh Jones, Ed.D.

Director, Teacher Effectiveness and Preparation

Mentor Training for CTE, Adult Ed, and Special Subjects

In response to the multiple models of teaching within schools, we have added a module within the mentor training that focuses on supporting teachers with distance learning. This module includes topics that support mentors in working with candidates in a remote environment, such as:

Mentoring remotely
Flexible and effective support
Social and emotional learning
Examples of effective distance learning, including instructional strategies, online tools, and student work

Program Updates

We are now in full swing with online recommendations for career technical education (CTE) credentials. As we continue with this new process, it's important to note that the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) has a 90-day window for candidates to complete their application process online. At the conclusion of the 90 days, the CTC will cancel all incomplete applications, requiring the recommending agency to make another credential recommendation.

Effective Oct. 1, the SDCOE designated subjects program will charge a $60 re-recommend fee if an application is cancelled.

This new process has been updated in the Designated Subjects Program Handbook and will be communicated during the candidate, credential analyst, and administration advisory meetings.

Upcoming Virtual Meetings

Designated Subjects Consortium Advisory Meetings

Advisory meetings provide opportunities for districts to receive updates, get clarification on requirements, and provide SDCOE with feedback that continues to shape how we serve candidates. Advisory meetings are scheduled from 9 to 10 a.m. via this Zoom link on:

Dec. 3
March 4
June 10

If you would like for us to include specific topics on the agenda, please let us know by emailing [email protected]. This is a great opportunity to connect with other districts about designated subjects.

Credential Technician/Analyst Meetings

Calipso Barrera Gomez, credential technician for the Designated Subjects Consortium, will be hosting meetings via this Zoom link to answer specific questions you may have and provide updates about the credentialing process for designated subjects. These meetings are scheduled for the third Thursday of every other month, beginning in August, from 10 to 11 a.m.

Oct. 15 (*meeting will be from 1 to 2 p.m. for the October meeting only)
Dec. 17
Feb. 18
April 15
June 20

Candidate Advisement

Our team has been hosting monthly candidate advisement meetings/office hours via this Zoom link, and the turnout has been fantastic! We have had upwards of 50 participants. The purpose of these meetings is to answer any questions candidates may have about program requirements. These meetings are scheduled for the first Tuesday of every month from 3 to 3:45 p.m.

Candidate Handbook

Please feel free to refer candidates to the Designated Subjects Program Handbook as well as the candidate advisement meetings the first Tuesday of every month, should they have program-specific questions. The entire team is available to answer questions, clarify expectations, and provide resources.

Teacher Effectiveness and Preparation

SDCOE’s Designated Subjects Consortium is housed within the Teacher Effectiveness and Preparation department. We offer many other programs and services for pre-service and fully credentialed teachers. These programs are all online and offered statewide:

Added Authorizations in Special Education (autism, deaf-blind, early childhood, emotional disturbance, orthopedic impairment, traumatic brain injury)
CBEST Preparation
CSET Preparation (English, math, multiple subjects, social science, science. Physical education coming soon)
Certificate in Inclusive School Practices
Education Effectiveness and Evaluation (certificated and classified)
Mentor Teacher Training
NEW! Navigating Evaluation During Distance Learning
NEW! Peer Assistance and Review training
FREE RICA preparation
Special Education Intern Program (mild/moderate, moderate/severe, early childhood special education)
Substitute Teacher Training
Teacher Induction
Temporary Permit for Statutory Leave