Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program

The Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program is a grant funded initiative set up to address California’s teacher shortage in S.T.E.M., special education, bilingual education, and transitional kindergarten. ​This program aims to support local education agencies ​by recruit​ing classified school employees into teaching careers and support​ing their​ journey through undergraduate education, professional teacher preparation, and certification as credentialed California teachers. 

Of the districts within Fresno County which were awarded the five year grant, both Madera and Dinuba Unified work in collaboration with Community Based Learning. These districts receive state funds to recruit classified staff from their own communities and reconnect them with higher education by enrolling at Fresno State. Once enrolled, they are provided support and financial assistance for tuition, fees, books, and exam costs. In partnership with Community Based Learning, the selected classified employees receive individualized professional development and direction to assist with undergraduate degree completion and the transition to the teaching credential program of their choice.