Preliminary Administrative Services
Credential Program
The Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (Bridges to Leadership) is a program to prepare a team of high-potential administrators to working in high priority schools. The focus will be on the continued implementation of a vision and school culture capable of improving student achievement.
Bridges to Leadership has been approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. This non-university based program is composed of training seminars, online learning experiences, and fieldwork.
A coach, trained in Cognitive Coaching, provides monthly coaching sessions for all participants as he/she advances through the program.
Designed With Your Success in Mind
- Develop Leadership Skills through hands-on application.
- Learn how to successfully implement and lead a professional learning community.
- Provide high levels of support to ensure success.
Traditional Face to Face Learning
- Six courses over 18 months. Class sessions are held on Saturdays at Merced County office of Education.
- Participants engage in learning opportunities that are highly collaborative and take a pragmatic approach.
- Our course instructors are highly effective leaders and current practitioners in the field of education.
- Within the next decade
40-50% of the current school administrators in the U.S. will be retiring. Hundreds of positions in administration will be available throughout California.
Online Learning
- Six courses over 15 months.
- Participants engage in learning opportunities that are highly collaborative and take a pragmatic approach.
- Our course instructors are highly effective leaders and current practitioners in the field of education.
- Within the next decade 40-50% of the current school administrators in the U.S. will be retiring. Hundreds of positions in administration will be available throughout California.
Program Phases
Phase 1: Application and Acceptance
Step 1:
- Application including response to question prompts
- Professional resume that includes adjunct and leadership duties
- Letter of interest that includes:
- Interest in participating in the
Bridges to Leadership - PASC
- Description of a motivating professional experience
- Interest in working with a diverse population
- Letter of recommendation from current administrator
- Verification of Employment (VOE PDF Download )
- Valid California Credential - A minimum of
five years of teaching experience or equivalent by the completion of the program.
Step 2:
- Once ALL application documents are received you will receive an email confirmation and information to pay the $100 non-refundable application fee. Upon acceptance into the program the application fee will be applied to the tuition cost.
Step 3:
- Applicants will participate in an interview process with the program director(s). Application components will be assessed on a four point rubric. Upon completion of the interview and analysis of each candidate's application materials those meeting the criteria will be admitted to the
Bridges to Leadership - PASC program.
All candidates will be contacted regarding their acceptance into the Bridges to Leadership Program
- If
CBEST verification is required,
you
will be contacted by our office
- Participation in the program is based on the California Administrator Performance Expectations
(CAPES). Small cohorts will collaboratively explore the theory and application of the standards. Below are six core courses aligned to the CAPES:
- Shared Vision of Learning
- Culture of Teaching and Learning
- Culturally Conscious Leadership
- Personal Ethics and Leadership Capacity
- Social, Political, Legal, Economic, and Cultural Understanding
- Management of the School in Service of Teaching and Learning
The program also includes: Technology Boot Camp, Orientation, a Research Writing Component, Job Shadow, Leadership Application: Leading a PLC and a Symposium at the end of the program.
- Participants can expect to be a part of a community of learners for continued support in the form of threaded discussions, chat room, announcements, and a research writing component.
- Fieldwork experiences, comprising approximately 25% of the program, are focused on teaching and learning. A coach, trained in Cognitive Coaching, provides monthly coaching sessions for all participants as he/she advances through the program. There will be development of a Field-Based "Leading a Professional Learning Community" and job shadowing in a variety of settings.
Phase 3: Completion Phase
- Participants are expected to enroll in the six core courses, Leadership Application, and Orientation. There is an "Extension Request" form available for specific situations requiring an extension. This is specified in the Program Handbook.
- Completion of required Bridges to Leadership - PASC coursework.
- Completion of program components including: Job shadow, the Research Writing Component and the final assessment in the program, Leadership Application: Leading a Professional Learning Community.
Rae Ann Jimenez Opens a New Window.
Coordinator, Credentialing Programs
Phone (209) 381-5945 Fax: 381-6774
Heather Woody Opens a New Window.
Administrative Secretary
Phone (209) 381-5976 Fax: 381-6774
MCOE Downtown Professional Development Center
1715 Canal Street, 3rd Floor
Merced, CA 953410
Office Hours: M-F 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Lunch 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Mailing Address:
Merced County Office of Education
632 W. 13th Street
Merced, CA 95341
