A Career Ladder is a well defined pathway from one profession to another that includes: Increasing levels of skill and knowledge Increasing levels of responsibilities Increasing levels of compensation Support and guidance

What is the LAUSD Career Ladder? Support Program Not Coursework Inclusive All LAUSD Paraeducators Future Teachers NCLB compliance

All LAUSD Paraeducators Title I Bilingual Special Education Children’s Centers

Why a Career Ladder? Teacher Shortages Teacher Demographics

Teacher Shortages Can help fill shortages by encouraging participants to pursue those particular fields Elementary Currently Math, Science, English and Spanish, Special Education Bilingual

CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS Source: DataQuest ’04-05/LAUSD PCL Ethnicity LAUSD Students American Indian0.3 % Asian3.8 % African American11.6 % Filipino2.2 % Hispanic/Latino72.8 % Pacific Islander0.3 % White, Non-Hispanic9.0 % All LAUSD Teachers 0.7 % 8.4 % 12.8 % 2.1 % 27.9 % 0.3 % 47.8 % Career Ladder Teachers 0.3 % 4.4 % 8.3 % 1.8 % 74.0 % 0.2 % 10.9 %

Paraeducators as Teacher Candidates Aware of the challenges Experienced Interested in teaching Can be prepared for shortage areas From the community

The Obstacles Lack of Support - Money - Family Responsibilities - Advisement Lack of Time Prep for State Mandated Tests

What is the LAUSD Career Ladder? Support Program Not Coursework Inclusive All LAUSD Paraeducators Future Teachers

Support Services Educational Advisement Training and Support Assistance with State-mandated exams Financial Assistance Hiring Assistance

Support Services Educational Advisement Training and Support Assistance with State-mandated exams Financial Assistance Hiring Assistance

On-Campus Advisers Local CSUs and Selected Community Colleges Office Hours for Career Ladder Participants Advisees do not have to be enrolled Funded by the Career Ladder

Support Services Educational Advisement Training and Support Assistance with State-mandated exams Financial Assistance Hiring Assistance

Mini-conferences Twice per year Convenient day and time Information and training Meet others with similar goals Make contact with experienced teachers and On-Campus Advisers Ladder Forums

Support Services Educational Advisement Training and Support Assistance with State-mandated exams Financial Assistance Hiring Assistance

Reimbursement for Preparation for State-mandated exams California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) $125 maximum. PA 1 a pre-requisite California Subject Exams for Teachers (CSET) or Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) $150 maximum. PA 1 and PA 2 pre-requisites Submit form, original receipt and brochure or flyer

Reimbursement for CBEST Exam Reimbursement of $41 fee upon receipt of CBEST results Up to two administrations of the test.

Support Services Educational Advisement Training and Support Preparation for State-mandated exams Financial Assistance Hiring Assistance

Tuition Reimbursement Courses leading to a B.A. and credential C or better Incentives to take more units Minimal support at Levels 1 and 2 Increases significantly at Level 3

At Level 1 3 semester units 3 X $5 = $15 9 semester units 9 X $7 = $63 At Level 3 3 semester units 3 X $20 = $60 9 semester units 9 X $40 = $360 At Level 5 3 semester units 3 X $30 = $90 9 semester units 9 X $60 = $540

Outstanding Teacher Candidates $3000 annually Nominated by school 3.0 GPA Level 3, 4, or 5 Full-time enrollment Funded by LAUSD

California School Paraprofessional Teacher Training Program $2,500 annual reimbursement for educational expenses 2.75 minimum GPA Full-time enrollment (18 semester/24 quarter units per year) Funded through a State of California grant

LAUSD Ladder Performance Area Demonstration Activity Observation by Teacher Reflection Educational Benchmarks Performance Assessments

- Knowledge of Program- Classroom Organization Level 1 High School Diploma - Communication Skills

- Knowledge of Program- Classroom Organization - Behavior Management - Student Supervision 1 Level 2 H.S. 12 Semester Units - Communication Skills

University Enrollment 60 Semester Units - Knowledge of Program- Classroom Organization - Behavior Management - Student Supervision - Introduction to Lesson Plans - Instructional Assistance 1 2 Level 3 H.S. 12 Sem Units - Communication Skills

University - Knowledge of Program- Classroom Organization - Behavior Management - Student Supervision - Introduction to Lesson Plans - Instructional Assistance Delivery of lesson plans prepared by teacher & para Level 4 90 Semester Units H.S. 12 Sem Units 60 Sem Units - Communication Skills

University - Knowledge of Program- Classroom Organization - Behavior Management - Student Supervision - Introduction to Lesson Plans - Instructional Assistance Delivery of lesson plans prepared by teacher & para Directed Teaching Level 5 Bachelor’s Degree 90 Sem Units H.S. 12 Sem Units 60 Sem Units - Communication Skills

Support Services Educational Advisement Training and Support Preparation for State-mandated exams Financial Assistance Hiring Assistance

Walk through teacher processing Assist with posting of degree Assist with placement

Participant Commitment Upon Completion of Ladder Work for 2 years as a teacher if offered a position OR Pay back Ladder support

Results As of 6/30/05 2, 923 Teachers Hired 68.0% Elementary 16.3% Special Education 89.1% Minority 5-year Retention Rate as LAUSD teachers 83%

Contract Language Only for bargaining unit members Pay back of last six months of support if leave position Pay back of everything if offered position and not work for 2 years Oversight Committee

The Oversight Committee Equal Representation - Union - District Inclusion of Stakeholders Recommendations to Superintendent

Steve Brandick, Director LAUSD Career Ladder Office 333 South Beaudry Avenue, 14 th Floor Los Angeles, California Voice: (213) Fax: (213) Web Sites: