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 ProgramNot Coursework

InclusiveAll 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

CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS

Source: DataQuest ’04-05/LAUSD PCL 04-05

Ethnicity LAUSDStudents

American Indian 0.3 %

Asian 3.8 %

African American 11.6 %

Filipino 2.2 %

Hispanic/Latino 72.8 %

Pacific Islander 0.3 %

White, Non-Hispanic 9.0 %

AllLAUSD

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 ProgramNot Coursework

InclusiveAll 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) orReading 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 13 semester units

3 X $5 = $15

9 semester units 9 X $7 = $63

At Level 33 semester units3 X $20 = $60

9 semester units9 X $40 = $360

At Level 53 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

1

2

3

4

5LAUSD Ladder

•Perfo

rman

ce A

rea

•Demon

stra

tion A

ctivi

ty

•Observ

ation

by

Teac

her

•Reflec

tion

Educatio

nal

Bench

mar

ks

Perfo

rman

ce

Asses

smen

ts

- 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

1

2

3

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

1

2

3

4

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

Hiring Assistance

• Walk through teacher processing

• Assist with posting of degree

• Assist with placement

Participant CommitmentUpon Completion of Ladder

• Work for 2 years as a teacher if offered a position

OR• Pay back Ladder support

Results

• As of 6/30/052, 923 Teachers Hired

• 68.0% Elementary16.3% 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, 14th Floor

Los Angeles, California 90017

Voice: (213) 241-4571

Fax: (213) 241-8465

E-mail: steven.brandick@lausd.net

Web Sites: www.TeachInLA.com

www.Teacherhood.net