CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) has received $250,000 to develop an affordable program where students can complete bachelor’s degrees and preparation requirements for California’s new early-childhood teaching credential in four years to address a critical shortage.
The Commission on Teacher Credentialing awarded the $249,942 grant as part of an effort to support shortened teacher-preparation programs in fields where there are shortages. CSUCI’s program will help fill the critical need for transitional kindergarten, or prekindergarten, teachers, particularly those with bilingual education credentials.
The need for credentialed early childhood teachers has been growing in recent years as the state has expanded transitional kindergarten. Legislation approved in 2021 calls for all 4-year-olds to have the opportunity to attend transitional kindergarten programs by the 2025-26 school year.