PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Administrative Services Credentials authorize the holder to provide the following school services in grades 12 and below, including preschool, and in classes organized primarily for adults:
- Develop, coordinate, and assess instructional programs
- Evaluate certificated and classified personnel
- Provide student discipline
- Provide certificated and classified employee discipline
- Supervise certificated and classified personnel
- Manage school site, district, or county level fiscal services
- Recruit, employ, and assign certificated and classified personnel
- Develop, coordinate, and supervise student support services
An individual seeking a preliminary Administrative Services Credential needs to (1) hold an appropriate prerequisite credential, (2) complete three years teaching or other relevant experience, and (3) per Education Code section 44270.5, complete either an Administrative Services preparation program or an examination alternative that is aligned with the Administrative Services program standards for preliminary certification. Those applying based on a preparation program must also have an offer of employment in an administrative position for the preliminary certificate.
In October 2008, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) approved the continued use of the examination option to verify content knowledge for the preliminary certificate and the development of the California Preliminary Administrative Credential Examination (CPACE), a California-specific examination with a focus on California school law, finances, organization, and English learner student needs.
The Evaluation Systems group of Pearson was contracted by the CTC for the development, administration, and scoring of the CPACE.
The set of administrator knowledge and skills described in the CPACE Content Specifications and reflected in the CPACE is organized into the following four domains:
- Domain I: Visionary and Inclusive Leadership
- Domain II: Student Learning
- Domain III: Systems for Capacity Building
- Domain IV: Resource Management and Educational Law
The CPACE Content Specifications are available for review on the CPACE website by selecting "Test Preparation Materials."
CPACE Test Design
The examination consists of two separate test components: (1) a written component, offered as a computer-based test, and (2) a video component. Both components must be passed to achieve passing status on the CPACE.
CPACE–Written. The CPACE–Written consists of 70 multiple-choice items and four constructed-response items, including one case study, as shown below.
| DOMAIN | NUMBER OF COMPETENCIES | APPROXIMATE WEIGHTING | APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF MULTIPLE-CHOICE ITEMS |
NUMBER AND TYPE OF CONSTRUCTED-RESPONSE ITEMS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focused Constructed-Response | Case Study | ||||
| I: Visionary and Inclusive Leadership | 2 | 20% | 14 | 1 | -- |
| II: Student Learning | 2 | 30% | 16 | 1 | 1 |
| III: Systems for Capacity Building | 2 | 30% | 26 | -- | |
| IV: Resource Management and Educational Law | 4 | 20% | 14 | 1 | -- |
| TOTAL | 10 | 100% | 70 | 3 | 1 |
The multiple-choice section includes both content questions, in which knowledge about school leadership is directly assessed, and contextualized questions that assess the candidate's ability to apply specific knowledge, to analyze specific problems, or to conduct specific tasks related to educational administration.
Tests may include some multiple-choice items that will not count toward an examinee's score. These items are placed on the test in order to collect information about how the questions will perform under actual testing conditions.
The constructed-response section requires the candidate to write essays, as described below:
- Focused Assignments (3 essays). In these assignments, the candidate is presented with a problem or task relating to a particular school. The candidate is asked to consider this information and provide explanations related to appropriate strategies and considerations in addressing the problem or task. There is one essay for each of Domain I, II, and IV, and these assignments each require a written response of approximately 150–300 words.
- Case Study (1 essay). For this assignment, candidates receive substantial background information about a particular school. Candidates are asked to identify a school strength reflected in the information provided and a strategy for building on that strength. They also identify two school weaknesses reflected in the information provided, describe a strategy for addressing each weakness, and explain why each strategy described is likely to be effective. The case study includes content related to Domains II and III of the CPACE Content Specifications and requires a written response of approximately 300–600 words.
CPACE–Video. The video component of the CPACE requires the examinee to demonstrate knowledge, skills, and abilities in using effective communication skills in a professional interaction. This is done by completing a video submission, which includes (1) completing a context form to describe the setting and intent of the activity, (2) recording a 7- to 10-minute video of yourself completing a specific task (e.g., facilitating a meeting), and (3) completing a reflection form to provide an appraisal of the recorded activity.
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