Induction

PUC’S INDUCTION MISSION

The vision of the PUC Schools Induction Program is to support and develop beginning teachers’ pedagogical habits of inquiry, practice & reflection, and to develop a growth mindset, as they become competent, reflective teachers capable of preparing all students for college success.

Overview

The PUC Induction Program offers a two-year, individualized, job-embedded system of mentoring, support and professional learning to teachers who have a current preliminary General Education Multiple Subject, Single-Subject or Education Specialist credential and work within the PUC organization or a PUC partner school. All teachers are highly encouraged to begin Induction in the first year of teaching and continue to grow in their professional practice while guided by the California Standards for the Teaching Profession (CSTP), an Individualized Learning Plan (ILP), and an Induction Mentor.

PUC Induction Handbook 24-25

Induction and the CA Clear Credential

The CA Clear Credential is the highest level of teaching credential attainable and is required to continue teaching in public schools in California. The simplified flow chart below shows the pathway to the Clear Credential. For more information, see https://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets

To obtain a Clear Credential, Candidates must first have a Preliminary Credential and then participate in a state accredited Induction Program. PUC offers an Induction program that is tailored to the needs of PUC teachers and other charter school teachers. Candidates can also choose other state-sponsored Induction programs outside of PUC. Teachers have five years from the date of issuance to clear the Preliminary Credential. To check the status of your credential go to: http://www.ctc.ca.gov/lookup.html

PUC Induction Program Contacts

Trisha Mendinueto, Induction Coordinator
[email protected]
(818) 220-3958

Sarah Ballard Wiley, Learning and Engagement Coach
[email protected]

Claudia Castaneda, Credential Analyst
[email protected]
(818) 478-2136

Candidates

“What does successful completion of Induction look like for the 24-25 school year?”

Year 1, Year 2, and Early Completion Option (ECO) Candidates create an Individual Learning Plan centered around an Inquiry Focus. In one year, Year 1 Candidates will complete 1 inquiry cycle, while Year 2 and ECO Applicants will complete 2 inquiry cycles. Each cycle includes: Reviewing Data and Assessment, Research & Planning, and Instruction & Implementation. (Candidates who enter in the Spring start Inquiry Cycle #1 in January.) Skilled Mentors guide Candidates through mentor observations, colleague observations, choice activities (analyzing student work samples, researching a focus student, engaging in professional learning and/or video reflection), and inquiry data analysis all centered around the Candidate’s identified growth areas related to the CSTPS. Traditional Candidates participate in 2 years of induction, while ECO Candidates typically participate in 1 or 1.5 years of Induction.

*The elements highlighted below are optional for Year 1 Candidates and required for Year 2 and ECO applicants.

“I want to learn more about the PUC Induction program.”

Informational Sessions:

Recording

PPT

“What is the cost for participating in PUC Induction?”

For PUC teachers, the cost of PUC Induction will be waived for the 24-25 and 25-26 school years due to available grant funding.

Tuition 2024-25	PUC Teacher	Partner Teacher
Traditional Pathway (2 Years)	$0 per year	$2,500 per year
Early Completion Option (1 Year)	$0 per year	$2,500 per year
*Candidate Induction Form Application Fee	$0	$100 (may be used towards tuition)
*Early Completion Option Application Fee	$0	$300

*All Application fees are non-refundable.

“I am interested in signing up for the PUC Induction 2025-2026 cohort.”

Fall Cohort: Due July 31st, 2025.

Candidate Induction Form

Enrollment will be open December 2025 for the Spring Cohort: Due December 31st, 2025.

“I am interested in applying for the PUC Induction Early Completion Option.”

25-26 ECO Info Sessions

Wednesday, June 18th

4:00-5:00 PM

https://bit.ly/TrishaZoom

Wednesday, July 16th

4:00-5:00 PM

https://bit.ly/TrishaZoom

24-25 ECO Criteria Click HERE

25-26 ECO Criteria Coming Soon!

ECO Application 25-26 Coming Soon!

- Fall Application Due October 15th@4:00PM, 2025 ($300 application fee)
- Spring Application Due February 28th@4:00, 2026 ($300 application fee)

Mentors

Site Leaders

“A teacher at my school site is enrolled for the PUC Induction program.”
Review the PUC Induction Site Leader Agreement 24-25 and complete the Agreement Form.

“A teacher at my school site applied to be a PUC Induction Mentor.”
Complete the 25-26 Site Leader Endorsement for Induction Mentors.

“A teacher at my school site applied for the PUC Induction Early Completion Option (ECO).”
Complete the 24-25 ECO Site Leader Recommendation by October 15th, 2024.

Partner Schools

Partner Intake Process

Partner Intake Process_ 24-25

PUC Policies

Non-Discrimination Statement

PUC Schools is an equal opportunity employer. This means that employment decisions are based solely on qualifications and the organization’s needs for a specific position, and not on age, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, pregnancy, race, color, ancestry, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship, genetic characteristic, physical or mental disability or any other status protected by California or federal law. Equal employment opportunity will extend to all persons in all aspects of the PUC – Team Members relationship, including recruitment, hiring, firing, promotion, training, transfer, discipline, layoff, compensation, and discharge.

In accordance with the PUC Equal Employment Opportunity policy, PUC Schools makes all personnel decisions without unlawful discrimination, including decisions regarding the admission, retention or graduation of candidates, and decisions regarding the employment, retention or promotion of employees.

Grievance Policy and Process

All current and prospective stakeholders in the PUC Induction Program are hereby notified of a process for grievance due to the following situations, including but not limited to:

Dissatisfaction with mentor pairing; see Mentor Candidate Reassignment Policy
Dissatisfaction with the program
Appeal of dismissal from the program
Appeal of non-admittance into the Early Completion Option

If a PUC Induction participant is dissatisfied with the mentor pairing, the program elements, or requirements of the program, the person will direct their concern to the Induction Coordinator in writing and the situation will be explored. If the concern is related to Candidate/Mentor pairing, the procedures detailed in the Candidate/Mentor Request for Reassignment Policy will be followed. For all other concerns, the Induction Coordinator will contact the person making the request and if necessary, will meet with the involved parties to resolve the conflict and/or concern. Should the conflict and/or concern go unresolved, the Induction coordinator will present the concern to the PUC Induction Advisory Board for resolution.

Please see the PUC Induction Handbook 23-24 for more detailed information on the Grievance Policy and Processes.