SOUTH COUNTY SELPA

The South County SELPA has a longstanding commitment to delivering high-quality professional development opportunities for community members, parents/guardians, and school educators.

Over the past decade, the department has successfully conducted a professional development series called the Special Education Leaders Academy, focused on nurturing aspiring special education leaders. In 2021, the South County SELPA joined forces with SDCOE’s Preliminary Administrators Service Credential (PASC) program to enhance and relaunch this program. The revamped Special Education Leadership Academy is specifically designed to attract and train special educators, offering a pathway for aspiring candidates to obtain their administrative credential. There are many essential topics covered in the curriculum, such as Special Education finance, curriculum and instruction, English language services, placement services, behavior and discipline, mediation and due process, equity & disproportionality, leadership, staff support, and alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Through this collaborative effort, we aim to provide specialized training and exposure to various facets of Special Education leadership. Ultimately, the goal is to empower candidates with the knowledge and skills needed for successful administrative roles in the dynamic field of special education administration.

Program Overview

The Special Education Leadership Academy is an opportunity to earn a Preliminary Administrators Service Credential (PASC) through the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE), aligned with a focus in special education. Participants will earn 11-semester units over one academic year. The PASC program coursework is taken concurrently with the Special Education Leaders Academy courses, making it possible to earn your administrative credential in one year. Classes are virtual and the program cost for the 2025-26 cohort is $4,450 (plus books and registration fees for the CalAPA Leadership Cycles).

Enrollment Requirements

• Five years of full-time certificated experience in a public or private school (instate or out-of-state). This experience may be teaching, pupil personnel work, librarianship, health services, clinical or rehabilitative series, or a combination equaling five years
• Passing scores on the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST)
• Valid Clear California Teaching or Services Credential
• A Master’s degree in a Special Education or related field
• Completion of the SDCOE PASC Application and acceptance into the SDCOE PASC Program

Program Completion Requirements

Special Education Leadership Academy participants are enrolled in SDCOE’s Preliminary Administrative Services Credential Program. This program is based on Administrative Services Credential Program Standards. The SDCOE PASC Program Director verifies all candidates participating in this program successfully complete all coursework requirements, to include Special Education Leadership Academy, in addition to required fieldwork experiences, and pass each CalAPA cycle prior to credential recommendation to the CTC.