Special Education Leadership Academy Prepares Future Leaders
The South County Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) and Learning and Leadership Services are collaborating on a one-of-a-kind credential program aimed at preparing educational leaders in California for high-need special education leadership positions.
The Special Education Leadership Academy is the only program in the state through which educators can earn a preliminary administrative services credential with enhanced learning focus on relevant special education-specific topics such as special education law, alternative dispute resolution, and disproportionality. This ultimately benefits students in special education programs throughout the state.
“Most preliminary administrative programs that exist focus very little on special education leadership roles and responsibilities,” said Russell Coronado, executive director of the South County SELPA. “There are more than 2,000 special education administrators in the state of California, many of whom had to learn on the job because the preliminary administrative program they attended did not give them the knowledge or skills required in a special education leadership role.”
The academy, offered entirely online, is an accelerated program that runs from August to May. Through a unique partnership with the state, participants concurrently enroll in the regular credential program and receive partial credit equivalency for the special education-focused classes.
“I appreciated the focus on equity and the culturally responsive approach that appeared embedded throughout the program,” said Greg Watkins, who attended and is now a coordinator with the South County SELPA. “Combining general education and special education learning allowed me to grow professionally and gain a better awareness of educational leadership.”
Executive Leadership Coach Joe Frescatore has collaborated with Program Administrator Diana Lynn at the South County SELPA on the academy since it started in 2021.
“This meaningful collaboration evolved from an innovative idea to offer a special education administrative credential,” Frescatore said.
Coronado shared that all courses and sessions in the Special Education Leadership Academy are taught and presented by instructors who provide their services pro bono to expand the leadership presence of special education and to reduce the overall cost to participants.
“It is the embodiment of equity as the barrier of cost is no longer a barrier for special educators pursuing their administrative credential,” he said.
Shaun McDade, a local athletic director, chose the program because of the emphasis on special education and found value in being able to learn about general and special education programs at the same time.
“I thought it was very engaging, and I learned a ton,” he said.
The academy is currently training its third cohort with 38 educators and will begin recruiting for the next cohort in December.
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