Alameda County Office of Education

CPAL

Clear Path for the Advancement in Leadership

The Alameda County Office of Education’s Clear Path for the Advancement in Leadership (CPAL) program offers a high-quality, cost-effective pathway to clearing your California Administrative Services Credential. Designed for current school, district and county leaders - CPAL combines expert coaching, a collaborative cohort model, and a strong focus on equity leadership.

This program is designed for candidates who:

Currently hold a Preliminary Administrative Credential
Are working in school leadership roles such as Assistant Principal, Principal, or in district office or central office positions within Alameda County.
Want to CLEAR their Administrative Credential

Why choose CPAL?

Affordable tuition compared to other credentialing programs (see program cost below)
Personalized coaching from experienced leaders
Equity-centered leadership development for real-world impact
Supportive, countywide cohort< to build your professional network
Designed to meet the needs of working educational professionals - no homework or essays to complete, with a focus on job-embedded performance measures.

The program provides:

Clear Administrative Credential by guiding candidates through effective practices and strategies tailored to meet the requirements for credential clearance.
Practical tools and insights to enhance leadership effectiveness while completing the credentialing process.
Foundational equity leadership development to support a long and impactful career in educational leadership.

Program Cost:

Total cost with district sponsorship: $2,500
- The candidate will pay $1,250 at the beginning of each year in the program.
Total cost without district sponsorship: $5,000
- The candidate will pay $2,500 at the beginning of each year in the program.

Apply Now!

RSVP to an upcoming Info Session!

Program Overview

This program is intended for leaders who currently possess a Preliminary Administrative Services Credential or an Administrative Services Certificate of Eligibility. Applicants must also be currently employed or have accepted a position in a school district in Alameda County necessitating an administrative credential.
Admission -To gain admission to CPAL the participant must be in or have been offered an administrative position AND currently possess a Preliminary Administrative Services Credential or an Administrative Services Certificate of Eligibility.
Participants must receive release from their site one school day per month to attend CPAL Professional Development.
After completion of CPAL participants must commit to working in districts in need of support in the Bay Area.
State Requirements
- Possess either a Preliminary Administrative Credential or Certificate of Eligibility
- Verification of employment in an administrative position for 2024-2025 school year
Program Requirements
- Strong cultural humility and competency
- Commitment to work in districts in the Bay Area in need of support for the duration of the two-year program
Clear Administrative Services Credential
2 years (i.e. Participants who begin CPAL in August, 2025 will complete the program in June, 2027).
2 year program

The coursework:
One day per month of PD based on 11 Essential Administrative Practices and an assigned coach will also monitor progress during the program. The expectation is that each candidate is proficient in thee 11 Essential Practices.
Total cost of the 2 year program is $5,000.

Total cost of the 2 year program without district sponsorship: $5,000
(The candidate will pay $2,500 at the beginning of each year in the program.)

Total cost of the 2 year program with district sponsorship: $2,500
(If the candidate's district agrees to sponsor them, the candidate will pay $1,250 at the beginning of each year in the program.)
The program provides the following support to its participants:
- Orientation Dinner: An introductory session that includes an overview of the program structure and expectations.
- Guidance and Facilitation with Districts: Support in navigating district-specific requirements and processes, in terms of program admission and district sponsorships, to ensure a smooth onboarding process.
Individual Coaching: Each participant is paired with a dedicated coach who works closely with them, 40 hours of one-on-one coaching, throughout the program. Coaching sessions are held every two weeks to provide personalized guidance, feedback, and support.