CLASS Program

• Overview & Coursework

  A teacher residency differs from traditional student teaching in significant ways. CLASS Residents begin working with their mentor teachers prior to the opening of the school year and work full-time, four days per week at the school site in one of our diverse, high-need partner districts (Gridley, Live Oak, Oroville, Red Bluff or Willows) for the entire academic year.

  Residents assume responsibility for co-planning and co-teaching with their dedicated mentors from day one, and participate with their mentors and supervisors in a variety of classroom-, school- and district-related activities. They are, in effect, additional faculty members in the classrooms and at the schools where they are assigned.

  Residents graduate from CLASS as a well-seasoned, second-year teacher with confidence to sustain a successful teaching career with the knowledge and resources to uphold an equitable, diverse and inclusive professional learning environment.

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  Handbook

  • CLASS Credential Handbook (PDF)
• Living Stipend

  How to Qualify for the Stipend

  • be a U.S. citizen or hold a valid permanent resident card
  • sustain a B-average throughout the graduate program, and
  • be in good standing with the U.S. Department of Education.

  Stipend Requirements

  Stipend recipients of CLASS must successfully complete all requirements for the CA Teaching Credential and Master of Arts in Teaching, and fulfill three years of full-time teaching service in an approved, high-need K-12 school anywhere in the United States (preferably at a partner school one served during the residency).

  For reference, to locate an eligible school that qualifies as high-need, please review the California Department of Education website (or desired out-of-state department of education website). Per the U.S. Department of Education, the primary focus is on free and reduced price meals.

  For reference, the secondary level needs to be 45% or higher; Ed. Specialist Residents qualify to teach ages 5-22, therefore, if desired to teach in an elementary setting it needs to be 60% or higher.

  Dismissal from the CLASS Program or failure to satisfy these obligations will result in a requirement to repay all grant funds received directly to Chico State Enterprises in an agreed amount of time per the signed Letter of Agreement and Promissory Note before the start of the program.

Program Components

• Engaging coursework with equitable technology toolkits
• Collaborate with a dedicated mentor teacher for guidance on successful co-planning and co-teaching methods(opens in new window)
• Effective professional development with enhanced support
• Conduct action research, data analysis & student assessment
• Network across high-need, diverse rural partner districts in one of the following locations: Gridley, Live Oak, Oroville, Red Bluff & Willows
• High living stipend 

Benefits of a Master's Degree

• Make a difference & educate the future
• Invest in yourself & earn a higher salary
• Facilitate diverse & meaningful conversations
• Implement teaching strategies
• Sustainable teaching career & financial opportunities(opens in new window)
• Become a community leader

Notice to Students RE: Professional Licensure and Certification(opens in new window)