Project IMPACT
Project IMPACT is a district intern program, founded in 1997, and sponsored by a consortium of local school districts and coordinated by San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE). Beginning in 2001, several satellites have been added. Districts within Los Angeles County, Merced County, Sacramento and Tulare County act in consortia within the geographic area. Project IMPACT prepares teachers for elementary, middle, high school, and special education. District intern programs are similar to traditional university internships in that the intern is both a full time teacher and full time student. In a university intern program, interns are employed by the district and are enrolled full time in the university’s teacher preparation/education program. In a district intern program, the district employs the intern and delivers the teacher preparation program. The IMPACT Program applies the concept of the district internship to a county-wide consortium model with the county office providing coordinated development and geographically convenient delivery of a comprehensive teacher training program to interns throughout the county. Upon completion of the program, IMPACT program interns are eligible for a professional teaching credential. Funding to operate the IMPACT program is from three sources: grant funds, intern fees and district in-kind support. Multiple Subject and Single Subject IMPACT interns are awarded a California Preliminary Teaching Credential upon successful completion of the four semester program. At this point, they move into the induction phase of their program, culminating in a California Professional Credential. Education Specialist IMPACT interns complete both Level I and Level II of their program while interns and are awarded a California Professional Clear Credential upon completion. The IMPACT program (general and special education) is designed to be completed within six semesters including the induction or Level II phase. Visit the Project Impact website for more information, www.impactintern.org.
