The Early Completion Option (ECO) is an application process designed to allow experienced and exceptional candidates who meet the eligibility criteria below to apply to complete Teacher Induction in one year rather than the traditional two-year induction program.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for ECO, you must meet all of the following:

1. Prior Teaching Experience: A minimum of three full years (August/September through June) of prior successful teaching experience as the teacher of record in a Preschool through Grade 12 setting (ECSE, ATP, Itinerant SPED included).
2. Current Year Teaching: You must be teaching in the classroom for the entire 2026–27 school year, in addition to the three prior full years noted above. One full year equivalent shall be defined as having worked under contract for at least 75% of the number of days assigned for each complete district school year by the school district in which you are employed. For example, if your school district's complete school year consists of 185 contracted duty days, you will need to have worked at least 138.75 days (75% of 185) to meet the requirement of one full year. Please note that any days missed due to any type of paid or unpaid leave will not count towards fulfilling the 75% requirement. If you were out on any type of leave during your three full years of teaching, please contact Induction Staff prior to applying.
3. Teaching Assignment: Your teaching experience and current assignment must be aligned to the California Standards for the Teaching Profession (CSTP). Assignment changes during the year will not meet eligibility. If you have questions about this, please contact Induction Staff to determine eligibility.

Not Eligible: 

• Assignment changes during the year will not meet eligibility.
• Various substitute positions and/or student teaching shall NOT be counted toward eligibility.
• A teaching assignment that is not full time and/or does not match your current credential.

Special Considerations - Needs Staff Approval:

• Out of state and/or country experience may or may not meet eligibility. 
• If you have multiple credentials to clear
• If you have a unique teaching assignment (A unique teaching situation/assignment will likely warrant completion of a two-year induction program)

If you have questions about your specific experience please contact Denise Guerrero dguerrero@fcoe.org. 

Ready to Apply?

If you meet the basic eligibility criteria and would like to be considered to participate in the application process, your next steps are:

1. Review the ECO Application Information and Process sheet for an overview of the three phases of the application process.
2. Watch the ECO Webinar & Submit Survey - Time Sensitive - The Webinar Survey is due by Oct 30, 2026 

The webinar will be released and the link will be provided on this page by August 31, 2026.