​SAN JOSE, CA – The solution to the California teacher shortage may already be on school campuses. In an effort to address the state’s teacher shortage in STEM, special education, bilingual education, and transitional kindergarten, a local scholarship program led by the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is expanding its reach to 15 California counties to help classified school employees become credentialed teachers. This comes just in time for the next application cycle. 

The cost of earning a teaching credential, fewer supports for new teachers, and a high turnover rate all contribute to a chronic teacher shortage, which ultimately affects students. According to the Learning Policy Institute, “teacher shortages disproportionately impact students in high-need schools.” Former and current classified school employees have a demonstrated commitment to students and do not experience the culture shock that individuals with little or no classroom experience might.

Through the Classified School Employee Teacher Grant (Classified Grant), current and former classified school employees in partnering public schools, charter schools, district offices, or county offices of education can receive $4,000 per academic year to obtain their bachelor's degree and/or their first teaching credential. The scholarship money can be used for tuition, fees, and books at partnering institutions of higher education. In return, program graduates complete one year of classroom instruction for each year of funding provided through the Classified Grant. 

There is a growing pipeline of classified employees entering the classrooms through the Classified Grant program. There have been more than 260 classified school employees in the first round of the program. In the second round, there have been over 400 participants. The application period for the 2026-27 school year will open in July. $2 million is available in scholarships. 

The next application cycle will open on July 1, 2026. Classified school employees interested in learning more, please visit https://sccoe.to/school-employee-to-teacher