Can I do student teaching while on EDD's California Training Benefits program?

I was in a similar situation back in 2024! Yes, you absolutely CAN student teach while on CTB, but you need to get it approved BEFORE you start. The CTB program is designed for exactly this - allowing people to complete education/training while receiving benefits. First, make sure your teaching credential program is on the state-approved list (most are). Then you need to submit the DE 3100 form and get a letter from your program confirming the student teaching is a required component of your credential. I went through this whole process and continued receiving my benefits throughout my student teaching semester. The key is getting it approved as a CTB exemption so you don't have to do the regular job search requirements. With CTB approval, your student teaching counts as your "work search" activity. Check out claimyr.com if you need help getting through to an EDD rep quickly - their service helped me connect with someone who actually understood CTB policies. They have a video demo that explains how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km

OMG the EDD and their "look online" responses drive me CRAZY!!! 😤 I had a similar situation but with nursing clinical rotations. Student teaching SHOULD qualify under CTB but EDD reps give different answers depending who you talk to. My cousin's friend did student teaching on unemployment but got hit with an overpayment notice 6 months later because they said she wasn't "available for work" during that time. Be careful!!!

The previous advice about CTB is mostly correct, but there are some important specifics you need to understand about student teaching and EDD requirements: 1. Student teaching CAN qualify under CTB, but only if your entire credential program was approved, not just the student teaching portion. 2. You must be marked as "actively participating" in an approved training program to be exempt from work search requirements. 3. The key distinction is that student teaching is considered part of your educational program, not employment. 4. You MUST have submitted the DE 3100 form and received approval BEFORE starting your student teaching. 5. Your credential program needs to provide documentation that student teaching is a required component. The approval process typically takes 10-15 business days, so submit your paperwork ASAP. You can also request expedited processing if your start date is approaching.

When I was in the teaching credential program last year I just didn't tell EDD I was student teaching and kept certifying normally. As long as you say you're available for work they don't really check what you're doing during the day. Just be careful about what your master teacher or program coordinators might say if EDD calls them.

I went through this EXACT situation in January! Here's what worked for me: 1. I applied for CTB approval using the DE 3100 form 2. Got a letter from my university stating student teaching was REQUIRED for my credential 3. Called EDD about 20 times before finally getting through (nightmare!) 4. The rep manually added notes to my account about my training program 5. Received approval letter about 2 weeks later 6. Was able to do my student teaching without job search requirements The system is designed to let you complete necessary education/training while receiving benefits. You just need to get through to the right person who understands CTB.

The EDD system is designed to PREVENT people from getting benefits they deserve. I tried to do a nursing program on CTB and they kept denying me even though it was on their approved list! Had to appeal THREE TIMES and by then my program had already started and I had to drop out because I couldn't pay rent. The whole system is broken and designed to frustrate you until you give up. They don't want to help people improve their lives.

i did student teaching last year but wasnt on unemployment so cant help with that part but just wanted to say good luck with your credential!! the student teaching part is super intense but totally worth it. hope u get the edd stuff figured out!!

After reading all these comments, I want to add something important: document EVERYTHING. Save copies of all forms you submit, take screenshots of online submissions, note the name of every EDD rep you speak with along with the date and time, and keep copies of all approval letters. I initially got approved for CTB, then halfway through my student teaching got a weird notice saying I needed to look for work. When I called, they had no record of my CTB approval! Thankfully I had saved the approval letter and was able to email it to a supervisor who fixed the problem. Also, since no one else mentioned it - you still need to certify every two weeks while on CTB, but you'll answer "no" to looking for work and indicate you're in training. Make sure you do this consistently.

My roommate tried calling EDD for TWO WEEKS about her CTB application and couldn't get through to anyone. She finally used this service called Claimyr that got her connected to an EDD agent in like 10 minutes! It costs money but she said it was totally worth it not to spend hours redialing. Their website has a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km

WHY is everything with EDD so unnecessarily complicated?!?! In literally any other state, this would be a simple yes/no question with a clear answer. But California has to make a whole bureaucratic nightmare out of it. My friend in Arizona just checked a box saying she was in school and that was it!!!! Meanwhile we're filling out special forms and calling 500 times and STILL getting different answers from every rep. It's RIDICULOUS.

As someone who just went through this process last month, I can confirm that student teaching DOES qualify for CTB! Here's my experience: I submitted my DE 3100 form about 4 weeks before my student teaching started. The key documents I included were: - Letter from my university confirming student teaching was mandatory for credential completion - My program's approval letter showing it's on the state-approved training list - Documentation showing my expected completion date The approval took exactly 12 business days. During student teaching, I continued certifying every two weeks but selected "I am in an approved training program" instead of job searching. One tip that saved me: when I submitted the DE 3100, I also faxed it AND mailed a copy via certified mail. Good thing too, because they initially said they never received it! Having that certified mail receipt got it sorted out quickly. Don't let the inconsistent info from different reps discourage you - the CTB program exists specifically for situations like yours. Just make sure you get everything submitted and approved BEFORE you start. You've got this! 🍎📚

Just wanted to jump in with some additional perspective as someone who works in education policy! The confusion around CTB and student teaching often comes from the fact that EDD reps aren't always familiar with the specific requirements of teacher credentialing programs. One thing I'd recommend is contacting your credential program's student services office - they've likely dealt with this situation before and may even have template letters or forms they've used successfully with EDD. Some programs actually have staff who are familiar with the CTB process and can help guide you through it. Also, make sure your program is on the ETPL (Eligible Training Provider List). Most university credential programs are, but it's worth double-checking since this is a requirement for CTB approval. You can search for your program on the CalJOBS website. The 16-week timeline you mentioned is pretty standard for student teaching, and CTB is designed to cover exactly this type of situation. Don't let the inconsistent responses from EDD discourage you - you have every right to complete your required training while receiving benefits. The key is just getting the proper documentation submitted and approved beforehand. Best of luck with your credential program! Teaching is such rewarding work, and we need more good teachers in California! 🍎

I went through this exact situation last semester and it was definitely stressful at first, but it worked out! Here's what I learned: The CTB program absolutely covers student teaching, but like others have mentioned, you MUST get approval before starting. I made the mistake of assuming it would be automatically approved and almost got into trouble. A few things that helped me: 1. My university's credential office had a pre-written letter template specifically for EDD - definitely ask yours if they have something similar 2. I submitted everything 3 weeks early because I'd heard horror stories about delays 3. When I called EDD, I specifically asked to speak to someone familiar with CTB policies (some reps had never heard of it!) During student teaching, the certification process was actually easier than job searching. I just had to indicate I was in approved training and that was it. No work search requirements, no having to turn down job offers - it was a relief honestly. One heads up though - keep all your documentation even after you finish student teaching. I got a random audit 6 months later and had to prove my program was legitimate, but since I kept everything it was fine. You're doing the right thing getting your credential - we need more teachers! The financial stress during student teaching is real, but CTB makes it manageable. Good luck! 🎓

I actually just completed my student teaching on CTB this past fall and wanted to share some practical tips that really helped me through the process! First - yes, student teaching 100% qualifies for CTB as long as it's part of an approved credential program. The key is getting your paperwork submitted early and being persistent with follow-up. Here's what made the biggest difference for me: 1. Submit your DE 3100 form at least 3-4 weeks before starting (I submitted mine 5 weeks early to be safe) 2. Include a detailed letter from your program coordinator stating that student teaching is MANDATORY for credential completion 3. Get a copy of your program's ETPL approval number to include with your application 4. Follow up with a phone call 1-2 weeks after submission to confirm they received everything The certification process during student teaching was actually much simpler than regular job searching. You just select that you're in approved training and you're done - no work search activities required. Pro tip: create a dedicated folder (physical and digital) for ALL your CTB documentation. I'm talking approval letters, submission receipts, program letters, everything. Some people get audited months later and you'll want easy access to prove everything was legitimate. Don't let the confusing responses from different EDD reps discourage you - the program exists specifically for situations like yours. You've got this! 💪

I'm a current teacher who went through this exact process two years ago! Student teaching absolutely qualifies under CTB - don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Here's my step-by-step experience: **Timeline:** Submit DE 3100 form 4-6 weeks before starting (I did 5 weeks and it was perfect timing) **Required docs:** - DE 3100 form (obviously) - Official letter from your credential program stating student teaching is mandatory - Copy of your program's ETPL listing/approval - Your unofficial transcript showing progress toward credential **Pro tips that saved me:** - Call your university's credential office first - they likely have a standard EDD letter template - Submit via multiple methods (online, fax, AND certified mail) - Take screenshots of every online submission - Get confirmation numbers for everything - Follow up with a call 10 days after submission During student teaching, certification was super easy - just select "participating in approved training" and you're done. No job search requirements, no stress about turning down interviews. **Important:** Keep ALL documentation for at least 2 years after completing your program. Random audits happen and you'll need proof everything was legit. The system works - you just need to navigate it correctly. Don't give up, we need more teachers! Feel free to DM me if you need help with specific paperwork questions. You've got this! 🍎✊

Hey Douglas! I just went through this exact process last month and wanted to add my experience to all the great advice already here. YES, you can absolutely do student teaching while on CTB - it's literally what the program was designed for! Here's what worked for me: - Called my credential program's student services office first (they had a template letter ready!) - Submitted DE 3100 form 4 weeks early with all required docs - Got approval in exactly 14 business days - During student teaching, certification was super simple - just select "in approved training" The most important thing is getting that approval BEFORE you start. Don't listen to anyone suggesting you hide it from EDD - that's fraud and not worth the risk when there's a legitimate pathway. One tip I haven't seen mentioned: if you have trouble getting through to EDD by phone, try calling right at 8:00 AM when they open. I had much better luck getting connected early in the day. You're so close to finishing your credential - don't let EDD stress derail that! The CTB program exists specifically so people like us can complete required training. Get your paperwork submitted ASAP and you'll be fine. Good luck with student teaching - it's challenging but so rewarding! 🍎

I actually work as a benefits counselor (not for EDD, but I help people navigate these systems) and wanted to clarify a few things I'm seeing in the comments that might be confusing: The CTB program is absolutely the right path for student teaching, but there are some misconceptions floating around. Here are the key facts: 1. **You don't need your ENTIRE credential program pre-approved** - just the student teaching portion needs CTB approval if you're already receiving benefits 2. **Student teaching is NOT considered employment** - it's educational training, which is exactly what CTB covers 3. **The DE 3100 form is critical** - but make sure you're filling out the RIGHT version (there are different forms for different situations) Most importantly: **Document everything and submit early!** I've seen too many people get caught in bureaucratic delays because they waited until the last minute. One resource I always recommend is contacting your local One-Stop Career Center - they have staff specifically trained on WIOA programs and CTB who can review your paperwork before you submit it. Much better than dealing with EDD's phone system! The bottom line is this: if student teaching is a mandatory requirement for your credential and your program is on the approved list, you SHOULD be eligible for CTB. Don't let inconsistent information from different reps discourage you from pursuing benefits you're entitled to. Good luck with your student teaching! We definitely need more teachers in California! 🎓