The Wildman-Keeley-Solis Exemplary Teacher Training Act of 1997 establishes the California School Paraprofessional Teacher Training Program for the purpose of recruiting paraprofessionals to participate in a program designed to encourage them to enroll in teacher training programs and to provide instructional service as teachers in the public schools. The act requires, among other things, that the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, in consultation with certain other educational entities, to select, pursuant to specified criteria, 24 or more school districts or county offices of education representing rural, urban, and suburban areas that apply to participate in the program. The act requires a school district or county office of education to require a person participating in the program to commit to fulfilling certain specified obligations relating to obtaining a teaching credential and employment as a teacher in the school district or county office of education. The act requires a school district or county office of education to require a program participant to obtain a certificate of clearance from the commission and provide verification of a specified level of academic achievement prior to participating in the program. The act expresses the intent of the Legislature that that, in each fiscal year, funding for the California School Paraprofessional Teacher Training Program be allocated to the commission for grants to school districts and county offices of education, limits grants to $3,500 per program participant per year, and makes funding for the grants contingent upon an appropriation in the annual Budget Act.

This bill would substantially revise those provisions to instead establish the California Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program for the purposes purpose of recruiting classified school employees to participate in a program designed to encourage them to enroll in teacher training programs and to provide instructional service as teachers in the public schools. Subject to an appropriation for these purposes in the annual Budget Act, the bill would require the commission to issue a request for proposals to all school districts and county offices of education in the state in order to solicit applications for funding. The bill would require the criteria adopted by the commission for the selection of school districts or county offices of education to participate in the program to include, among other things, the extent to which the applicants plan for recruitment attempts to meet the demand of teacher shortages in shortage areas in kindergarten transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, and grades 1 to 12, inclusive. The bill would require an applicant that is selected to participate to provide information about the program to all eligible classified school employees in the school district or county office of education and to provide assistance to each classified school employee it recruits under the program regarding admission to a teacher training program. The bill would also require an applicant to require participants to satisfy specified requirements before participating in the program, including passing a background check, and to certify that it has received a commitment from each participant that he or she will accomplish certain things, including completing all of the requirements for, and obtain, a multiple subject, single subject, or education specialist teaching credential. The bill would require the commission to contract with an independent evaluator with a proven record of experience in assessing teacher training programs to conduct an evaluation to determine the success of the program and would require the evaluation to be conducted once every 5 years, with the first evaluation being completed on or before July 1, 2021. The bill would also require the commission, on or before January 1 of each year, to report to the Legislature regarding the status of the program, as specified. The bill would state the Legislatures intent that that, each fiscal year, funding for the program be allocated to the commission for grants for up to 1,000 new participants per year and would prohibit a grant to an applicant from exceeding $4,000 per participant per year. The bill would make funding for grants to applicants contingent upon an appropriation in the annual Budget Act.

The Wildman-Keeley-Solis Exemplary Teacher Training Act of 1997 establishes the California School Paraprofessional Teacher Training Program for the purpose of recruiting paraprofessionals to participate in a program designed to encourage them to enroll in teacher training programs and to provide instructional service as teachers in the public schools. The act requires, among other things, that the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, in consultation with certain other educational entities, to select, pursuant to specified criteria, 24 or more school districts or county offices of education representing rural, urban, and suburban areas that apply to participate in the program. The act requires a school district or county office of education to require a person participating in the program to commit to fulfilling certain specified obligations relating to obtaining a teaching credential and employment as a teacher in the school district or county office of education. The act requires a school district or county office of education to require a program participant to obtain a certificate of clearance from the commission and provide verification of a specified level of academic achievement prior to participating in the program. The act expresses the intent of the Legislature that in each fiscal year, funding for the California School Paraprofessional Teacher Training Program be allocated to the commission for grants to school districts and county offices of education, limits grants to $3,500 per program participant per year, and makes funding for the grants contingent upon an appropriation in the annual Budget Act.

This bill would substantially revise those provisions to instead establish the California Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program for the purpose purposes of recruiting classified school employees to participate in a program designed to encourage them to enroll in teacher training programs and to provide instructional service as teachers in the public schools. Subject to an appropriation for these purposes in the annual Budget Act, the bill would require the commission to issue a request for proposals to all school districts and county offices of education in the state in order to solicit applications for funding. The bill would require the criteria adopted by the commission for the selection of school districts or county offices of education to participate in the program to include, among other things, the extent to which the applicants plan for recruitment attempts to meet the demand of teacher shortages in shortage areas in kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive. The bill would require an applicant that is selected to participate to provide information about the program to all eligible classified school employees in the school district or county office of education and to provide assistance to each classified school employee it recruits under the program regarding admission to a teacher training program. The bill would also require an applicant to require participants to satisfy specified requirements before participating in the program, including passing a background check, and to certify that it has received a commitment from each participant that he or she will accomplish certain things, including completing all of the requirements for, and obtain, a multiple subject, single subject, or education specialist teaching credential. The bill would require the commission to contract with an independent evaluator with a proven record of experience in assessing teacher training programs to conduct an evaluation to determine the success of the program and would require the evaluation to be conducted once every 5 years, with the first evaluation being completed on or before July 1, 2021. The bill would also require the commission, on or before January 1 of each year, to report to the Legislature regarding the status of the program, as specified. The bill would state the Legislatures intent that each fiscal year, funding for the program be allocated to the commission for grants for up to 1,000 new participants per year and would prohibit a grant to an applicant from exceeding $4,000 per participant per year. The bill would make funding for grants to applicants contingent upon an appropriation in the annual Budget Act.

The Wildman-Keeley-Solis Exemplary Teacher Training Act of 1997 establishes the California School Paraprofessional Teacher Training Program for the purpose of recruiting paraprofessionals to participate in a program designed to encourage them to enroll in teacher training programs and to provide instructional service as teachers in the public schools. The act requires, among other things, that the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, in consultation with certain other educational entities, to select, pursuant to specified criteria, 24 or more school districts or county offices of education representing rural, urban, and suburban areas that apply to participate in the program. The act requires a school district or county office of education to require a person participating in the program to commit to fulfilling certain specified obligations relating to obtaining a teaching credential and employment as a teacher in the school district or county office of education. The act requires a school district or county office of education to require a program participant to obtain a certificate of clearance from the commission and provide verification of a specified level of academic achievement prior to participating in the program. The act expresses the intent of the Legislature that in each fiscal year, funding for the California School Paraprofessional Teacher Training Program be allocated to the commission for grants to school districts and county offices of education, limits grants to $3,500 per program participant per year, and makes funding for the grants contingent upon an appropriation in the annual Budget Act.

This bill would substantially revise those provisions to instead establish the California Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program for the purpose of recruiting classified school employees to participate in a program designed to encourage them to enroll in teacher training programs and to provide instructional service as teachers in the public schools. Subject to an appropriation for these purposes in the annual Budget Act, the bill would require the commission to issue a request for proposals to all school districts and county offices of education in the state in order to solicit applications for funding. The bill would require the criteria adopted by the commission for the selection of school districts or county offices of education to participate in the program to include, among other things, the extent to which the applicants plan for recruitment attempts to meet the demand of teacher shortages in shortage areas in kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive. The bill would require an applicant that is selected to participate to provide information about the program to all eligible classified school employees in the school district or county office of education and to provide assistance to each classified school employee it recruits under the program regarding admission to a teacher training program. The bill would also require an applicant to require participants to satisfy specified requirements before participating in the program, including passing a background check, and to certify that it has received a commitment from each participant that he or she will accomplish certain things, including completing all of the requirements for, and obtain, a multiple subject, single subject, or education specialist teaching credential. The bill would require the commission to contract with an independent evaluator with a proven record of experience in assessing teacher training programs to conduct an evaluation to determine the success of the program and would require the evaluation to be conducted once every 5 years, with the first evaluation being completed on or before July 1, 2021. The bill would also require the commission, on or before January 1 of each year, to report to the Legislature regarding the status of the program, as specified. The bill would state the Legislatures intent that each fiscal year, funding for the program be allocated to the commission for grants for up to 1,000 new participants per year and would prohibit a grant to an applicant from exceeding $4,000 per participant per year. The bill would make funding for grants to applicants contingent upon an appropriation in the annual Budget Act.

ASSEMBLY THIRD READING

ATR Bill Id:

Author:(McCarty)

As Amended Ver:May 27, 2016

Majority vote

SUMMARY: Re-establishes the Paraprofessional Teacher Training Program (PTTP) as the California Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program (CCSETCP) and expands authorized grant recipients beyond paraprofessionals to also to include all non-certificated school employees currently working in a public school. Specifically, this bill:

1. Makes private not-for-profit institutions of higher education (IHEs) that offer a Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) approved teacher preparation program eligible for participation in the program.
2. Removes certain criteria for participation, including program emphasis on bilingual cross-cultural teacher development, K-3 teacher development and special education teacher development. Instead, more broadly requires program applicants to address teacher shortage demands and requires the employee to have completed at least two years of undergraduate college or university coursework with a demonstrated interest in obtaining a multiple or single subject credential.
3. Requires the CTC, subject to an appropriation for this purpose in the annual Budget Act, to issue a request for proposals to all school districts and county offices of education in the state in order to solicit applications for funding.
4. Requires the CTC to contract with an independent evaluator to conduct an evaluation once every five years, with the first evaluation being completed on or before July 1, 2021. Requires the CTC to submit the completed evaluation to the Governor and Legislature.
5. Increases the authorized grant amount per applicant from $3,500 to $4,000 per participant per year. Expresses Legislative intent that funding for the program be allocated to support up to 1,000 new participants per year. Makes funding contingent upon an appropriation in the annual budget act.

FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee:

1. Ongoing Proposition 98/General Fund cost pressure of at least $4 million to support the provision of $4,000 grant awards to 1,000 new participants each year.
2. Unknown ongoing administrative costs to the CTC to administer the grant program. Administrative costs will depend on the total amount of funding provided for the program. Generally, administrative costs are approximately 3% of the total grant program. The bill also requires an independent study. Although the exact cost of the study will be contingent upon the size and complexity of the program, given the goals of the bill, it is likely the study would be in the $250,000 range. The fund source for administrative support is unclear; though CCTC indicates they could fund these activities from the Teacher Credentialing Fund (special funds) if authorized by the Legislature.

COMMENTS:

Background. The PTTP was established in 1990 by SB 1690 (Roberti), Chapter 1444, Statutes of 1990) and has been reauthorized several times since. The first reauthorization, AB 352 (Keeley), Chapter 737, Statutes of 1997 and AB 353 (Wildman) Chapter 831, Statutes of 1997, also named the program the Wildman-Keeley-Solis Exemplary Teacher Training Act of 1997. The program provided academic scholarships and other related academic support services to individuals recruited from paraprofessional job classifications seeking a preliminary California teaching credential as a K-12 teacher. PTTP programs were sponsored by local school districts, county offices of education, and/or consortia that applied to the CTC for program funding based on a competitive grant application process.

History of funding. Although the PTTP was established in 1990, funding was not provided until 1994-95, at which time $1.5 million was provided to fund up to 600 paraprofessional participants at the rate of $3,000 per participant. An additional $10 million was provided in the 1999-2000 budget, but that was later reduced to $5.1 million in 2002 due to fiscal challenges faced by the state. In 2007, funding was increased another $1.2 million and the amount per participant was increased to $3,500 in recognition of higher tuition costs.

In 2008-09, the Legislature and Governor agreed to mid-year budget cuts in response to a recession-related decline in state revenues. Among the actions taken, funding for PTTP, along with many other categorical programs, was reduced and "flexed," meaning that school districts could spend the funds for other priorities. As a result of continued flexibility and the uncertainty of continued program funding, the CTC discontinued enrolling new participants in March 2011. With the enactment of the Local Control Funding Formula in 2013, all funding for PTTP was eliminated. Between the time the PTTP was first funded in 1994 and the time the CTC stopped enrolling new participants in 2011, the program resulted in more than 2,200 graduates.

This bill differs from the PTTP in two primary ways. First, it increases the grant amount for participants from $3,500 to $4,000. Second, any classified employee, not just paraprofessionals, is eligible to participate.

Analysis Prepared by: Rick Pratt / ED. / (916) 319-2087 FN: 0003354

Date of Hearing: April 27, 2016

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Lorena Gonzalez, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2122

Author:(McCarty) – As Amended Ver:April 14, 2016

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No

SUMMARY:

This bill re-establishes the Paraprofessional Teacher Training Program (PTTP) as the California Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program (CCSETCP) and expands authorized grant recipients beyond paraprofessionals to also to include all non-certificated school employees currently working in a public school. Specifically, this bill:

1. Makes private not-for-profit institutions of higher education (IHEs) that offer a Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) approved teacher preparation program eligible for participation in the program.
2. Removes certain criteria for participation, including program emphasis on bilingual cross-cultural teacher development, K-3 teacher development and special education teacher development. Instead, more broadly requires program applicants to address teacher shortage demands and requires the employee to have completed at least two years of undergraduate college or university coursework with a demonstrated interest in obtaining a multiple or single subject credential.
3. Requires the CCTC, subject to an appropriation for this purpose in the annual Budget Act, to issue a request for proposals to all school districts and county offices of education in the state in order to solicit applications for funding.
4. Requires the CCTC to contract with an independent evaluator to conduct an evaluation once every five years, with the first evaluation being completed on or before July 1, 2021. Requires the CCTC to submit the completed evaluation to the Governor and Legislature.
5. Increases the authorized grant amount per applicant from $3,500 to $4,000 per participant per year. Expresses Legislative intent that funding for the program be allocated to support up to 1,000 new participants per year. Makes funding contingent upon an appropriation in the annual budget act.

FISCAL EFFECT:

1. Ongoing Proposition 98/GF cost pressure of at least $4 million to support the provision of $4,000 grant awards to 1,000 new participants each year.
2. Unknown ongoing administrative costs to the CCTC to administer the grant program. Administrative costs will depend on the total amount of funding provided for the program. Generally, administrative costs are approximately 3% of the total grant program. The bill also requires an independent study. Although the exact cost of the study will be contingent upon the size and complexity of the program, given the goals of the bill, it is likely the study would be in the $250,000 range. The fund source for administrative support is unclear; though CCTC indicates they could fund these activities from the Teacher Credentialing Fund (special funds) if authorized by the Legislature.

COMMENTS:

1. Purpose. According to the CCTC, the primary purpose of the original PTTP was to create local career ladders that enable school paraprofessionals (teacher assistants, library, media aides, and instructional assistants) to become certificated classroom teachers in K-12 public schools. The PTTP was established in 1990 by SB 1690 (Roberti) Chapter 1444, Statutes of 1990 and has been reauthorized several times since. This bill differs from the original PTTP in two ways. First, it increases the grant amount for participants from $3,500 to $4,000. Second, all classified employees, not just paraprofessionals, are eligible to participate in the program.

According to the author, this bill is needed to help address California's teacher shortage. Enrollment in teacher preparation programs has dropped 70% in the last 10 years, and the supply of teachers is at a 12 year low. The author's office states that classified employees provide an invaluable pool of potential teachers to help meet this critical need.

1. Background. In 2008-09, the Legislature and the Governor agreed to mid-year budget cuts in response to a recession-related decline in state revenues. Funding for the PTTP was no longer identified as a per participant allocation and LEAs were authorized to use PTTP funds for any educational purpose. As a result of this flexibility, and the uncertainty of continued program funding, the CCTC discontinued enrolling new participants in March 2011. With the enactment of the Local Control Funding Formula in 2013, all funding for PTTP was eliminated. Between the time the PTTP was first funded in 1994 and the time the CTC stopped enrolling new participants in 2011, the program resulted in more than 2,200 graduates.

Analysis Prepared by: Misty Feusahrens / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: April 6, 2016

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Patrick O'Donnell, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2122 (

Author:McCarty) – As Introduced Ver:February 17, 2016

SUBJECT: California Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program

SUMMARY: Establishes the California Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program. Specifically, this bill:

1. Makes findings and declarations regarding the value of providing incentives to classified school employees to become certificated teachers as a means of reducing the teacher shortage and improving the diversity of the teacher workforce in California.
2. Renames the Wildman-Keeley-Solis Exemplary Teacher Training Act of 1977 the California Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program (CCSETCP).
3. Provides that the purpose of the CCSETCP is to recruit classified school employees to participate in a program to encourage them to enroll in teacher training programs and to provide instructional service as teachers the public schools.
4. Requires the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), subject to an appropriation for this purpose in the annual Budget Act, to issue a request for proposals to all school districts and county offices of education in the state in order to solicit applications for funding.
5. Requires the CTC to adopt criteria for the selection of program participants to include all of the following:
   1. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates the capacity and willingness to accommodate the participation of classified school employees in teacher training programs conducted at institutions of higher education;
   2. The extent to which the applicant’s plan for the implementation of its recruitment program involves the active participation of one or more local campuses of the participating institutions of higher education in the development of coursework and teaching programs for participating classified school employees;
   3. The extent to which the applicant’s plan for recruitment attempts to meet the demand of teacher shortages in shortage areas in kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive.
   4. The extent to which a developmentally sequenced series of job descriptions leads from an entry-level classified school employee position to an entry-level teaching position in that school district or county office of education; and
   5. The extent to which the applicant’s plan for recruitment attempts to meet its own specific teacher needs.
6. Requires each applicant that is selected to participate in the program to do all of the following:
   1. Enter into a written articulation agreement with the participating campuses of the institutions of higher education;
   2. Provide information about the program to all eligible classified school employees in the school district or county office of education and assistance to each classified school employee it recruits under the program regarding admission to a teacher training program;
   3. Require participants to satisfy the following requirements before participating in the program:
      1. Pass a criminal background check; and
      2. Provide verification of either an associate or higher level degree or completion of at least two years of study at a postsecondary institution.
   4. Certify that it has received a commitment from each participant that he or she will accomplish all of the following:
      1. Graduate from an institution of higher education under the program with a bachelor’s degree;
      2. Complete all of the requirements for and obtain a multiple subject, single subject, or education specialist teaching credential; and
      3. Complete one school year of classroom instruction in the school district or county office of education for each year that he or she receives assistance for books, fees, and tuition while attending an institution of higher education under the program.
7. Establishes the following definitions:
   1. “Applicant” means a school district or county office of education applying for program funds under the CCSETCP;
   2. “Institutions of higher education” means the California Community Colleges, the California State University, and the University California;
   3. “Participant” means a school paraprofessional who elects to participate in the CCSETCP;
   4. “Program” means the California Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program;
   5. “Classified school employee” means a non-certificated school employee currently working in a public school; and
   6. “Teacher training program” means an undergraduate or graduate program of instruction conducted by a campus of an institution of higher education that includes a developmentally sequenced career ladder to provide instruction, coursework, and clearly defined tasks for each level of the ladder, and that is designed to qualify students enrolled in the program for a teaching credential authorizing instruction in kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive.
8. Requires the CTC to contract with an independent evaluator with a proven record of experience in assessing teacher training programs to conduct an evaluation to determine the success of the program. The evaluation shall be conducted once every five years, with the first evaluation being completed on or before July 1, 2021. The commission shall submit the completed evaluation to the Governor and the education policy and fiscal committees of the Assembly and Senate.
9. Requires the CTC, on or before January 1 of each year, to report to the Legislature regarding the status of the program, including, but not limited to;
   1. The number of classified school employees recruited;
   2. The academic progress of the classified school employees recruited;
   3. The number of classified school employees recruited who are subsequently employed as teachers in the public schools; and
   4. The degree to which the applicant meets the teacher shortage needs of the school district or county office of education, and the ethnic and racial composition of the participants in the program.
10. Requires the report to be made in conformance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
11. Expresses the intent of the Legislature that, each fiscal year, funding for the CCSETCP be allocated to the CTC for grants for up to 1,000 new participants per year.
12. Provides that a grant to an applicant shall not exceed $4,000 per participant per year.
13. Provides that funding for grants to applicants shall be contingent upon an appropriation in the annual Budget Act.

EXISTING LAW: Establishes the California School Paraprofessional Teacher Training Program (PTTP), which provides grants to school paraprofessionals to enroll in and complete teacher preparation programs.

FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown

COMMENTS: The PTTP was established in 1990 by SB 1690 (Roberti, Chapter 1444, Statutes of 1990) and has been reauthorized several times since. The first reauthorization, Chapters 737 and 831, Statutes of 1997, also named the program the Wildman-Keeley-Solis Exemplary Teacher Training Act of 1977. The program provided academic scholarships and other related academic support services to individuals recruited from paraprofessional job classifications seeking a preliminary California teaching credential as a K-12 teacher. PTTP programs were sponsored by local school districts, county offices of education, and/or consortia that applied to the CTC for program funding based on a competitive grant application process.

Although the PTTP was established in 1990, funding was not provided until 1994-95, at which time $1.5 million was provided to fund up to 600 paraprofessional participants at the rate of $3,000 per participant. An additional $10 million was provided in the 1999-2000 budget, but that was later reduced to $5.1 million in 2002 due to fiscal challenges faced by the state. In 2007, funding was increased another $1.2 million and the amount per participant was increased to $3,500 in recognition of higher tuition costs.

In 2008-09, the Legislature and Governor agreed to mid-year budget cuts in response to a recession-related decline in state revenues. Among the actions taken, funding for PTTP, along with many other categorical programs, was reduced and "flexed," meaning that school districts could spend the funds for other priorities. As a result of continued flexibility and the uncertainty of continued program funding, the CTC discontinued enrolling new participants in March 2011. With the enactment of the Local Control Funding Formula in 2013, all funding for PTTP was eliminated. Between the time the PTTP was first funded in 1994 and the time the CTC stopped enrolling new participants in 2011, the program resulted in more than 2,200 graduates.

This bill differs from the PTTP in two primary ways. First, it increases the grant amount for participants from $3,500 to $4,000. Second, any classified employee, not just paraprofessionals, are eligible to participate.

Clarifying amendment needed. Although the bill intends to make the program available to all classified employees, it defines "participant" to mean a "school paraprofessional." Staff recommends the bill be amended to define "participant" to mean a "classified school employee."

Arguments in support. According to the author's office, this bill is needed to help address California's teacher shortage. Enrollment in teacher preparation programs has dropped 70% in the last 10 years, and the supply of teachers is at a 12 year low. The author's office argues that classified employees provide an invaluable pool of potential teachers to help meet this critical need.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

Advancement Project

Association of California School Administrators

California Catholic Conference, Inc.

California Federation of Teachers

California Labor Federation

California School Employees Association

LIUNA Locals 777

Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent, Michelle King

Public Advocates

Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Kenneth Young

Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Torlakson

Opposition

None received

Analysis Prepared by: Rick Pratt / ED. / (916) 319-2087