Existing law authorizes the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to issue single subject teaching credentials only in specific subjects.

This bill would add dance and theatre to the list of authorized subjects.

Existing law authorizes the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to authorize a person who holds a certain teaching credential and who has completed 20 semester hours of coursework or 10 semester hours of upper division or graduate coursework approved by the commission at an accredited institution in any subject commonly taught in grades 7 to 12, inclusive, other than the subject for which he or she is already certificated to teach, to have this subject appear on the credential as an authorization to teach this subject.

This bill would provide that a person issued a single subject teaching credential in physical education or English before the establishment of a single subject teaching credential in dance or theatre, respectively, is authorized to teach in dance or theatre, respectively. The bill would also provide that a person pursuing a single subject teaching credential in physical education or English before the establishment of a single subject teaching credential in dance or theatre shall not become subject to additional requirements for the single subject teaching credential in physical education or English, respectively, as a result of the authorization provided by this bill.

Existing law authorizes the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to issue single subject teaching credentials only in specific subjects.

This bill would add dance and theatre to the list of authorized subjects.

Existing law authorizes the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to authorize a person who holds a certain teaching credential and who has completed 20 semester hours of coursework or 10 semester hours of upper division or graduate coursework approved by the commission at an accredited institution in any subject commonly taught in grades 7 to 12, inclusive, other than the subject for which he or she is already certificated to teach, to have this subject appear on the credential as an authorization to teach this subject.

This bill would provide that a person issued a single subject teaching credential in physical education or English before the establishment of a single subject teaching credential in dance or theatre, respectively, is authorized to teach in dance or theatre, respectively. The bill would also provide that a person pursuing a single subject teaching credential in physical education or English before the establishment of a single subject teaching credential in dance or theatre shall not become subject to additional requirements for the single subject teaching credential in physical education or English, respectively, as a result of the authorization provided by this bill.

Existing law authorizes the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to issue single subject teaching credentials only in specific subjects.

This bill would add dance and theater theatre to the list of authorized subjects.

Existing law authorizes the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to authorize a person who holds a certain teaching credential and who has completed 20 semester hours of coursework or 10 semester hours of upper division or graduate coursework approved by the commission at an accredited institution in any subject commonly taught in grades 7 to 12, inclusive, other than the subject for which he or she is already certificated to teach, to have this subject appear on the credential as an authorization to teach this subject.

This bill would provide that a person issued a single subject teaching credential in physical education or English before the establishment of a single subject teaching credential in dance or theater, theatre, respectively, is authorized to teach in dance or theater, theatre, respectively. The bill would also provide that a person pursuing a single subject teaching credential in physical education or English before the establishment of a single subject teaching credential in dance or theater theatre shall not become subject to additional requirements for the single subject teaching credential in physical education or English, respectively, as a result of the authorization provided by this bill.

Existing law authorizes the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to issue single subject teaching credentials only in specific subjects.

This bill would add dance and theater to the list of authorized subjects.

Existing law authorizes the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to authorize a person who holds a certain teaching credential and who has completed 20 semester hours of coursework or 10 semester hours of upper division or graduate coursework approved by the commission at an accredited institution in any subject commonly taught in grades 7 to 12, inclusive, other than the subject for which he or she is already certificated to teach, to have this subject appear on the credential as an authorization to teach this subject.

This bill would provide that a person issued a single subject teaching credential in physical education or English before the establishment of a single subject teaching credential in dance or theater, respectively, is authorized to teach in dance or theater, respectively. The bill would also provide that a person pursuing a single subject teaching credential in physical education or English before the establishment of a single subject teaching credential in dance or theater shall not become subject to additional requirements for the single subject teaching credential in physical education or English, respectively, as a result of the authorization provided by this bill.

Existing law authorizes the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to issue single subject teaching credentials only in specific subjects.

This bill would add dance and theatre to the list of authorized subjects.

Existing law authorizes the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to authorize a person who holds a certain teaching credential and who has completed 20 semester hours of coursework or 10 semester hours of upper division or graduate coursework approved by the commission at an accredited institution in any subject commonly taught in grades 7 to 12, inclusive, other than the subject for which he or she is already certificated to teach, to have this subject appear on the credential as an authorization to teach this subject.

This bill would provide that a person issued a single subject teaching credential in physical education or English before the establishment of a single subject teaching credential in dance or theatre, respectively, is authorized to teach in dance or theatre, respectively.

 UNFINISHED BUSINESS  

Bill No: SB 916

Author:

:

Vote:

SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE: 9-0, 4/20/16

AYES: Liu, Block, Hancock, Huff, Leyva, Mendoza, Monning, Pan, Vidak

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 7-0, 5/27/16

AYES: Lara, Bates, Beall, Hill, McGuire, Mendoza, Nielsen

SENATE FLOOR: 39-0, 5/31/16

AYES: Allen, Anderson, Bates, Beall, Berryhill, Block, Cannella, De León, Fuller, Gaines, Galgiani, Glazer, Hall, Hancock, Hernandez, Hertzberg, Hill, Hueso, Huff, Jackson, Lara, Leno, Leyva, Liu, McGuire, Mendoza, Mitchell, Monning, Moorlach, Morrell, Nguyen, Nielsen, Pan, Pavley, Roth, Stone, Vidak, Wieckowski, Wolk

NO VOTE RECORDED: Runner

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 78-0, 8/18/16 - See last page for vote

SUBJECT:

SOURCE: California Dance Education Association

California Educational Theatre Association

DIGEST: This bill adds dance and theatre credentials to the existing list of 13 single subject credentials the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) is authorized to issue.

Assembly Amendments make a minor technical spelling change and add coauthors to the bill.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Authorizes the CTC to issue single subject teaching credentials in the following 13 subjects: agriculture, art, business, English, foreign language, health science, home economics, industrial and technology education, mathematics, music, physical education, science, and social science. The CTC is authorized to issue the single subject credential in foreign language with an authorization to teach Chinese, French, German, Russian, Spanish, or any other language that the CTC determines is appropriate. (Education Code § 44257)
2. Authorizes the CTC to issue a multiple or single subject teaching credential with a specified concentration in a particular subject based upon the depth of an applicant’s preparation in an important subject of the school curriculum in order to ensure excellence in teaching in specific subjects. (Education Code § 44257.2)
3. Authorizes the CTC to issue credentials for teaching specialties, including bilingual education, early childhood education, and special education. Education specialist teaching credentials are to be based upon a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, completion of a program of professional preparation, and standards that the CTC may establish. (Education Code § 44265)
4. Specifies that school districts maintaining grades 7-12 must offer, among other courses, visual and performing arts, including art, music, theatre, or dance, with emphasis upon development of aesthetic appreciation and the skills of creative expression. (Education Code § 51220)

This bill:

1. Adds dance and theatre credentials to the existing list of 13 single subject credentials the CTC is authorized to issue.
2. Provides that a person issued a single subject teaching credential in English before the establishment of a single subject teaching credential in theatre is authorized to teach theatre. Provides that a person pursuing a single subject teaching credential in English before the establishment of a single subject teaching credential in theatre shall not become subject to additional requirements as a result of the authorization of a theatre credential.
3. Provides that a person issued a single subject teaching credential in physical education before the establishment of a single subject teaching credential in dance is authorized to teach dance. Provides that a person pursuing a single subject teaching credential in physical education before the establishment of a single subject teaching credential in dance shall not become subject to additional requirements as a result of the authorization of a dance credential.
4. Provides that nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a school district from employing a person who holds a single subject teaching credential in another subject with an authorization to teach theatre from teaching theatre, or a person who holds a single subject teaching credential in another subject with an authorization to teach dance from teaching dance.

Comments

Need for the bill. According to the author’s office, “in order to teach dance, a teacher must obtain a credential in physical education, even though the standards for teaching dance are separate from the standards for teaching physical education. Similarly, to teach theatre, an instructor must obtain an English credential, even though an English credential provides no training in theatre instruction. Dance and theatre are the only two subject areas with discrete subject standards that are not taught under their own single-subject credential.”

The author’s office indicates that dance and theatre undergraduate majors are prevalent in California with 73 public and private colleges and universities offering dance majors, and 131 colleges offering theatre majors. These students earning degrees in dance or theatre are unable to teach in their respective fields unless they get a credential in physical education or English.

Visual and performing arts framework. Existing law specifies that school districts maintaining grades 7-12 must offer courses in visual and performing arts, including art, music, theatre, or dance, with emphasis upon development if aesthetic appreciation and the skills of creative expression. Additionally, the framework and content standards for visual and performing arts adopted by the State Board of Education include the four disciplines of dance, music, theater, and visual arts. Two of these content areas, art and music, have single subject credential authorizations. However, the other two content areas of dance and theatre do not have single subject credentials despite having discrete content standards.

Current options for teaching theatre and dance. Single subject credentials in dance or theatre do not currently exist in the state and are subsumed within the physical education and English single subject credentials. There are subject matter authorizations which may be added to single subject, multiple subject, standard elementary, standard secondary, and special secondary teaching credentials. This enables the credential holder to teach an authorized subject at any grade level, including an authorization to teach dance as part of the physical education department or theatre as part of the English department. The subject matter authorization typically requires completion of 32 semester units of non-remedial coursework in the subject or major directly related to the subject listed on the credential.

Additionally, a supplementary authorization may be added to the various teaching credentials for any grade level. Similarly, dance courses may be found within the physical education department while theatre courses may be found as part of the English department. A supplementary authorization typically requires completion of 20 semester units of collegiate coursework in the subject or 10 upper division and graduate coursework in the specific subject of the authorization.

Impact on the existing authorizations? While this bill adds the authority for the CTC to issue single subject credentials in dance and theatre, it does not appear to expressly prohibit the continued use of the existing authorizations to teach dance and theatre courses. To the extent that there is ambiguity on this bill’s implications, the author may wish to consider addressing this as the bill moves forward.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Fiscal Com.: Local:

According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, there would be one-time administrative costs to the CTC in the range of $400,000 to $500,000 [Test Development and Administration Account (TDAA)] to develop credential standards and develop both the dance and theater exams for certification. The TDAA currently has a reserve of $2.9 million.

SUPPORT: (Verified 8/19/16)

California Dance Education Association (co-source)

California Educational Theatre Association (co-source)

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson

Arts for LA

Arts Orange County

California Alliance for Arts Education

California Art Education Association

California Arts Advocates

California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance

California Federation of Teachers

California Music Educators Association

California State PTA

California Teachers Association

City of Santa Monica

Common Sense Kids Action

County of Los Angeles

Educational Theatre Association

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors

Los Angeles Unified School District

Loyola High School

National Art Education Association

National Association for Music Education

National Dance Education Organization

National Educational Theatre Association

Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists

Teaching Artists Guild

United Teachers Los Angeles

University of Southern California

Several individuals

OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/18/16)

None received

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 78-0, 8/18/16

AYES: Achadjian, Alejo, Travis Allen, Arambula, Atkins, Baker, Bigelow, Bloom, Bonilla, Bonta, Brough, Brown, Burke, Calderon, Campos, Chang, Chau, Chávez, Chiu, Chu, Cooley, Cooper, Dababneh, Dahle, Daly, Dodd, Eggman, Frazier, Beth Gaines, Gallagher, Cristina Garcia, Eduardo Garcia, Gatto, Gipson, Gomez, Gonzalez, Gordon, Gray, Grove, Hadley, Harper, Holden, Irwin, Jones, Jones-Sawyer, Lackey, Levine, Linder, Lopez, Low, Maienschein, Mathis, Mayes, McCarty, Medina, Melendez, Mullin, Nazarian, Obernolte, O'Donnell, Olsen, Patterson, Quirk, Ridley-Thomas, Rodriguez, Salas, Santiago, Steinorth, Mark Stone, Thurmond, Ting, Wagner, Waldron, Weber, Wilk, Williams, Wood, Rendon

NO VOTE RECORDED: Roger Hernández, Kim

Prepared by:

8/19/16 19:37:20

**** END ****

SENATE THIRD READING

STR Bill Id:SB 916

Author:(Allen)

As Amended Ver:August 15, 2016

Majority vote

SENATE VOTE: 39-0

SUMMARY: Authorizes single subject teaching credentials in dance and theatre. Specifically, this bill:

1. Adds single subject teaching credentials in dance and theatre to the current list of 13 single subject teaching credentials.
2. States that a person issued a single subject teaching credential in physical education or dance before the establishment of single subject teaching credentials in dance and theatre is authorized to teach dance or theatre, respectively.
3. States that a person pursuing a single subject teaching credential in physical education or English before the establishment of a single subject teaching credential in dance and theatre shall not become subject to additional requirements as a result of this bill.
4. States that nothing in the act shall be construed to prohibit a school district from employing a person who holds a single subject teaching credential in another subject with an authorization to teach theatre from teaching theatre, or a person who holds a single subject teaching credential in another subject with an authorization to teach dance from teaching dance.

FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, one-time administrative costs to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) in the range of $400,000 to $500,000 (Test Development and Administration Account (TDAA)) to develop credential standards and develop both the dance and theatre exams for certification. The TDAA currently has a reserve of $2.9 million.

COMMENTS:

Need for the bill. The author's office states: "In order to teach dance, a teacher must obtain a credential in physical education, even though the standards for teaching dance are separate from the standards for teaching physical education. Similarly, to teach theatre, an instructor must obtain an English credential, even though an English credential provides no training in theatre instruction. Dance and theatre are the only two subject areas with discrete subject standards that are not taught under their own single-subject credential."

The author's office reports that dance and theatre undergraduate majors are numerous in California, with 73 public and private colleges and universities offering dance majors, and 131 colleges offering theatre majors. The author notes that students who earn degrees in dance or theatre are unable to teach in their respective fields unless they earn a credential in physical education or English.

Proponents of the establishment of these credentials argue that 1) the current system reflects a lack of alignment between the preparation teachers must undergo and the content which they expect to teach, and 2) that this system dissuades individuals wishing to teach dance and theatre from entering the teaching profession, due both to misaligned preparation requirements and the possibility of being assigned to teach outside of their intended subject area.

History of dance and theatre credentials in California. According to the California Alliance for Arts Education, in the 1960's teaching credentials in dance and theatre were authorized under the Fisher Act of 1961.

The elimination of these credentials was a result of the Teacher Preparation and Licensing Law of 1970, known as the Ryan Act, which removed the "s" from the word "arts." The effect of this omission (which is believed to have been unintentional) is that the authorization in current law has since been interpreted to authorize credentials only in visual art (and music under separate authorization). As a result, for over forty years California has authorized single subject credentials in music and visual arts, but no single subject credentials specific to dance or theatre. As noted above, under current law individuals seeking to teach dance and theatre must earn physical education and English credentials, respectively.

Over the years there have been a number of legislative attempts to establish single subject credentials in dance and theatre. According to the California Alliance for Arts Education, in the early 1990's Senator Patrick Johnston authored two bills to establish these credentials, but these were withdrawn for lack of support. In the late 1990's Assemblymember Susan Davis authored two bills to establish these credentials but they were vetoed or withdrawn under threat of veto. The CTC has also attempted to address this issue. In 2013, the Teacher Advisory Panel (TAP) to the CTC recommended the establishment of single subject credentials in dance and theatre, and staff developed a proposal to create a Visual and Performing Arts credential with concentrations in dance, theatre, music, and visual arts. This proposal did not move forward due to stakeholder concerns.

The primary objections raised to the establishment of these credentials have been that 1) the establishment of these credentials represents an unnecessary, and potentially precedent-setting, proliferation of credential types, 2) more narrow credentials may make holders less employable, and 3) more narrow credentials may make it more difficult for districts, particularly smaller districts which have small enrollments in these subjects, to hire qualified teachers.

Alignment between dance and theatre content standards and credentialing requirements. Current law authorizes the establishment of content standards in visual and performing arts, English language arts, and physical education. The CTC aligns its subject matter preparation requirements to the state's content standards.

While credentialing requirements place dance and theatre in physical education and English subjects, the state's academic content standards in those subjects are found in the Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) standards, which cover music, dance, theatre, and visual arts. This means that while all four of the VAPA disciplines have discrete content standards, two of them have single subject credentials aligned to the standards, and two do not. It also means that teachers undergoing preparation for dance and theatre must be prepared in content standards which are different from those specific to the subject they intend to teach.

The 2013 TAP report to the CTC illustrated the preparation alignment issues in dance and theatre. For dance, the TAP noted that the VAPA framework directs teachers to instruct students on the concepts of time, space, force/energy use, costume, setting, music/rhythm, choreography and cultural context, and that in order to master these concepts students "must be engaged with a wide range of materials and be given ample opportunity to develop and apply their dance concepts, artistic skills, aesthetic sense, and vocabulary." The TAP noted that, in contrast, the physical education framework directs teachers to instruct students on "understanding and mastering the movements needed to perform physical activities and acquiring the knowledge base and habits needed to maintain physical fitness and health." The TAP concluded that the frameworks "clearly emphasize different bodies of knowledge and different applications, each with distinct intellectual and disciplinary roots."

Similarly, the TAP noted that while both the theatre standards and the (2007) English language arts standards emphasize the interpretation and understanding of text and its historical/cultural/social context, the VAPA standards for theatre include a number of additional concepts not found in the English/language arts standards, including "the vocabulary of theatre (acting values, style, genre and theme), the historical and cultural roles of the theatre, the social, cultural, political and artistic contexts that produced genres of and key works in theatre, elements of interpretation and dramatic performance techniques, knowledge of the technical aspects of theatrical productions in multiple media, and knowledge of the key roles in theatrical productions (director, actor, stage manager, costume designer, etc.)." The TAP also noted that the theatre standards include a heavier emphasis on multiple media for the theatre arts (stage, film/video, electronic media) than is included the English/language arts standards.

Future of the existing authorization. While the bill adds the authority for the CTC to issue single subject credentials in dance and theatre, it does not appear to expressly prohibit the continued use of the existing credentials to teach dance and theatre courses. Maintaining this pathway would allow teachers to decide between obtaining a broader or more narrow authorization, and would give districts the same choice in hiring. The continuation of this option was recommended in the 2013 TAP report to the CTC.

Analysis Prepared by: Tanya Lieberman / ED. / (916) 319-2087 FN: 0004060

Date of Hearing: June 29, 2016

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Lorena Gonzalez, Chair

SBPCA Bill Id:SB 916

Author:(Allen) – As Amended Ver:April 27, 2016

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

SUMMARY:

This bill authorizes the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) to issue a single subject teaching credential in dance and theater. This bill also includes a grandfather provision to allow a person issued a credential in English prior to the establishment of a credential in theater, to teach theater and a person issued a credential in physical education before the establishment of a teaching credential in dance, to teach dance.

FISCAL EFFECT:

One-time administrative costs to the CCTC in the range of $400,000 to $500,000 [Test Development and Administration Account (TDAA)] to develop credential standards and develop both the dance and theater exams for certification. The TDAA currently has a reserve of $2.9 million.

COMMENTS:

1. Purpose. Under current law, a teacher must obtain a credential in physical education to teach dance and an instructor must obtain a credential in English to teach theater. According to the author, the standards for teaching dance are separate from the standards for teaching physical education, and an English credential provides no training in theater instruction. The California Alliance for Arts Education is sponsoring this bill to enable students to receive dance and theater instruction from teachers who have been trained to deliver standards-based education.
2. Background. Prior to 1970, the state authorized credentials in dance and theater. These credentials were eliminated when the Teacher Preparation and Licensing Law of 1970 (also known as the Ryan Act) was enacted. Several legislative attempts have been made over the years to reauthorize these credentials but measures have stalled due to opposition.

The CCTC has also attempted to address this issue. In 2013, the Teacher Advisory Panel (TAP) to the CCTC recommended the establishment of single subject credentials in dance and theatre, and staff developed a proposal to create a Visual and Performing Arts credential with concentrations in dance, theatre, music, and visual arts. This proposal did not move forward due to stakeholder concerns. Staff notes there is no registered opposition to this bill.

Supporters also note that alignment is needed between dance and theater content standards and credentialing requirements. The framework and content standards for visual and performing arts include the four disciplines of dance, music, theater, and visual arts. The CTC aligns its subject matter preparation requirements to the state’s content standards. Art and music have single subject credential authorizations but dance and theater do not.

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

Date of Hearing: June 22, 2016

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Patrick O'Donnell, Chair

SBPCA Bill Id:SB 916

Author:(Allen) – As Amended Ver:April 27, 2016

SENATE VOTE: 39-0

SUBJECT: Teacher credentialing

SUMMARY: Authorizes single subject teaching credentials in dance and theatre. Specifically, this bill:

1. Adds single subject teaching credentials in dance and theatre to the current list of 13 single subject teaching credentials.
2. States that a person issued a single subject teaching credential in physical education or dance before the establishment of single subject teaching credentials in dance and theatre is authorized to teach dance or theatre, respectively.
3. States that a person pursuing a single subject teaching credential in physical education or English before the establishment of a single subject teaching credential in dance and theatre is not become subject to additional requirements as a result of this bill.
4. States that nothing in the act shall be construed to prohibit a school district from employing a person who holds a single subject teaching credential in another subject with an authorization to teach theatre from teaching theatre, or a person who holds a single subject teaching credential in another subject with an authorization to teach dance from teaching dance.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Authorizes the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) to issue single subject teaching credentials in agriculture, art, business, English, foreign language, health science, home economics, industrial and technology education, mathematics, music, physical education, science, and social science.
2. Authorizes the CTC to issue a multiple or single subject teaching credential with a specified concentration in a particular subject based upon the depth of an applicant’s preparation in an important subject of the school curriculum in order to ensure excellence in teaching in specific subjects.
3. Authorizes the CTC to issue credentials for teaching specialties, including bilingual education, early childhood education, and special education. Education specialist teaching credentials are to be based upon a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, completion of a program of professional preparation, and standards that the CTC may establish.
4. Requires students to successfully complete a course in visual and performing arts (VAPA), foreign language, or career technical education in order to graduate from high school.
5. Establishes that visual and performing arts, including dance, music, theatre, and visual arts are part of the adopted course of study for grades 1-12.

FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, the CTC anticipates the cost to implement this bill would be between $400,000 and $500,000 to develop credential standards and develop both the dance and theatre exams for certification. To the extent the intent of this bill is to no longer allow future physical education and English teachers to be authorized to teach dance and theatre respectively, the CTC would incur additional costs to redevelop those exams. (Test Development and Administration Account)

COMMENTS:

Need for the bill. The author’s office states: “In order to teach dance, a teacher must obtain a credential in physical education, even though the standards for teaching dance are separate from the standards for teaching physical education. Similarly, to teach theatre, an instructor must obtain an English credential, even though an English credential provides no training in theatre instruction. Dance and theatre are the only two subject areas with discrete subject standards that are not taught under their own single-subject credential.”

The author’s office reports that dance and theatre undergraduate majors are numerous in California, with 73 public and private colleges and universities offering dance majors, and 131 colleges offering theatre majors. The author notes that students who earn degrees in dance or theatre are unable to teach in their respective fields unless they earn a credential in physical education or English.

Proponents of the establishment of these credentials argue that 1) the current system reflects a lack of alignment between the preparation teachers must undergo and the content which they expect to teach, and 2) that this system dissuades individuals wishing to teach dance and theatre from entering the teaching profession, due both to misaligned preparation requirements and the possibility of being assigned to teach outside of their intended subject area.

History of dance and theatre credentials in California. According to the California Alliance for Arts Education, in the 1960’s teaching credentials in dance and theatre were authorized under the Fisher Act of 1961.

The elimination of these credentials was a result of the Teacher Preparation and Licensing Law of 1970, known as the Ryan Act, which removed the “s” from the word “arts.” The effect of this omission (which is believed to have been unintentional) is that the authorization in current law has since been interpreted to authorize credentials only in visual art (and music under separate authorization). As a result, for over forty years California has authorized single subject credentials in music and visual arts, but no single subject credentials specific to dance or theatre. As noted above, under current law individuals seeking to teach dance and theatre must earn physical education and English credentials, respectively.

Over the years there have been a number of legislative attempts to establish single subject credentials in dance and theatre. According to the California Alliance for Arts Education, in the early 1990’s Senator Patrick Johnston authored two bills to establish these credentials, but these were withdrawn for lack of support. In the late 1990’s Assemblymember Susan Davis authored two bills to establish these credentials but they were vetoed or withdrawn under threat of veto. The CTC has also attempted to address this issue. In 2013, the Teacher Advisory Panel (TAP) to the CTC recommended the establishment of single subject credentials in dance and theatre, and staff developed a proposal to create a Visual and Performing Arts credential with concentrations in dance, theatre, music, and visual arts. This proposal did not move forward due to stakeholder concerns.

The primary objections raised to the establishment of these credentials have been that 1) the establishment of these credentials represents an unnecessary, and potentially precedent-setting, proliferation of credential types, 2) more narrow credentials may make holders less employable, and 3) more narrow credentials may make it more difficult for districts, particularly smaller districts which have small enrollments in these subjects, to hire qualified teachers.

Alignment between dance and theatre content standards and credentialing requirements. Current law authorizes the establishment of content standards in visual and performing arts, English language arts, and physical education. The CTC aligns its subject matter preparation requirements to the state’s content standards.

While credentialing requirements place dance and theatre in physical education and English subjects, the state’s academic content standards in those subjects are found in the VAPA standards, which cover music, dance, theatre, and visual arts. This means that while all four of the VAPA disciplines have discrete content standards, two of them have single subject credentials aligned to the standards, and two do not. It also means that teachers undergoing preparation for dance and theatre must be prepared in content standards which are different from those specific to the subject they intend to teach.

The 2013 TAP report to the CTC illustrated the preparation alignment issues in dance and theatre. For dance, the TAP noted that the VAPA framework directs teachers to instruct students on the concepts of time, space, force/energy use, costume, setting, music/rhythm, choreography and cultural context, and that in order to master these concepts students “must be engaged with a wide range of materials and be given ample opportunity to develop and apply their dance concepts, artistic skills, aesthetic sense, and vocabulary.” The TAP noted that, in contrast, the physical education framework directs teachers to instruct students on “understanding and mastering the movements needed to perform physical activities and acquiring the knowledge base and habits needed to maintain physical fitness and health.” The TAP concluded that the frameworks “clearly emphasize different bodies of knowledge and different applications, each with distinct intellectual and disciplinary roots.”

Similarly, the TAP noted that while both the theatre standards and the (2007) English language arts standards emphasize the interpretation and understanding of text and its historical/cultural/social context, the VAPA standards for theatre include a number of additional concepts not found in the English/language arts standards, including “the vocabulary of theatre (acting values, style, genre and theme), the historical and cultural roles of the theatre, the social, cultural, political and artistic contexts that produced genres of and key works in theatre, elements of interpretation and dramatic performance techniques, knowledge of the technical aspects of theatrical productions in multiple media, and knowledge of the key roles in theatrical productions (director, actor, stage manager, costume designer, etc.).” The TAP also noted that the theatre standards include a heavier emphasis on multiple media for the theatre arts (stage, film/video, electronic media) than is included the English/language arts standards.

Future of the existing authorization. While the bill adds the authority for the CTC to issue single subject credentials in dance and theatre, it does not appear to expressly prohibit the continued use of the existing credentials to teach dance and theatre courses. Maintaining this pathway would allow teachers to decide between obtaining a broader or more narrow authorization, and would give districts the same choice in hiring. The continuation of this option was recommended in the 2013 TAP report to the CTC.

Course enrollment and staffing in visual and performing arts. According to the California Department of Education (CDE), enrollment in visual and performing arts courses in 2015-16 totaled nearly 1.3 million students, with the following enrollments: art (572,000), music (510,000), dance (50,000), and theatre (133,000). CDE estimates that this enrollment represents full time equivalent of 3,800 art teachers, 3,300 music teachers, 300 dance teachers, and 900 theatre teachers.

Prior legislation. AB 2254 (Calderon) of the 2013-14 Session would have stated the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to authorize the development of single subject teaching credentials, one in dance and one in theatre. This bill was never heard in a Committee.

AB 752 (Davis, 1999) would have created an emphasis credential in theatre and dance to holders of English and physical education credentials. This measure passed the Legislature and was enrolled to the Governor, but subsequently withdrawn at the author’s request.

AB 1052 (Davis, 1998), similar to this measure, proposed to provide a single subject credential in dance and theatre but was vetoed by Governor Wilson with the following message:

This bill would require the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to adopt regulations establishing new standards for theatre and dance teachers within existing single subject teaching credentials. Appreciation of the arts is an important part of every child’s education, and should be encouraged. But this bill imposes a needless and unrealistic burden upon the holders of most single subject credentials that is wholly unrelated to their chosen discipline. A far more relevant and appropriate approach to achieving the same result was that taken by Senate Concurrent Resolution 31 of 1994.

SCR 31 (Johnston) of 1994 requested that the Commission review and assess the adequacy of the teaching of dance and theatre in California classrooms, and report its findings to the Legislature.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

California Dance Education Association (sponsor)

California Educational Theatre Association (sponsor)

California Alliance for Arts Education

California Art Education Association

California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance

California Federation of Teachers

California Music Educators Association

California Teachers Association

City of Santa Monica

Common Sense Kids Action

County of Los Angeles

Educational Theatre Association

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors

Los Angeles Unified School District

Loyola High School

National Association for Music Education

National Art Education Association

National Dance Education Organization

Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists

University of Southern California

Numerous individuals

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Tanya Lieberman / ED. / (916) 319-2087

 THIRD READING  

Bill No: SB 916

Author:

:

Vote:

SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE: 9-0, 4/20/16

AYES: Liu, Block, Hancock, Huff, Leyva, Mendoza, Monning, Pan, Vidak

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 7-0, 5/27/16

AYES: Lara, Bates, Beall, Hill, McGuire, Mendoza, Nielsen

SUBJECT:

SOURCE: California Alliance for Arts Education

DIGEST: This bill adds dance and theatre credentials to the existing list of 13 single subject credentials the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) is authorized to issue.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Authorizes the CTC to issue single subject teaching credentials in the following 13 subjects: agriculture, art, business, English, foreign language, health science, home economics, industrial and technology education, mathematics, music, physical education, science, and social science. The CTC is authorized to issue the single subject credential in foreign language with an authorization to teach Chinese, French, German, Russian, Spanish, or any other language that the CTC determines is appropriate. (Education Code § 44257)
2. Authorizes the CTC to issue a multiple or single subject teaching credential with a specified concentration in a particular subject based upon the depth of an applicant’s preparation in an important subject of the school curriculum in order to ensure excellence in teaching in specific subjects. (Education Code § 44257.2)
3. Authorizes the CTC to issue credentials for teaching specialties, including bilingual education, early childhood education, and special education. Education specialist teaching credentials are to be based upon a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, completion of a program of professional preparation, and standards that the CTC may establish. (Education Code § 44265)
4. Specifies that school districts maintaining grades 7-12 must offer, among other courses, visual and performing arts, including art, music, theatre, or dance, with emphasis upon development of aesthetic appreciation and the skills of creative expression. (Education Code § 51220)

This bill:

1. Adds dance and theatre credentials to the existing list of 13 single subject credentials the CTC is authorized to issue.
2. Provides that a person issued a single subject teaching credential in English before the establishment of a single subject teaching credential in theatre is authorized to teach theatre. Provides that a person pursuing a single subject teaching credential in English before the establishment of a single subject teaching credential in theatre shall not become subject to additional requirements as a result of the authorization of a theatre credential.
3. Provides that a person issued a single subject teaching credential in physical education before the establishment of a single subject teaching credential in dance is authorized to teach dance. Provides that a person pursuing a single subject teaching credential in physical education before the establishment of a single subject teaching credential in dance shall not become subject to additional requirements as a result of the authorization of a dance credential.
4. Provides that nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a school district from employing a person who holds a single subject teaching credential in another subject with an authorization to teach theatre from teaching theatre, or a person who holds a single subject teaching credential in another subject with an authorization to teach dance from teaching dance.

Comments

Need for the bill. According to the author’s office, “in order to teach dance, a teacher must obtain a credential in physical education, even though the standards for teaching dance are separate from the standards for teaching physical education. Similarly, to teach theatre, an instructor must obtain an English credential, even though an English credential provides no training in theatre instruction. Dance and theatre are the only two subject areas with discrete subject standards that are not taught under their own single-subject credential.”

The author’s office indicates that dance and theatre undergraduate majors are prevalent in California with 73 public and private colleges and universities offering dance majors, and 131 colleges offering theatre majors. These students earning degrees in dance or theatre are unable to teach in their respective fields unless they get a credential in physical education or English.

Visual and performing arts framework. Existing law specifies that school districts maintaining grades 7-12 must offer courses in visual and performing arts, including art, music, theatre, or dance, with emphasis upon development if aesthetic appreciation and the skills of creative expression. Additionally, the framework and content standards for visual and performing arts adopted by the State Board of Education include the four disciplines of dance, music, theater, and visual arts. Two of these content areas, art and music, have single subject credential authorizations. However, the other two content areas of dance and theatre do not have single subject credentials despite having discrete content standards.

Current options for teaching theatre and dance. Single subject credentials in dance or theatre do not currently exist in the state and are subsumed within the physical education and English single subject credentials. There are subject matter authorizations which may be added to single subject, multiple subject, standard elementary, standard secondary, and special secondary teaching credentials. This enables the credential holder to teach an authorized subject at any grade level, including an authorization to teach dance as part of the physical education department or theatre as part of the English department. The subject matter authorization typically requires completion of 32 semester units of non-remedial coursework in the subject or major directly related to the subject listed on the credential.

Additionally, a supplementary authorization may be added to the various teaching credentials for any grade level. Similarly, dance courses may be found within the physical education department while theatre courses may be found as part of the English department. A supplementary authorization typically requires completion of 20 semester units of collegiate coursework in the subject or 10 upper division and graduate coursework in the specific subject of the authorization.

Impact on the existing authorizations? While this bill adds the authority for the CTC to issue single subject credentials in dance and theatre, it does not appear to expressly prohibit the continued use of the existing authorizations to teach dance and theatre courses. To the extent that there is ambiguity on this bill’s implications, the author may wish to consider addressing this as the bill moves forward.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Fiscal Com.: Local:

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, the CTC anticipates the cost to implement this bill will be between $400,000 and $500,000 to develop credential standards and develop both the dance and theater exams for certification. To the extent the intent of this bill is to no longer allow future physical education and English teachers to be authorized to teach dance and theater respectively, the CTC would incur additional costs to redevelop those exams.

SUPPORT: (Verified 5/27/16)

California Alliance for Arts Education (source)

Arts for LA

Arts Orange County

California Arts Advocates

California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance

California Educational Theatre Association

California Federation of Teachers

California Music Educators Association

California State PTA

California Teachers Association

City of Santa Monica

Common Sense Kids Action

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors

Los Angeles Unified School District

National Art Education Association

National Association for Music Education

National Dance Education Organization

National Educational Theatre Association

Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists

Teaching Artists Guild

United Teachers Los Angeles

Several individuals

OPPOSITION: (Verified 5/27/16)

None received

Prepared by:

5/28/16 16:45:54

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SENATE COMMITTEE ON

Senator Ricardo Lara, Chair

2015 - 2016 Regular Session

SB 916 (Allen) - Teacher credentialing

This bill meets the criteria for referral to the Suspense File.

Bill Summary: This bill requires the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) to issue two new single subject teaching credentials; one in dance and one in theater.

Fiscal Summary: The CTC anticipates the cost to implement this bill would be between $400,000 and $500,000 to develop credential standards and develop both the dance and theater exams for certification. To the extent the intent of this bill is to no longer allow future physical education and English teachers to be authorized to teach dance and theater respectively, the CTC would incur additional costs to redevelop those exams. (Test Development and Administration Account)

Background: Existing law authorizes the CTC to issue single subject teaching credentials in 13 subjects. It also requires that school districts maintaining grades 7-12 must offer, among other courses, visual and performing arts, including art, music, theater, or dance, with emphasis upon development of aesthetic appreciation and the skills of creative expression. The visual and performance arts content standards and curriculum framework adopted by the State Board of Education include four disciplines of dance, music, theater, and visual arts. Two of these content areas, art and music, have single subject credential authorizations. However, the other two content areas of dance and theater do not have single subject credentials despite having discrete content standards.

Currently dance and theater are subsumed within the physical education and English single subject credentials. Dance courses may be offered in departments such as physical education or anthropology. Theater course work may be found in the English, drama, and theatre departments. A specific subject matter authorization can be added to a single subject teaching credential and other credentials, which authorizes the holder to teach specific subjects, including dance and theater, at any grade level.

Also, a supplementary authorization may be added to various teaching credentials, including the single subject teaching credential. According to the CTC Subject Matter Authorization Guideline Book, one major difference between the supplementary authorizations and the subject matter authorizations is the option of adding the specific subject authorizations to both single and multiple subject credentials whereas specific supplementary authorizations may only be added to single subject credentials.

Proposed Law: This bill requires the CTC to issue two new single subject teaching credentials; one in dance and one in theater. This bill grandfathers in people that have been issued a single subject teaching credential in English before the establishment of the new credential in theater, allowing them to continue to teach theater. The same grandfathering-in provision applies to physical education and dance. This bill also provides that nothing in it shall be construed to prohibit a school district from employing a person who holds a single subject teaching credential in another subject with an authorization to teach theater from teaching theater, or a person who holds a credential in another subject with an authorization to teach dance, from teaching dance.

Related Legislation: AB 752 (Davis, 2000) proposed to create an emphasis credential in theater and dance to holders of English and physical education credentials. This measure was vetoed by Governor Davis.

AB 1024 (Davis, 1998), similar to this bill, proposed to provide a single subject credential in dance and theater but was vetoed by Governor Wilson, whose veto message indicated that it imposes a needless and unrealistic burden upon the holders of most single subject credentials that is wholly unrelated to their chosen discipline.

Staff Comments: The Test Development and Administration Account was created in the Teacher Credentials Fund as a depository for all fees collected by the CTC for tests, examinations, or assessments, as specified, for the development, maintenance, or administration of tests or other assessments established, required, or administered by the CTC. As of the 2016-17 Governor’s Budget, this account had a reserve of $2.9 million in the 2014-15 fiscal year.

-- END --

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Senator Carol Liu, Chair

2015 - 2016 Regular

Bill No: SB 916

Subject: Teacher credentialing

SUMMARY

This bill adds dance and theatre credentials to the existing list of 13 single subject credentials the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) is authorized to issue.

BACKGROUND

Existing law:

1. Authorizes the CTC to issue single subject teaching credentials in the following 13 subjects: agriculture, art, business, English, foreign language, health science, home economics, industrial and technology education, mathematics, music, physical education, science, and social science. The CTC is authorized to issue the single subject credential in foreign language with an authorization to teach Chinese, French, German, Russian, Spanish, or any other language that the CTC determines is appropriate. (Education Code § 44257)
2. Authorizes the CTC to issue a multiple or single subject teaching credential with a specified concentration in a particular subject based upon the depth of an applicant’s preparation in an important subject of the school curriculum in order to ensure excellence in teaching in specific subjects.

(Education Code § 44257.2)

1. Authorizes the CTC to issue credentials for teaching specialties, including bilingual education, early childhood education, and special education. Education specialist teaching credentials are to be based upon a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, completion of a program of professional preparation, and standards that the CTC may establish.

(Education Code § 44265)

1. Specifies that school districts maintaining grades 7-12 must offer, among other courses, visual and performing arts, including art, music, theatre, or dance, with emphasis upon development of aesthetic appreciation and the skills of creative expression. (Education Code § 51220)

ANALYSIS

This bill:

1. Adds dance and theatre credentials to the existing list of 13 single subject credentials the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) is authorized to issue.
2. Provides that a person issued a single subject teaching credential in English before the establishment of a single subject teaching credential in theatre is authorized to teach theatre.
3. Provides that a person issued a single subject teaching credential in physical education before the establishment of a single subject teaching credential in dance is authorized to teach dance.
4. Provides that nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a school district from employing a person who holds a single subject teaching credential in another subject with an authorization to teach theatre from teaching theatre, or a person who holds a single subject teaching credential in another subject with an authorization to teach dance from teaching dance.

STAFF COMMENTS

1. Need for the bill. According to the author’s office, “in order to teach dance, a teacher must obtain a credential in physical education, even though the standards for teaching dance are separate from the standards for teaching physical education. Similarly, to teach theatre, an instructor must obtain an English credential, even though an English credential provides no training in theatre instruction. Dance and theatre are the only two subject areas with discrete subject standards that are not taught under their own single-subject credential.”

The author’s office indicates that dance and theatre undergraduate majors are prevalent in California with 73 public and private colleges and universities offering dance majors, and 131 colleges offering theatre majors. These students earning degrees in dance or theatre are unable to teach in their respective fields unless they get a credential in physical education or English.

1. Visual and performing arts framework. Existing law specifies that school districts maintaining grades 7-12 must offer courses in visual and performing arts, including art, music, theatre, or dance, with emphasis upon development if aesthetic appreciation and the skills of creative expression. Additionally, the framework and content standards for visual and performing arts adopted by the State Board of Education include the four disciplines of dance, music, theater, and visual arts. Two of these content areas, art and music, have single subject credential authorizations. However, the other two content areas of dance and theatre do not have single subject credentials despite having discrete content standards.
2. Current options for teaching theatre and dance. As indicated above under Comment No. 2, single subject credentials in dance or theatre do not currently exist in the state. Those subjects are subsumed within the physical education and English single subject credentials. There are subject matter authorizations which may be added to single subject, multiple subject, standard elementary, standard secondary, and special secondary teaching credentials. This enables the credential holder to teach an authorized subject at any grade level, including an authorization to teach dance as part of the physical education department or theatre as part of the English department. The subject matter authorization typically requires completion of 32 semester units of non-remedial coursework in the subject or major directly related to the subject listed on the credential.

Additionally, a supplementary authorization may be added to the various teaching credentials for any grade level. Similarly, dance courses may be found within the physical education department while theatre courses may be found as part of the English department. A supplementary authorization typically requires completion of 20 semester units of collegiate coursework in the subject or 10 upper division and graduate coursework in the specific subject of the authorization.

1. Impact on the existing authorizations? While the bill adds the authority for the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to issue single subject credentials in dance and theatre, it does not appear to expressly prohibit the continued use of the existing authorizations to teach dance and theatre courses. To the extent that there is ambiguity on the bill’s implications, the author may wish to consider addressing this as the bill moves forward.
2. Grandfathering provisions. The bill includes provisions that are intended to protect the teachers that are currently teaching dance and theatre under the physical education and English credentials. To protect existing candidates in the pipeline that are working towards completing a teacher preparation program, staff recommends that the bill be amended to allow these candidates to complete their programs without meeting any new requirements imposed as a result of this bill after the candidates’ enrollment in those programs.
3. Previous legislation.

AB 752 (Davis, 1999) proposed to create an emphasis credential in theatre and dance to holders of English and physical education credentials. This measure passed the Legislature and was enrolled to the Governor, but subsequently withdrawn at the author’s request.

AB 1052 (Davis, 1998), similar to this measure, proposed to provide a single subject credential in dance and theatre but was vetoed by Governor Wilson with the following message:

This bill would require the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to adopt regulations establishing new standards for theater and dance teachers within existing single subject teaching credentials. Appreciation of the arts is an important part of every child’s education, and should be encouraged. But this bill imposes a needless and unrealistic burden upon the holders of most single subject credentials that is wholly unrelated to their chosen discipline. A far more relevant and appropriate approach to achieving the same result was that taken by Senate Concurrent Resolution 31 of 1994.

SUPPORT

California Alliance for Arts Education

California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance

California Educational Theatre Association

California Federation of Teachers

California Music Educators Association

California State PTA

California Teachers Association

Common Sense Kids Action

Los Angeles Unified School District

National Art Education Association

National Association for Music Education

National Dance Education Organization

National Educational Theatre Association

Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists

Teaching Artists Guild

United Teachers Los Angeles

Letters from individuals

OPPOSITION

None received.

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