Bills

AB 320: Teacher preparation programs: regionally accredited institutions.

Session Year: 2021-2022
House: Assembly
Latest Version Date: 2021-10-08

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Existing law requires the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to, among other duties, establish standards for the issuance and renewal of credentials, certificates, and permits. Under existing law, the commission establishes standards for teacher preparation programs at postsecondary educational institutions.

This bill would define regionally accredited, as that term is applied to institutions of higher education with teacher preparation programs, as either an institution that has been accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the Higher Learning Commission, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the New England Commission of Higher Education, or the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, or an institution of higher education that held preaccreditation status at the time the degree of an applicant for a credential was conferred, if that institution achieved full regional accreditation status within 5 years of earning preaccreditation status. The bill would also define regionally accredited to include community or junior colleges that confer baccalaureate degrees and are regionally accredited by accrediting agencies, as specified, or by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The bill, among other things, would also make conforming changes to use the term regionally accredited institution of higher education to refer to certain postsecondary educational institutions with teacher preparation programs.

Existing law specifies the minimum requirements for the preliminary multiple subject, single subject, or education specialist teaching credential, including a subject matter competence requirement demonstrated by either completion of a subject matter program that has been approved by the commission or passage of a subject matter examination.

This bill would authorize a candidate for the preliminary multiple subject, single subject, or education specialist teaching credential to demonstrate subject matter competence by completing higher education coursework in the subject matters related to the content area of the credential, or through a combination of a subject matter examination and higher education coursework in the subject matters related to the content area of the credential, as provided.

This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 44259 of the Education Code proposed by SB 488 to be operative only if this bill and SB 488 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.

This bill would define regionally accredited, as that term is applied to institutions of higher education with teacher preparation programs, as either an institution that has been approved or recognized by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the Higher Learning Commission, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the New England Commission of Higher Education, or the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, or an institution of higher education that held preaccreditation status at the time the degree of an applicant for a credential was conferred, if that institution achieved full regional accreditation status within 5 years of earning preaccreditation status. The bill would also define regionally accredited to include community or junior colleges that confer baccalaureate degrees and are regionally accredited by accrediting agencies, as specified, or by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The bill, among other things, would also make conforming changes to use the term regionally accredited institution of higher education to refer to certain postsecondary educational institutions with teacher preparation programs.

This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 44259 of the Education Code proposed by SB 488 to be operative only if this bill and SB 488 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.

This bill would define regionally accredited, as that term is applied to institutions of higher education with teacher preparation programs, as either an institution that has been approved or recognized by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the Higher Learning Commission, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the New England Commission of Higher Education, or the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, or an institution of higher education that held preaccreditation status at the time the degree of an applicant for a credential was conferred, if that institution achieved full regional accreditation status within 5 years of earning preaccreditation status. The bill would also define regionally accredited to include community or junior colleges that confer baccalaureate degrees and are regionally accredited by accrediting agencies, as specified, or by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The bill, among other things, would also make conforming changes to use the term regionally accredited institution of higher education to refer to certain postsecondary educational institutions with teacher preparation programs.

This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 44259 of the Education Code proposed by SB 488 to be operative only if this bill and SB 488 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.

This bill would define regionally accredited, as that term is applied to institutions of higher education with teacher preparation programs, as either an institution that has been approved or recognized by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the Higher Learning Commission, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the New England Commission of Higher Education, or the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, or an institution of higher education that held preaccreditation status at the time the degree of an applicant for a credential was conferred, if that institution achieved full regional accreditation status within 5 years of earning preaccreditation status. The bill would also define regionally accredited to include community or junior colleges that confer baccalaureate degrees and are regionally accredited by accrediting agencies, as specified, or by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The bill, among other things, would also make conforming changes to use the term regionally accredited institution of higher education to refer to certain postsecondary educational institutions with teacher preparation programs.

This bill would define regionally accredited, as that term is applied to institutions of higher education with teacher preparation programs, as either an institution that has been approved or recognized by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the Higher Learning Commission, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the New England Commission of Higher Education, or the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, or an institution of higher education that held preaccreditation status at the time the degree of an applicant for a credential was conferred, if that institution achieved full regional accreditation status within 5 years of earning preaccreditation status. The bill would also define regionally accredited to include community or junior colleges that confer baccalaureate degrees and are regionally accredited by accrediting agencies, as specified, or by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The bill, among other things, would also make conforming changes to use the term institution regionally accredited institution of higher education to refer to certain postsecondary educational institutions with teacher preparation programs. The bill would also define accredited private school for purposes of defining professional field experience requirements for individuals with full-time teaching experience in those schools.

Existing law specifies the minimum requirements for the preliminary multiple or subject, single subject subject, or education specialist teaching credential, including a subject matter competence requirement demonstrated by either completion of a subject matter program that has been approved by the commission or passage of a subject matter examination.

This bill would authorize a candidate for the preliminary multiple or subject, single subject subject, or education specialist teaching credential to demonstrate subject matter competence by completing higher education coursework in the subject matters related to the content area of the credential, or through a combination of a subject matter examination and higher education coursework in the subject matters related to the content area of the credential, as provided.

This bill would define regionally accredited, as that term is applied to institutions of higher education with teacher preparation programs, as either an institution that has been approved or recognized by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the Higher Learning Commission, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the New England Commission of Higher Education, or the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, or an institution of higher education that held preaccreditation status at the time the degree of an applicant for a credential was conferred, if that institution achieved full regional accreditation status within 5 years of earning preaccreditation status. The bill, among other things, would also make conforming changes to use the term institution of higher education to refer to certain postsecondary educational institutions with teacher preparation programs. The bill would also define accredited private school for purposes of defining professional field experience requirements for individuals with full-time teaching experience in those schools.

Existing law specifies the minimum requirements for the preliminary multiple or single subject teaching credential, including a subject matter competence requirement demonstrated by either completion of a subject matter program that has been approved by the commission or passage of a subject matter examination.

This bill would authorize a candidate for the preliminary multiple or single subject teaching credential to demonstrate subject matter competence by completing higher education coursework in the subject matters related to the content area of the credential, or through a combination of a subject matter examination and higher education coursework in the subject matters related to the content area of the credential, as provided.

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The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1.Section 44203 of the Education Code is amended to read:44203.

In this chapter, the following terms shall be defined as specified in this section:

(a)Authorization means the designation that appears on a credential, certificate, or permit that identifies the subjects and circumstances in which the holder of the credential, certificate, or permit may teach, or the services that the holder may render in the public schools of this state.

(b)(1)Basic teaching credential means either of the following:

(A)A credential that authorizes the holder to teach the subjects named on the credential, and for which possession of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education and completion of a professional preparation program that includes student teaching or completion of a district internship program pursuant to Section 44325 are minimum requirements.

(B)A clear designated subjects teaching credential that authorizes the holder to teach the subjects named on the credential on a full-time basis if the holder also possesses a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education and has passed the state basic skills proficiency test.

(2)A basic teaching credential meets the prerequisite teaching credential requirement for any other teaching, specialist, or service credential the commission is authorized to issue.

(c)Beginning teacher assessment means a process that has been adopted or approved by the commission for measuring the performances of the holders of preliminary teaching credentials in order to help them improve, and to determine whether their performances satisfy the commissions standards of performance for earning the clear teaching credential.

(d)Beginning teacher support means a combination of assistance, guidance, encouragement, and diagnostic assessment that helps the holders of preliminary teaching credentials to fulfill their professional responsibilities effectively during the first year or two years of classroom teaching, and that satisfies standards of support adopted by the commission.

(e)Institution of higher education means an institution that grants baccalaureate or higher degrees.

(f)Professional teacher certification requirements means a policy of requiring each beginning teacher to complete a program of planned support and systematic assessment, as determined by the commission, as a condition for earning a clear teaching credential.

(g)Regionally accredited means either of the following:

(1)(A)An institution of higher education that has been accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the Higher Learning Commission, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the New England Commission of Higher Education, or the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

(B)A community or junior college that confers baccalaureate degrees and is regionally accredited by an accrediting agency listed in subparagraph (A) or by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges may meet this definition.

(2)An institution of higher education that held preaccreditation status at the time the degree of an applicant for a credential was conferred, if the institution achieved full regional accreditation status within five years of earning preaccreditation status.

SEC. 2.Section 44225 of the Education Code is amended to read:44225.

The commission shall do all of the following:

(a)Establish professional standards, assessments, and examinations for entry and advancement in the education profession. While the Legislature recognizes that the commission will exercise its prerogative to determine those requirements, it is the intent of the Legislature that standards, assessments, and examinations be developed and implemented for the following:

(1)(A)The preliminary teaching credential, to be granted upon possession of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education, completion of an accredited program of professional preparation, and either successful passage of an examination or assessment that has been adopted or approved by the commission in the subject or subjects appropriate to the grade level to be taught, to include college-level reading, writing, and mathematics skills, or completion of an accredited program of subject matter preparation and successful passage of the basic skills proficiency test as provided for in Article 4 (commencing with Section 44250). The commission shall uniformly consider the results of the basic skills proficiency test in conjunction with other pertinent information about the qualifications of each candidate for a preliminary credential, and may award the credential on the basis of the overall performance of a candidate as measured by several criteria of professional competence if the candidate meets minimum standards set by the commission on each criterion. Upon application by a regionally accredited institution of higher education, the commission may categorically grant credit to coursework completed in an accredited program of professional preparation, as specified by this paragraph, by undergraduates of that institution, if the commission finds there are adequate assurances of the quality of necessary undergraduate instruction in the liberal arts and in the subject area or areas to be taught.

(B)Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), for single subject teaching credentials, the baccalaureate degree shall not be in the subject of professional education.

(2)The professional teaching credential, to be granted upon successful passage of a state examination or assessment in the subject or subjects appropriate to the grade level to be taught, to include college-level basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills, and completion of a period of beginning teacher support that includes assessments of ability to teach subject matter to pupils, ability to work well with pupils, classroom management, and instructional skills. A candidate who successfully passes the examination or assessment pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be deemed to have passed the state examination or assessment in the subject or subjects to be taught pursuant to this paragraph.

(b)(1)Reduce and streamline the credential system to ensure teacher competence in the subject field or fields, while allowing greater flexibility in staffing local schools. The commission shall award the following types of credentials to applicants whose preparation and competence satisfy its standards:

(A)Basic teaching credentials for teaching in kindergarten, or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, in public schools in the state.

(B)Credentials for teaching adult education classes and vocational education classes.

(C)Credentials for teaching specialties, including, but not necessarily limited to, bilingual education, early childhood education, and special education. The commission may grant credentials to any candidate who concurrently meets the commissions standards of preparation and competence for the preliminary basic teaching credential and the preliminary specialty credential.

(D)Credentials for school services, for positions including, but not necessarily limited to, administrators, school counselors, speech-language therapists, audiologists, school psychologists, library media teachers, supervisors of attendance, and school nurses.

(2)The commission may establish standards and requirements for preliminary and professional credentials of each type.

(c)Review and, if necessary, revise the code of ethics for the teaching profession.

(d)Establish standards for the issuance and renewal of credentials, certificates, and permits. In setting standards, the commission shall seek to ensure, through its credentialing of teachers, that public school teachers satisfy all of the following criteria:

(1)Are academically talented.

(2)Are knowledgeable of the subjects to be taught in the classroom.

(3)Are creative and energetic.

(4)Have the human skills to motivate and inspire pupils to achieve their goals.

(5)Have the sensitivity to foster self-esteem in pupils through recognition that each pupil has their own goals, talents, and levels of development.

(6)Are willing to relate the educational process and their instructional strategies to meet the needs of pupils.

(7)Are able to work effectively with and motivate pupils from a variety of ethnic, socioeconomic, cultural, academic, and linguistic backgrounds.

(8)Have an understanding of principles and laws related to educational equity, and the equitable practice of the profession of education among all pupils regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender, age, religious background, primary language, or disabling condition.

(e)Determine the scope and authorization of credentials to ensure competence in teaching and other educational services, and establish sanctions for the misuse of credentials and the misassignment of credentialholders. The commission may grant an added or supplementary authorization to a credentialholder who has met the requirements and standards of the commission for the added or supplementary authorization. The commission shall exempt the holder of a teaching credential obtained before January 1, 1974, who adds an authorization by successfully completing a commission-approved subject matter examination, from the requirements of subdivision (e) of Section 44259 and Section 44261.

(f)Collect, compile, and disseminate information regarding exemplary practices in supporting and assessing beginning teachers.

(g)Establish alternative methods for entry into the teaching profession, and into other certificated roles in the schools, by persons in varying circumstances, including persons who have been educated outside of California, provided that each applicant satisfies all of the requirements established by the commission. One alternative method shall be the successful completion of at least two years of classroom instruction under a district intern certificate pursuant to Article 7.5 (commencing with Section 44325). In establishing alternative methods for entry into the teaching profession, the commission shall develop strategies to encourage classroom aides to become credentialed teachers.

(h)Adopt a framework and general standards for the accreditation of preparation programs for teachers and other certificated educators pursuant to Article 7 (commencing with Section 44320).

(i)Appoint classroom teachers, school administrators, other school services personnel, representatives of the public, and public or private higher education representatives to one or more standing committees, which shall be given authority to recommend to the commission standards relating to examinations, performance assessments, program accreditation, and licensing. The commission shall establish criteria for membership on those committees, and shall determine the terms of committee members. Appointments to standing committees by the commission shall reflect, to the extent feasible, the ethnic and cultural diversity of the California public schools.

(j)Consult with classroom teachers, faculty members from institutions of higher education that maintain accredited programs of professional preparation for teachers, administrators or other school services personnel, and other experts to aid in the development of examinations and assessments, and to study the impact of examinations and assessments on the teaching profession. To increase the fairness of its certification decisions, the commission may uniformly consider the results of tests, subtests, and assessments in conjunction with each other, and in conjunction with other pertinent information about the qualifications of each candidate. The commission may award credentials on the basis of average overall performances by candidates on several criteria of professional competence if the candidate meets minimum standards set by the commission on each criterion.

(k)Adopt standards for all examinations and assessments that shall ensure that all prospective teachers demonstrate an understanding of the history and cultures of the major ethnic populations of this state and of teaching strategies for the acquisition of English language skills by non-English-speaking pupils.

(l)Determine the terms of credentials, certificates, and permits, except that no credential, certificate, or permit shall be valid for more than five years from the date of issuance. This article shall govern the issuance of any credential, certificate, or permit, except as follows:

(1)A credential, certificate, or permit shall remain in force as long as it is valid and continues to be valid under the laws and regulations that were in effect when it was issued.

(2)The commission shall grant teaching credentials pursuant to statutes that were in effect on December 31, 1988, to candidates who, before the effective date of regulations to implement subdivision (a), were in the process of meeting the requirements for teaching credentials that were in effect on December 31, 1988, except that neither enrollment as an undergraduate student nor receipt of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education before the effective date of the regulations shall, by itself, exempt a candidate from the requirements of subdivision (a). Enrollment in a preparation program for teachers before the effective date of the regulations shall not exempt a candidate from the requirements of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), if the preliminary credential of the candidate was granted after the effective date of the regulations.

(m)(1)Review requests from school districts, county offices of education, private schools, and postsecondary institutions for the waiver of one or more of the provisions of this chapter or other provisions governing the preparation or licensing of educators. The commission may grant a waiver upon finding that the professional preparation equivalent to that prescribed under the provision or provisions to be waived will be, or has been, completed by the credential candidate or candidates affected, or that a waiver is necessary to accomplish any of the following:

(A)Give a local educational agency one semester or less to address unanticipated, immediate, short-term shortages of fully qualified educators by assigning a teacher who holds a basic teaching credential to teach outside of the teachers credential authorization, with the teachers consent.

(B)Provide credential candidates additional time to complete a credential requirement.

(C)Allow local school districts or schools to implement an education reform or restructuring plan.

(D)Temporarily exempt from a specified credential requirement small, geographically isolated regions with a severely limited ability to develop personnel.

(E)Provide other temporary exemptions when deemed appropriate by the commission.

(2)No provision in this chapter shall be waived under Sections 33050 and 33051, after June 30, 1994, by the state board.

(n)It is the intent of the Legislature that the commission develop models for voluntary use by California colleges and universities that do not have these models in place, to assist in the screening of applications for admission to teacher education programs. The models shall give emphasis to the following qualifications of the applicants: academic talent, knowledge of subjects to be taught, basic academic skills, creativity, experience in working with children and adolescents, ability to motivate and inspire pupils, and willingness to relate education to pupils with a wide variety of cultural, ethnic, and academic backgrounds. The commission may continue to administer the state basic skills proficiency test, in order (1) to use the results of this test in awarding preliminary teaching credentials and emergency permits, and (2) to enable colleges and universities to use this test in conjunction with other appropriate sources of information in teacher preparation admission decisions. However, it is the intent of the Legislature that applicants for admission to teacher preparation programs shall not be denied admission solely on the basis of state basic skills proficiency test results. The commission may recover the costs of administering and developing the test by charging examinees a fee for taking the test.

(o)It is the intent of the Legislature that the commission encourage colleges and universities to design and implement, by August 1, 1990, concentrated internship programs for persons who have attained a baccalaureate degree in the field in which they intend to teach. Those programs would be targeted at subject area shortages, would substitute for conventional training programs, and would include a full summer session of college-level coursework, a one-year internship, or the equivalent, a seminar throughout the internship, and a summer session following the internship. Educator preparation through internship programs shall be subject to Article 10 (commencing with Section 44370).

(p)Grant a field placement certificate to a candidate who has been admitted to an accredited program of professional preparation, and who must complete a supervised practicum in public elementary or secondary schools as a condition for completion of the program. The commission shall establish standards for the issuance of field placement certificates.

(q)Propose appropriate rules and regulations to implement Chapter 1355 of the Statutes of 1988.

(r)Adopt subject matter assessments for teaching credentials after developing those assessments jointly with the Superintendent.

SEC. 3.Section 44225.6 of the Education Code is amended to read:44225.6.

(a)By April 15 of each year, the commission shall report to the Legislature and the Governor on the availability of teachers in California. This report shall include all of the following information:

(1)The number of individuals recommended for credentials by institutions of higher education and each type of credential, certificate, or authorization for which they were recommended, including authorizations issued pursuant to Sections 44253.3 and 44253.4.

(2)The number of individuals recommended for credentials by school districts operating district internship programs and each type of credential, certificate, or authorization for which they were recommended, including authorizations issued pursuant to Sections 44253.3 and 44253.4.

(3)The number of individuals receiving an initial credential based on a program completed outside of California and each type of credential, certificate, or authorization for which they were recommended, including authorizations issued pursuant to Sections 44253.3 and 44253.4.

(4)The number of individuals receiving an emergency permit or credential waiver.

(5)The number of individuals receiving the certificate of completion of staff development in methods of specially designed content instruction delivered in English pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 44253.11.

(6)Statewide, by county, and by school district, the number of individuals serving in the following capacities and as a percentage of the total number of individuals serving as teachers statewide, in the county, and in the school district:

(A)University internship.

(B)District internship.

(C)Emergency permit.

(D)Credential waiver.

(E)Preliminary or clear credential.

(F)An authorization issued pursuant to Section 44253.3.

(G)Certificates or authorizations issued pursuant to Section 44253.3, 44253.4, 44253.10, or 44253.11, if available.

(H)The number of individuals serving English learner pupils in settings calling for English language development, in settings calling for specially designed academic instruction in English, or in primary language instruction, without the appropriate authorization under Section 44253.3, 44253.4, 44253.10, or 44253.11, or under another statute, if available. The commission may use data from the departments Annual Language Census Survey to report the data required pursuant to this paragraph.

(7)The specific subjects and teaching areas in which there are a sufficient number of new holders of credentials to fill the positions currently held by individuals with emergency permits.

(b)The commission shall make this report available to school districts and county offices of education to assist them in the recruitment of credentialed teachers and shall make the report and supporting data publicly available on the commissions internet website.

(c)A common measure of whether teacher preparation programs are meeting the challenge of preparing increasing numbers of new teachers is the number of teaching credentials awarded. The number of teaching credentials recommended by these programs and awarded by the commission are indicators of the productivity of teacher preparation programs. The commission shall include in the report prepared for the Legislature and the Governor pursuant to subdivision (a) the total number of teaching credentials recommended by all accredited teacher preparation programs authorized by the commission and the number recommended by each of the following:

(1)The University of California system.

(2)The California State University system.

(3)Independent colleges and universities that offer teacher preparation programs approved by the commission.

(4)Other institutions that offer teacher preparation programs approved by the commission.

(d)The commission shall periodically provide reports and recommendations to the Legislature, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, regarding the states teacher workforce for purposes of developing and reviewing state policy, identifying workforce trends, and identifying future needs. These reports shall be made publicly available on the commissions internet website. The commission may make use of information obtained from the department, including, but not necessarily limited to, information obtained pursuant to Section 44258.9, for these purposes.

(e)For purposes of this section, authorization has the same meaning as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 44203.

SEC. 4.Section 44227 of the Education Code is amended to read:44227.

(a)The commission may approve any regionally accredited institution of higher education to recommend to the commission the issuance of credentials to persons who have successfully completed a teacher education program of the institution if the program meets the standards approved by the commission.

(b)A regionally accredited institution of higher education whose teacher education program has been accredited by the commission shall approve and electronically submit credential applications to the commission, and the commission shall grant credentials to these applicants based upon that approval.

(c)Notwithstanding any other law, the commission may approve for credit any coursework completed for credential purposes or for step increases in programs offered in California by out-of-state institutions of higher education that meet the requirements prescribed by Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 94800) of Part 59 of Division 10 of Title 3 only if the program of courses is offered by a regionally accredited institution of higher education and evidence of satisfactory evaluation by that accrediting body is submitted by the out-of-state institution to the commission for purposes of seeking approval of the program and any courses within that program to enable potential teachers to meet one or more requirements for a teaching credential in California.

SEC. 5.Section 44252.2 is added to the Education Code, to read:44252.2.

Coursework completed at a community or junior college that is regionally accredited by an accrediting agency listed in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (g) of Section 44203 or by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges may count as qualifying coursework for purposes of paragraph (10) of subdivision (b) of Section 44252.

SEC. 6.Section 44253.3 of the Education Code is amended to read:44253.3.

(a)The commission shall issue an authorization for a teacher to provide all of the following services to limited-English-proficient pupils:

(1)Instruction for English language development in preschool, kindergarten, grades 1 to 12, inclusive, and classes organized primarily for adults, except when the requirement specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) is satisfied by the possession of a childrens center instructional permit pursuant to Sections 8301 and 44252.7, a childrens center supervision permit pursuant to Section 8301, or a designated subjects teaching credential in adult education pursuant to Section 44260.2. If the requirement specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) is satisfied by the possession of a childrens center instructional permit, or a childrens center supervision permit, instruction for English language development is limited to the programs authorized by that permit. If the requirement specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) is satisfied by the possession of a designated subjects teaching credential in adult education, instruction for English language development is limited to classes organized primarily for adults.

(2)Specially designed content instruction delivered in English in the subjects and at the levels authorized by the teachers prerequisite credential or permit used to satisfy the requirement specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b).

(b)The minimum requirements for the authorization, which may be completed at the same time as the initial preparation for the prerequisite credential or at a later date, shall include all of the following:

(1)Possession of a valid California teaching credential, services credential, visiting faculty permit, childrens center instructional permit, or childrens center supervision permit which credential or permit authorizes the holder to provide instruction to pupils in preschool, kindergarten, any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, or classes primarily organized for adults, except for any of the following:

(A)Emergency credentials or permits.

(B)Exchange credentials as specified in Section 44333.

(C)District intern credentials as specified in Section 44325.

(D)Sojourn certificated employee credentials as specified in Section 44856.

(E)Teacher education internship credentials as specified in Article 3 (commencing with Section 44450) of Chapter 3.

(2)Passage of one or more examinations, or by completing an approved program that consists of coursework or a combination of coursework and examinations, that the commission determines is necessary for demonstrating the knowledge and skills required for effective delivery of the services included in the authorization.

(3)Completion of at least six semester units, or nine quarter units, of coursework in a second language at a regionally accredited institution of higher education. The commission shall establish minimum standards for scholarship in the required coursework. The commission also shall establish alternative ways in which the requirement can be satisfied by language-learning experience that creates an awareness of the challenges of second-language acquisition and development.

(c)Completion of coursework in human relations in accordance with the commissions standards of program quality and effectiveness that includes, at a minimum, instruction in all of the following:

(1)The nature and content of culture.

(2)Cross-cultural contact and interactions.

(3)Cultural diversity in the United States and California.

(4)Providing instruction responsive to the diversity of the pupil population.

(5)Recognizing and responding to behavior related to the characteristics listed in Section 220.

(6)Techniques for the peaceful resolution of conflict.

(d)The commission shall establish alternative requirements for a teacher to earn the authorization, which shall be awarded as a supplementary authorization pursuant to subdivision (g) of Section 44225.

(e)A teacher who possesses a credential or permit described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) and is able to present a valid out-of-state credential or certificate that authorizes the instruction of English language learners may qualify for the authorization issued under this section by submitting an application and fee to the commission.

(f)The commission may issue an authorization under this section if the applicant possesses a valid California teaching credential and holds either of the following certificates issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards:

(1)Early and Middle Childhood/English as a New Language Certificate.

(2)Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood/English as a New Language Certificate.

(g)The authorization shall remain valid as long as the prerequisite credential or permit specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) remains valid.

SEC. 7.Section 44253.10 of the Education Code is amended to read:44253.10.

(a)A teacher with a basic teaching credential may be assigned to provide specially designed content instruction delivered in English, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 44253.2, to limited-English-proficient pupils only if both of the following conditions are met:

(1)The teacher, as of January 1, 1999, is a permanent employee of a school district, county office of education, or school administered under the authority of the Superintendent, or was previously a permanent employee and then was employed in a school district within 39 months of the previous permanent status, or has been employed in a school district with an average daily attendance of not more than 250 for at least two years.

(2)The teacher completes 45 clock hours of staff development in methods of specially designed content instruction delivered in English before January 1, 2008. The extension of the date by which a teacher is required to complete this staff development shall not be construed as authorizing teachers to teach limited-English-proficient pupils without a certificate issued pursuant to this section or Sections 44253.3 and 44253.4.

(b)(1)The commission, in consultation with the Superintendent, shall establish guidelines for the provision of staff development pursuant to this section. The commission and the Superintendent shall use their best efforts to establish these guidelines as soon as possible, but not later than January 1, 1996. Staff development pursuant to this section shall be consistent with the commissions guidelines.

(2)To ensure the highest standards of program quality and effectiveness, the guidelines shall include quality standards for the persons who train others to perform staff development training and for those who provide the training. The guidelines may require that teachers who qualify to provide instruction pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) include a portion, within the total 45 clock hours of training provided pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), in English language development.

(3)The guidelines for training to meet the requirements of paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) may provide for 20 hours, or fewer hours as the commission may specify, of training in any aspect of English language development or specially designed content instruction delivered in English.

(4)The guidelines shall require that the staff development offered pursuant to this section be aligned to the teacher preparation leading to the issuance of a certificate pursuant to Section 44253.3 and any amendments made to that section. This alignment, however, shall not result in any increase in the number of hours of staff development necessary to meet the requirements of this section.

(5)The guidelines and standards established by the commission to implement this section shall require and maintain compliance with any requirements mandated by federal law for purposes of ensuring continued federal financial assistance.

(6)The commission shall review staff development programs in relation to the guidelines and standards established pursuant to this section. The review shall include all programs offered pursuant to this section except programs previously approved pursuant to subdivision (c). If the commission finds that a program meets the applicable guidelines and standards, the commission shall forward a report of its findings to the chief executive officer of the sponsoring school district, county office of education, or regionally accredited institution of higher education. If the commission finds that a program does not meet the applicable guidelines or standards, or both, the report of the commission shall specify the areas of noncompliance and the time period in which a second review shall occur. If a second review of a program by the commission reveals a pattern of continued noncompliance with the applicable guidelines or standards, or both, the sponsoring agency shall not offer the program to teachers who have not already enrolled in it. The effective date for commission approval of staff development programs not currently approved as of January 1, 2000, shall be on or before January 1, 2002, except for persons already enrolled in programs by January 1, 2002.

(7)By December 4, 2007, the commission shall report to the Legislature on the status of the 45-hour and the 90-hour alternative programs, including the strengths and weaknesses of the process and programs. In preparing the report, the commission shall include a summary of its review pursuant to paragraph (6) of the staff development programs.

(c)The staff development may be sponsored by any school district, county office of education, or regionally accredited institution of higher education that meets the standards included in the guidelines established pursuant to subdivision (b) or any organization that meets those standards and is approved by the commission. Any equivalent three semester unit or four quarter unit class may be taken by the teacher at a regionally accredited institution of higher education to satisfy the staff development requirement described in either subdivision (a) or (d), or both. Once the commission has made a determination that a college or university class is equivalent, no further review of the class shall be required pursuant to paragraph (6) of subdivision (b), regardless of the date of the initial review.

(d)(1)A teacher who completes the staff development described in subdivision (a) shall be awarded a certificate of completion of staff development in methods of specially designed content instruction delivered in English.

(2)A teacher who completes the staff development described in subdivision (a) may provide specially designed content instruction delivered in English, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 44253.2, and instruction for English language development, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 44253.2, in any departmentalized teaching assignment consistent with the authorization of the teachers basic credential. This authorization also applies to teachers who completed the required staff development before January 1, 2000.

(3)A teacher who completes the staff development described in subdivision (a) shall not be assigned to provide content instruction delivered in the pupils primary language, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 44253.2.

(4)A teacher who completes the staff development described in subdivision (a) may be assigned to provide instruction for English language development, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 44253.2, in a self-contained classroom under either of the following circumstances:

(A)The teacher has taught for at least nine years in California public schools, certifies that the teacher has had experience or training in teaching limited-English-proficient pupils, and authorizes verification by the entity that issues the certificate of completion. The teacher shall be awarded a certificate of completion in methods of instruction for English language development in a self-contained classroom.

(B)The teacher has taught for less than nine years in California public schools, or has taught for at least nine years in California public schools but is unable to certify that the teacher has had experience or training in teaching limited-English-proficient pupils, but has, within three years of completing the staff development described in subdivision (a), completed an additional 45 hours of staff development, including specially designed content instruction delivered in English and English language development training, as set forth in the guidelines developed pursuant to subdivision (b). Upon completion of this additional staff development, the teacher shall be awarded a certificate of completion in methods of instruction for English language development in a self-contained classroom.

(e)During the period in which a teacher is pursuing the training specified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) or subdivision (d), or both, including the period for the assessment and awarding of the certificate, the teacher may be provisionally assigned to provide instruction for English language development, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 44253.2, or to provide specially designed content instruction delivered in English, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 44253.2.

(f)(1)A teacher who completes the staff development with any provider specified in subdivision (c), and who meets the requirements of subdivision (a) or (d) for a certificate of completion of staff development in methods of specially designed content instruction delivered in English or English language development in a self-contained classroom, or both, shall be issued the certificate or certificates.

(2)A teacher who completes a staff development program in methods of specially designed content instruction delivered in English or English language development in a self-contained classroom, or both, who has been determined by the commission to meet the applicable guidelines and standards pursuant to paragraph (6) of subdivision (b), shall receive a certificate or certificates of completion from the commission upon submitting an application, a staff development verification form to be furnished by the commission, and payment of a fee to be set by the commission, not to exceed forty-five dollars ($45).

(3)A person who is enrolled in, or who has completed, a staff development program not approved by the commission before January 1, 2002, may, until January 1, 2003, apply to any of the following agencies for the certificate or certificates, but the teacher shall be issued the certificate or certificates by only one of these agencies:

(A)The school district in which the teacher is a permanent employee.

(B)The county office of education in the county in which the teacher is an employee for an agency specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a).

(C)Any school district or county office of education that provides staff development pursuant to subdivision (c). Before issuing a certificate or certificates based on an equivalent class or classes, as provided for in subdivision (c), the issuing agency shall determine if the class or classes meet the guidelines established pursuant to subdivision (b).

(4)Any school district or county office of education that issues a certificate of completion shall forward a copy of the certificate to the commission within 90 days of issuing the certificate.

(5)(A)An agency that issues a certificate or certificates of completion may charge the teacher requesting the certificate or certificates of completion a fee that will cover the actual costs of the agency in issuing, forwarding to the commission a copy of, and paying any fee charged by the commission for receiving and servicing, the certificate or certificates of completion.

(B)The commission may charge the agency that forwards a copy of a certificate or certificates of completion a one-time fee to cover the actual costs to the commission to file the copy or copies, and to issue duplicates when requested by the teacher. The fee shall not exceed an amount equal to one-half the fee the commission charges for issuing a credential.

(g)The certificate of completion is valid in all California public schools. A teacher who has been issued a certificate of completion may be assigned indefinitely to provide the instructional services named on the certificate in any school district, county office of education, or school administered under the authority of the Superintendent.

(h)The governing board of each school district shall make reasonable efforts to provide limited-English-proficient pupils in need of English language development instruction with teachers who hold appropriate credentials, language development specialist certificates, or cross-cultural language and academic development certificates that authorize English language development instruction. However, any teacher awarded a certificate or certificates of completion shall be deemed certificated and competent to provide the services listed on that certificate of completion. A teacher who completes staff development pursuant to this section may use those hours of staff development to meet the requirements of subdivision (b) of Section 44277.

(i)Any teacher completing staff development pursuant to this section shall be credited with three semester units or four quarter units for each block of 45 hours of staff development completed for the purpose of meeting the requirements set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 44253.3.

(j)Any school district may use funds allocated to it for the purposes of Chapter 3.1 (commencing with Section 44681) to provide staff development pursuant to this section.

SEC. 8.Section 44253.11 of the Education Code is amended to read:44253.11.

(a)A teacher with a designated subjects teaching credential or a service credential with a special class authorization may enroll in a course that meets the minimum requirements of staff development in methods of specially designed content instruction delivered in English, as described in Section 44253.3, 44253.4, 44253.7, or 44253.10.

(b)(1)The commission, in consultation with the Superintendent, shall establish guidelines for the provision of staff development pursuant to this section that are at least as rigorous as the guidelines established pursuant to Section 44253.10. The commission and the Superintendent may designate guidelines established pursuant to Section 44253.10 in satisfaction of this subdivision. Staff development pursuant to this section shall be consistent with the guidelines of the commission.

(2)To ensure the highest standards of program quality and effectiveness, the guidelines shall include quality standards applicable to persons who train others to perform staff development training, as well as for persons who provide the training.

(3)The guidelines shall require that staff development offered pursuant to this section be aligned with the teacher preparation that leads to the issuance of a certificate pursuant to Section 44253.3.

(4)The guidelines and standards established by the commission to implement this section shall comply with federal law.

(5)The commission shall review staff development programs in relation to the guidelines and standards established pursuant to this section. The review shall include all programs offered pursuant to this section. If the commission finds that a program meets the applicable guidelines and standards, the commission shall forward a report of its findings to the chief executive officer of the sponsoring school district, county office of education, or regionally accredited institution of higher education. If the commission finds that a program does not meet the applicable guidelines or standards, or both, the report of the commission shall specify the areas of noncompliance and the time period in which a second review must occur. If a second review reveals a pattern of continued noncompliance with the applicable guidelines or standards, or both, the sponsoring agency shall be prohibited from continuing to offer the program to teachers.

(c)The staff development may be sponsored by a school district, county office of education, or regionally accredited institution of higher education that meets the standards included in the guidelines established pursuant to this section or an organization that meets those standards and that is approved by the commission. An equivalent course may be taken by a teacher at a regionally accredited institution of higher education in order to satisfy the staff development requirement. Once the commission makes a determination that a college or university class is equivalent, no further review of the class shall be required.

(d)(1)A teacher who completes the staff development described in this section shall be awarded a certificate of completion in methods of specially designed content instruction delivered in English.

(2)A teacher who completes the staff development described in this section is allowed to provide specially designed content instruction delivered in English, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 44253.2.

(3)A teacher who completes the staff development described in this section shall not be assigned to provide content instruction delivered in the primary language of the pupil, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 44253.2.

(e)A teacher who completes a staff development program in methods of specially designed content instruction delivered in English pursuant to this section shall receive a certificate of completion from the commission upon submitting an application, a staff development verification form to be furnished by the commission, and payment of a fee, as determined by the commission, not to exceed forty-five dollars ($45).

(f)The certificate of completion is valid in all public schools. A teacher who has been issued a certificate of completion may be assigned indefinitely to provide the instructional services named on the certificate in a school district, county office of education, or school administered under the authority of the Superintendent.

(g)Teacher assignments made in accordance with this section shall be included in the report required by Section 44225.6.

(h)The governing board of each school district shall make reasonable efforts to provide limited-English-proficient pupils in need of English language development instruction with teachers who hold appropriate credentials, language development specialist certificates, or cross-cultural language and academic development certificates that authorize English language development instruction. However, a teacher awarded a certificate or certificates of completion pursuant to this section shall be deemed certificated and competent to provide the services listed on that certificate of completion.

(i)A teacher completing staff development pursuant to this section shall be credited with three semester units or four quarter units for each block of 45 clock hours completed for the purpose of meeting the requirements set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 44253.3.

SEC. 9.Section 44256 of the Education Code is amended to read:44256.

Authorization for teaching credentials shall be of four basic kinds, as defined below:

(a)(1)Single subject instruction means the practice of assignment of teachers and students to specified subject matter courses, as is commonly practiced in California high schools and most California junior high schools. The holder of a single subject teaching credential or a standard secondary credential or a special secondary teaching credential, as defined in this subdivision, who has completed 20 semester hours of coursework or 10 semester hours of upper division or graduate coursework approved by the commission at a regionally accredited institution of higher education in any subject commonly taught in grades 7 to 12, inclusive, other than the subject for which the credentialholder is already certificated to teach, shall be eligible to have this subject appear on the credential as an authorization to teach this subject. The commission, by regulation, may require that evidence of additional competence is a condition for instruction in particular subjects, including, but not limited to, world languages. The commission may establish and implement alternative requirements for additional authorizations to the single subject credential on the basis of specialized needs. For purposes of this subdivision, a special secondary teaching credential means a special secondary teaching credential issued on the basis of at least a baccalaureate degree, a student teaching requirement, and 24 semester units of coursework in the subject specialty of the credential.

(2)For purposes of this subdivision, coursework completed at a community or junior college that is regionally accredited by an accrediting agency listed in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (g) of Section 44203 or by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges may count toward the 20 semester hours requirement.

(b)(1)Multiple subject instruction means the practice of assignment of teachers and students for multiple subject matter instruction, as is commonly practiced in California elementary schools and as is commonly practiced in early childhood education.

(2)The holder of a multiple subject teaching credential or a standard elementary credential who has completed 20 semester hours of coursework or 10 semester hours of upper division or graduate coursework approved by the commission at a regionally accredited institution of higher education in any subject commonly taught in grades 9 and below shall be eligible to have that subject appear on the credential as authorization to teach the subject in departmentalized classes in grades 9 and below. The governing board of a school district by resolution may authorize the holder of a multiple subject teaching credential or a standard elementary credential to teach any subject in departmentalized classes to a given class or group of pupils below grade 9, provided that the teacher has completed at least 12 semester units, or six upper division or graduate units, of coursework at a regionally accredited institution of higher education in each subject to be taught. The authorization shall be with the teachers consent. However, the commission, by regulation, may provide that evidence of additional competence is necessary for instruction in particular subjects, including, but not limited to, world languages. The commission may establish and implement alternative requirements for additional authorizations to the multiple subject credential on the basis of specialized needs.

(3)For purposes of this subdivision, coursework completed at a community or junior college that is regionally accredited by an accrediting agency listed in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (g) of Section 44203 or by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges may count toward the 20 semester hours or 12 semester units requirements.

(c)Specialist instruction means any specialty requiring advanced preparation or special competence, including, but not limited to, reading specialist, mathematics specialist, specialist in special education, or early childhood education, and such other specialties as the commission may determine.

(d)Designated subjects means the practice of assignment of teachers and pupils to designated technical, trade, or career technical courses which courses may be part of a program of trade, technical, or career technical education.

SEC. 10.Section 44258.2 of the Education Code is amended to read:44258.2.

The holder of a single subject teaching credential or a standard secondary teaching credential may, with the credentialholders consent, be assigned by action of the governing board to teach classes in grades 5 to 8, inclusive, in a middle school, if the credentialholder has a minimum of 12 semester units, or six upper division or graduate units, of coursework at a regionally accredited institution of higher education in the subject to which the credentialholder is assigned. For purposes of this section, coursework completed at a community or junior college that is regionally accredited by an accrediting agency listed in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (g) of Section 44203 or by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges may count toward the 12 semester units requirement.

SEC. 11.Section 44258.7 of the Education Code is amended to read:44258.7.

(a)The holder of a standard secondary credential who, before September 1, 1989, has taught successfully in a subject within the department of the credentialholders academic major or minor for a minimum of three years, as verified by the employing school district, may receive a supplementary authorization in that subject upon application, payment of a fee, which shall not exceed one-half of the regular credential fee, and evidence that one of the following has been accomplished:

(1)(A)Successful completion, by September 1, 1989, of a minimum of 12 semester units, or six upper division or graduate units, of coursework at a regionally accredited institution of higher education in the subject.

(B)For purposes of this paragraph, coursework completed at a community or junior college that is regionally accredited by an accrediting agency listed in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (g) of Section 44203 or by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges may count toward the 12 semester units requirement.

(2)The securing of a passing score on an examination in the subject approved by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

(3)Verification of competence in the subject matter by a subject area specialist not associated with the employing school district.

(b)A person who holds a teaching credential in a subject or subjects other than physical education may be authorized by action of the local governing board to coach one period per day in a competitive sport for which pupils receive physical education credit, provided that the credentialholder is a full-time employee of the school district and has completed a minimum of 20 hours of first aid instruction appropriate for the specific sport.

(c)A teacher employed on a full-time basis who teaches kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, and who has special skills and preparation outside of the teachers credential authorization may, with the teachers consent, be assigned to teach an elective course in the area of the special skills or preparation, provided that the assignment is first approved by a committee on assignments. For purposes of this subdivision an elective course is a course other than English, mathematics, science, or social studies. The membership of the committee on assignments shall include an equal number of teachers, selected by teachers, and school administrators, selected by school administrators.

(d)Assignments approved by the committee on assignments shall be for a maximum of one school year, but may be extended by action of the committee upon application by the schoolsite administrator and the affected teacher. All initial assignments or extensions shall be approved before the assignment or extension. Districts making assignments under this subdivision shall submit a plan to the county superintendent of schools that shall include, but need not be limited to, the following:

(1)Statements signed by the district superintendent and the president or chairperson of the district governing board, approving the establishment of the committee.

(2)Procedures for selection of the committee membership.

(3)Terms of office for committee members.

(4)Criteria for determining teachers qualifications for these assignments.

(e)The Commission on Teacher Credentialing may develop and recommend general criteria that may be used by local committees on assignment in assessing a candidates qualifications.

(f)The commission shall issue an Activity Supervisor Clearance Certificate to candidates serving in a position pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 49024 upon verification of the candidates personal identification and verification that the candidate meets all professional requirements pursuant to Sections 44339, 44340, 44341, and 44346.5. Each certificate shall be issued initially for a five-year period and may be renewed. The commission shall establish a fee for the Activity Supervisor Clearance Certificate.

SEC. 12.Section 44259 of the Education Code is amended to read:44259.

(a)Except as provided in clauses (i) and (iii) of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b), a program of professional preparation for multiple or single subject teaching credentials shall not include more than two years of full-time study of professional preparation.

(b)The minimum requirements for the preliminary multiple subject, single subject, or education specialist teaching credential are all of the following:

(1)A baccalaureate degree or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. Except as provided in subdivision (c) of Section 44227, for single subject teaching credentials, the baccalaureate degree shall not be in professional education. The commission shall encourage regionally accredited institutions of higher education to offer undergraduate minors in education and special education to students who intend to become single subject credentialed teachers.

(2)Demonstration of basic skills proficiency pursuant to Section 44252.5.

(3)(A)Satisfactory completion of a program of professional preparation that has been accredited by the Committee on Accreditation on the basis of standards of program quality and effectiveness that have been adopted by the commission. In accordance with the commissions assessment and performance standards, a program shall include a teaching performance assessment as set forth in Section 44320.2 that is aligned with the California Standards for the Teaching Profession. The commission shall ensure that a candidate recommended for a credential or certificate has demonstrated satisfactory ability to assist pupils to meet or exceed academic content and performance standards for pupils adopted by the state board. Programs that meet this requirement for professional preparation shall include any of the following:

(i)Integrated programs of subject matter preparation and professional preparation pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 44259.1.

(ii)Postbaccalaureate programs of professional preparation, pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 44259.1.

(iii)Internship programs of professional preparation, pursuant to Section 44321, Article 7.5 (commencing with Section 44325), Article 11 (commencing with Section 44380), and Article 3 (commencing with Section 44450) of Chapter 3.

(iv)Degree programs offered pursuant to Article 5 (commencing with Section 78060) of Chapter 1 of Part 48 of Division 7 of Title 3.

(B)A program of professional preparation pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall provide experience that addresses all of the following:

(i)Health education, including study of nutrition, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the physiological and sociological effects of the abuse of alcohol, narcotics, and drugs and the use of tobacco. Training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation shall also meet the standards established by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.

(ii)Field experience in methods of delivering appropriate educational services to pupils with exceptional needs in regular education programs.

(iii)Advanced computer-based technology, including the uses of technology in educational settings.

(C)A program of professional preparation pursuant to subparagraph (A) for the multiple subject teaching credential shall also include the study of integrated methods of teaching language arts.

(A)Commencing January 1, 1997, satisfactory completion of comprehensive reading instruction that is research based and includes all of the following:

(i)The study of organized, systematic, explicit skills including phonemic awareness, direct, systematic, explicit phonics, and decoding skills.

(ii)A strong literature, language, and comprehension component with a balance of oral and written language.

(iii)Ongoing diagnostic techniques that inform teaching and assessment.

(iv)Early intervention techniques.

(v)Guided practice in a clinical setting.

(B)For purposes of this section, direct, systematic, explicit phonics means phonemic awareness, spelling patterns, the direct instruction of sound/symbol codes and practice in connected text, and the relationship of direct, systematic, explicit phonics to the components set forth in clauses (i) to (v), inclusive, of subparagraph (A).

(5)(A)Verification of subject matter competence, demonstrated through one of the following methods:

(i)Completion of a subject matter program approved by the commission on the basis of standards of program quality and effectiveness pursuant to Article 6 (commencing with Section 44310).

(ii) Passage of a subject matter examination pursuant to Article 5 (commencing with Section 44280).

(iii)Successful completion of coursework at one or more regionally accredited institutions of higher education that addresses each of the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the commission in the content area of the credential pursuant to Section 44282, as verified by a commission-approved program of professional preparation. Coursework completed at a community or junior college that is regionally accredited by an accrediting agency listed in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (g) of Section 44203 or by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges may count for purposes of this clause.

(iv)Successful completion of a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with the following, as applicable:

(I)For single subject credentials, a major in one of the subject areas in which the commission credentials candidates.

(II)For multiple subject credentials, a liberal studies major or other degree that includes coursework in the content areas pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 44282.

(III)For education specialist credentials, either a major in one of the subject areas in which the commission credentials candidates or a liberal studies or other major that includes coursework in the content areas pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 44282.

(v)Demonstration that the candidate, through a combination of the methods described in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) in whole or in part, has met or exceeded each of the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the commission in the content area of the credential pursuant to Section 44282 for multiple and single subject credentials, or pursuant to Section 44265 for education specialist credentials.

(B)The commission shall ensure that subject matter standards and examinations are aligned with the academic content and performance standards for pupils adopted by the state board.

(6)Demonstration of a knowledge of the principles and provisions of the Constitution of the United States pursuant to Section 44335.

(7)Demonstration, in accordance with the commissions standards of program quality and effectiveness, of basic competency in the use of computers in the classroom as determined by one of the following:

(A)Successful completion of a commission-approved program or course.

(B)Successful passage of an assessment that is developed, approved, and administered by the commission.

(c)The minimum requirements for the clear multiple or single subject teaching credential shall include all of the following requirements:

(1)Possession of a valid preliminary teaching credential, as prescribed in subdivision (b), possession of a valid equivalent credential or certificate, or completion of equivalent requirements as determined by the commission.

(2)Except as provided in paragraph (3), completion of a program of beginning teacher induction, including either of the following:

(A)A program of beginning teacher induction that is provided by one or more local educational agencies and has been approved by the commission on the basis of initial review and periodic evaluations of the program in relation to appropriate standards of credential program quality and effectiveness that have been adopted by the commission pursuant to this subdivision. The program standards shall encourage innovation and experimentation in the continuous preparation and induction of beginning teachers.

(B)A program of beginning teacher induction that is sponsored by a regionally accredited institution of higher education in cooperation with one or more local school districts, that addresses the individual professional needs of beginning teachers and meets the commissions standards of induction. The commission shall ensure that preparation and induction programs that qualify candidates for professional credentials extend and refine each beginning teachers professional skills in relation to the California Standards for the Teaching Profession and the academic content and performance standards for pupils adopted by the state board.

(3)(A)If a candidate satisfies the requirements of subdivision (b) through completion of an accredited internship program of professional preparation, and if that internship program fulfills induction standards and is approved as set forth in this subdivision, the commission shall determine that the candidate has fulfilled the requirements of paragraph (2).

(B)If an approved induction program is verified as unavailable to a beginning teacher, the commission shall accept completion of an approved clear credential program after completion of a baccalaureate degree at a regionally accredited institution of higher education as fulfilling the requirements of paragraph (2). The commission shall adopt regulations to implement this subparagraph.

(d)The commission shall develop and implement standards of program quality and effectiveness that provide for the areas of application listed in clauses (i) to (iii), inclusive, of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b), starting in professional preparation and continuing through induction.

(e)A credential that was issued before January 1, 1993, shall remain in force as long as it is valid under the laws and regulations that were in effect on the date it was issued. The commission shall not, by regulation, invalidate an otherwise valid credential, unless it issues to the holder of the credential, in substitution, a new credential authorized by another provision in this chapter that is no more restrictive than the credential for which it was substituted with respect to the kind of service authorized and the grades, classes, or types of schools in which it authorizes service.

(f)A credential program that is approved by the commission shall not deny an individual access to that program solely on the grounds that the individual obtained a teaching credential through completion of an internship program when that internship program has been accredited by the commission.

(g)Notwithstanding this section, persons who were performing teaching services as of January 1, 1999, pursuant to the language of this section that was in effect before that date, may continue to perform those services without complying with any requirements that may be added by the amendments adding this subdivision.

(h)Subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) do not apply to any person who, as of January 1, 1997, holds a multiple or single subject teaching credential, or to any person enrolled in a program of professional preparation for a multiple or single subject teaching credential as of January 1, 1997, who subsequently completes that program. It is the intent of the Legislature that the requirements of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) apply only to persons who enter a program of professional preparation on or after January 1, 1997.

SEC. 12.5.Section 44259 of the Education Code is amended to read:44259.