AB 1555: Transitional kindergarten: teacher assignments: qualification requirements.

Existing law authorizes a school district or charter school to maintain a transitional kindergarten program. Existing law requires a school district or charter school, as a condition of receipt of apportionment for pupils in a transitional kindergarten program, to ensure that credentialed teachers who are first assigned to a transitional kindergarten classroom after July 1, 2015, have, by August 1, 2023, met one of the following 3 designated criteria establishing qualification for the position: (1) at least 24 units in early childhood education, or childhood development, or both, (2) professional experience in a classroom setting with preschool age children meeting the criteria established by the governing board or body of the local educational agency that is comparable to the 24 units of education, as determined by the local educational agency, or (3) a child development teacher permit, or an early childhood education specialist credential, issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Existing law requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction, commencing with the 202223 school year, to withhold a school districts or charter schools entitlements if a school district or charter school fails to comply with certain requirements, including, among others, the above-described qualification requirements, as specified.

This bill would delay until August 1, 2028, 2025, the deadline for a credentialed teacher first assigned to a transitional kindergarten classroom on or after July 1, 2015, to meet one of the designated criteria referenced above, and would make a conforming change to the above-described withholding provision.