Under existing law, the governing board of a school district may grant leaves of absences, with or without pay, to persons employed in the classified service of the school district.

Existing law establishes the California Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program for the purpose of recruiting classified school employees to participate in a program designed to encourage them to enroll in teacher training programs, as defined, and to provide instructional service as teachers in the public schools. Existing law requires the commission, subject to an appropriation for these purposes in the annual Budget Act or other statute, to issue a request for proposals to all school districts, charter schools, and county offices of education in the state in order to solicit applications for funding. Existing law requires the criteria adopted by the commission for the selection of those local educational agencies to participate in the program to include, among other things, the extent to which the applicant demonstrates the capacity and willingness to accommodate the participation of classified school employees in teacher training programs conducted at institutions of higher education or a local educational agency. Existing law requires an applicant to require participants to provide information, meet requirements, and commit to accomplishing criteria, as provided.

This bill would add wage replacement as one of the criteria that the commission is required to include in its selection of school districts, charter schools, or county offices of education for the program. The bill would require participating classified employees who participate in the program on or after January 1, 2024, to be entitled to a leave of absence from a participating local educational agency of up to 600 hours for the purpose of completing a student teaching requirement as required by a teacher training program. The bill would require a participating local educational agency, upon a classified employee participants request, to provide the participant with a stipend during a leave of absence for student teaching that is equal to the participants regular wages and would require that local educational agency to continue to pay for any benefits during the leave. The bill would require the commission to increase the individual participant award amount to cover those additional costs relating to the leave of absence, including stipend costs. The bill would require a classified employee participant, under specified circumstances, to reimburse the participating local educational agency the amount of grant funding provided to the employee for assistance and would authorize the participating local educational agency to recover that amount, as provided. The bill would make the implementation of these provisions contingent upon an appropriation in the annual Budget Act or another statute for these purposes.

Under existing law, the governing board of a school district may grant leaves of absences, with or without pay, to persons employed in the classified service of the school district.

Existing law establishes the California Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program for the purpose of recruiting classified school employees to participate in a program designed to encourage them to enroll in teacher training programs, as defined, and to provide instructional service as teachers in the public schools. Existing law requires the commission, subject to an appropriation for these purposes in the annual Budget Act or other statute, to issue a request for proposals to all school districts, charter schools, and county offices of education in the state in order to solicit applications for funding. Existing law requires the criteria adopted by the commission for the selection of those local educational agencies to participate in the program to include, among other things, the extent to which the applicant demonstrates the capacity and willingness to accommodate the participation of classified school employees in teacher training programs conducted at institutions of higher education or a local educational agency. Existing law requires an applicant to require participants to provide information, meet requirements, and commit to accomplishing criteria, as provided.

This bill would expand the definition of teacher training program to include out-of-state teacher licensure programs that meet certain criteria, as provided. The bill would add wage replacement as one of the criteria that the commission is required to include in its selection of school districts, charter schools, or county offices of education for the program. The bill would require participating classified employees who participate in the program on or after January 1, 2024, to be entitled to a leave of absence from a participating local educational agency of up to 600 hours for the purpose of completing a student teaching requirement as required by a teacher training program. The bill would require a participating local educational agency, upon a classified employee participants request, to provide the participant with a stipend during a leave of absence for student teaching that is equal to the participants regular wages and shall would require that local educational agency to continue to pay for any benefits during the leave. The bill would require a classified employee participant to agree to various terms regarding the stipend, including, among other things, that reimbursement of the stipend is required in certain circumstances and may be withheld from their employee pay, as provided. the commission to increase the individual participant award amount to cover those additional costs relating to the leave of absence, including stipend costs. The bill would require a classified employee participant, under specified circumstances, to reimburse the participating local educational agency the amount of grant funding provided to the employee for assistance and would authorize the participating local educational agency to recover that amount, as provided.

Under existing law, the governing board of a school district may grant leaves of absences, with or without pay, to persons employed in the classified service of the school district.

Existing law establishes the California Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program for the purpose of recruiting classified school employees to participate in a program designed to encourage them to enroll in teacher training programs, as defined, and to provide instructional service as teachers in the public schools. Existing law requires the commission, subject to an appropriation for these purposes in the annual Budget Act or other statute, to issue a request for proposals to all school districts, charter schools, and county offices of education in the state in order to solicit applications for funding. Existing law requires the criteria adopted by the commission for the selection of those local educational agencies to participate in the program to include, among other things, the extent to which the applicant demonstrates the capacity and willingness to accommodate the participation of classified school employees in teacher training programs conducted at institutions of higher education or a local educational agency. Existing law requires an applicant to require participants to provide information, meet requirements, and commit to accomplishing criteria, as provided.

This bill would expand the definition of teacher training program to include out-of-state teacher licensure programs that meet certain criteria, as provided. The bill would add wage replacement as one of the criteria that the commission is required to include in its selection of school districts, charter schools, or county offices of education for the program. The bill would require participating classified employees to be entitled to a leave of absence from a participating local educational agency of up to 600 hours for the purpose of completing a student teaching requirement as required by a teacher training program. The bill would require a participating local educational agency, upon a classified employee participants request, to provide the participant with a stipend during a leave of absence for student teaching that is equal to the participants regular wages and shall continue to pay for any benefits during the leave. The bill would require a classified employee participant to agree to various terms regarding the stipend, including, among other things, that reimbursement of the stipend is required in certain circumstances and may be withheld from their employee pay, as provided.

 THIRD READING  

Bill No: AB 383

Author: Zbur (D), et al.

Amended: 5/18/23 in Assembly

Vote: 21

SENATE LABOR, PUB. EMP. & RET. COMMITTEE: 5-0, 6/28/23

AYES: Cortese, Wilk, Durazo, Laird, Smallwood-Cuevas

SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE: 7-0, 7/5/23

AYES: Newman, Ochoa Bogh, Cortese, Glazer, McGuire, Smallwood-Cuevas, Wilk

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 7-0, 9/1/23

AYES: Portantino, Jones, Ashby, Bradford, Seyarto, Wahab, Wiener

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 76-0, 5/25/23 - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: California Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program: leave of absence for student teaching

SOURCE: California Federation of Teachers

DIGEST:

This bill requires school employers to grant specified classified school employees a paid leave of absence to complete their required student teaching hours as part of the Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program (CSETCP).

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Establishes the California Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program (CSETCP) for the purpose of recruiting classified school employees to participate in a program designed to encourage them to enroll in teacher training programs and to provide instructional service as teachers in the public schools. (Education Code (ED) § 44393 (a))
2. Requires the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, subject to an appropriation therefore in the annual Budget Act or another statute, to issue a request for proposals, as specified, to all school districts, charter schools, and county offices of education in the state in order to solicit applications for funding. (ED § 44393(b))
3. Requires an applicant (i.e., school district, etc.) that is selected to participate in CSETCP to provide information about the program to all eligible classified school employees in the school district, charter school, or county office of education and assistance to each classified school employee it recruits under the program regarding admission to a teacher training program. (ED § 44393 (c))
4. Requires an applicant to require participants (i.e., classified employees) to satisfy specified requirements before participating in the program, including completing one school year of classroom instruction in the school district, charter school, or county office of education for each year that the participant receives assistance for books, fees, and tuition while attending an institution of higher education under the program. (ED § 44393 (d))

This bill:

1. Adds to one of the selection criteria that the commission uses to select the program’s applicant school employers, the applicant’s demonstrated capacity and willingness to support its classified employee participants by providing a wage replacement for a classified school employee who reduces their hours in order to meet the requirements of the teacher training program.
2. Entitles participants in the program, on or after January 1, 2024, to a leave of absence from an applicant selected to participate in CSETCP of up to 600 hours for the purpose of completing a student teaching requirement as required by a teacher training program.
3. Requires a school employer applicant to provide a participant, upon the participant’s request, with a stipend during the participant’s leave equal to the participant’s regular wages and to continue to pay for any benefits during the leave. The bill also requires the commission to increase the individual participant award amount to cover these costs.
4. Requires a participant who fails to earn a preliminary credential or complete the period of classroom instruction placement to reimburse the applicant the amount of grant funding provided to the participant for assistance for books, fees, tuition, or living expenses while attending an institution of higher education under the program.
5. Requires that the amount the participant must reimburse to be adjusted proportionately to reflect the participant’s service if the participant has completed at least one school year of teaching but less than the required number of school years of teaching at a school within the applicant’s jurisdiction.
6. Provides that if a participant is unable to complete a school year of teaching, that school year may still be counted toward the required number of school years of teaching if any of the following occur:
   1. The participant has completed at least one-half of the school year.
   2. The employer deems the participant to have fulfilled their contractual requirements for the school year for the purposes of salary increases, probationary or permanent status, and retirement.
   3. The participant was not able to teach due to the financial circumstances of the applicant, including a decision to not reelect the employee for the succeeding school year.
   4. The participant has a condition that is covered under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 2601 et seq.) or a similar state law.
   5. The participant was called or ordered to active duty status for more than 30 days as a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States.
7. Authorizes, specifically, applicants to recover from a participant who fails to earn a preliminary credential or complete the period of placement the amount of grant funding provided to the participant for assistance for books, fees, tuition, or living expenses while attending an institution of higher education under the program. The bill requires the amount to be recovered to be adjusted proportionately to reflect the participant’s service provided that the participant taught for at least one school year but less than the required number of school years of teaching at a school within the jurisdiction of the applicant.
8. Provides that the bill’s provisions shall be implemented only if an appropriation is made in the annual Budget Act or another statute specifically for the bill’s purposes.

Comments

1. According to the Los Angeles County Office of Education,

In 2016, the Legislature created the CSETCP. If approved to participate in the program, LEAs then recruit classified staff who want to transition into teaching careers and provide them with financial assistance for expenses related to completing their bachelor’s degree and the credentialing process, including the cost of tuition and books. The initial rounds of funding under the program ended in 2022, and in 2023 Governor Newsom announced $125 million in continued funding to expand the program’s capacity.”

In a December 2022 report to the Legislature on the program, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing noted a need to improve work-life balance for participants so that they can successfully complete the credentialing process. Many participants reported working multiple jobs to makes ends meet, often while raising families. With California facing a severe teacher shortage, it is critical to ensure that this credentialing program work effectively.

1. Need for this bill? According to the California School Employees Association,

Many classified employees are reluctant to pursue a teaching credential because they cannot afford to take twelve weeks of unpaid leave to complete the student teaching requirements. Further, the restrictions on programs have prevented students from being able to utilize some of the state’s best teacher preparation programs. These barriers prevent potential candidates from enrolling in the program and enrolled candidates from completing it.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee:

• While the bill’s provisions would be subject to an appropriation, it could result in Proposition 98 General Fund cost pressure in the millions to low tens of millions of dollars each year to provide wage replacement funds and benefits to classified employees while completing their teacher training program. The bill specifies that the CTC shall use program grant funds to pay local education agencies (LEAs) for this purpose.
• The Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) estimates ongoing General Fund costs of about $133,000 each year for additional staff work necessary to comply with this measure.

SUPPORT: (Verified 9/1/23)

California Federation of Teachers (source)

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees

California School Employees Association

California Teachers Association

Los Angeles County Office of Education

OPPOSITION: (Verified 9/1/23)

None received

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to the California Federation of Teachers,

While this program has been a success for many candidates, barriers exist to ensure that it is fully utilized. Current law prohibits candidates from receiving living expenses or requiring employers to provide unpaid time for candidates participating in this program. Further, the restrictions on programs have prevented students from being able to utilize some of the state's best teacher preparation programs. Consequently, these barriers prevent potential candidates from enrolling in the program and enrolled candidates from completion.”

This bill would address these barriers for candidates to complete the program. The bill requires that candidates in the program can take an unpaid leave of absence to compete required internship hours, may receive living expenses while enrolled, and allows candidates to access a greater number of teacher credentialing programs.

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 76-0, 5/25/23

AYES: Addis, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Cervantes, Chen, Connolly, Megan Dahle, Davies, Dixon, Essayli, Flora, Mike Fong, Vince Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Holden, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Maienschein, McCarty, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Ramos, Reyes, Luz Rivas, Robert Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Wallis, Ward, Weber, Wicks, Wilson, Wood, Zbur, Rendon

NO VOTE RECORDED: Aguiar-Curry, Mathis, Papan, Quirk-Silva

Prepared by: Glenn Miles / L., P.E. & R. / (916) 651-1556

9/2/23 14:07:36

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Senator Anthony Portantino, Chair

2023 - 2024 Regular Session

AB 383 (Zbur) - California Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program: leave of absence for student teaching

Bill Summary:

This bill requires classified employees to be granted a paid leave of absence to complete their required student teaching hours as part of the Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program (CSETCP).

Fiscal Impact:

• While the bill’s provisions would be subject to an appropriation, it could result in Proposition 98 General Fund cost pressure in the millions to low tens of millions of dollars each year to provide wage replacement funds and benefits to classified employees while completing their teacher training program. The bill specifies that the CTC shall use program grant funds to pay local education agencies (LEAs) for this purpose.
• The Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) estimates ongoing General Fund costs of about $133,000 each year for additional staff work necessary to comply with this measure.

Background:

Existing law establishes the CSETCP for recruiting classified school employees to participate in a program designed to encourage them to enroll in teacher training programs and to provide instructional service as teachers in the public schools. It requires the CTC to issue a request for proposals to all school districts, charter schools, and county offices of education (COE) in the state in order to solicit applications for funding. The criteria adopted by the CTC for the selection of school districts, charter schools, or COE to participate in the program includes the extent to which the applicant demonstrates the capacity and willingness to accommodate the participation of classified school employees in teacher training programs conducted at institutions of higher education (IHE) or an LEA.

Existing law requires an applicant that is selected to participate to provide information about the program to all eligible classified school employees in the school district, charter school, or COE and assistance to each classified school employee it recruits under the program regarding admission to a teacher training program.

Existing law requires applicants to require participants to pass a criminal background check and provide verification of specified postsecondary study. Existing law also requires an applicant to certify that it has received a commitment from each participant that he or she will accomplish all of the following:

1. Graduate from an IHE under the program with a bachelor’s degree;
2. Complete all of the requirements for, and obtain, a multiple subject, single subject, or education specialist teaching credential; and
3. Complete one school year of classroom instruction in the school district, charter school, or COE for each year that he or she receives assistance for books, fees, and tuition while attending an IHE under the program.

Proposed Law:

This bill requires, upon appropriation, as part of the CSETCP, classified employees to be granted a leave of absence to complete their required student teaching hours and receive wages and benefits during the leave of absence. It requires a classified employee participating in CSETCP to reimburse these costs to an LEA if the employee does not complete a teacher training program or honor a commitment to teach at the LEA after completing a teacher training program. The bill also provides that the CTC is to use CSETCP grant funds to pay LEAs to provide the wage replacement and benefits.

Staff Comments:

According to the CTC, of the original $125 million in funding available for the CSETCP, approximately $34 million is not encumbered. Assuming a classified employee has mid-level pay of $25 dollars an hour, the wage replacement for 600 hours would be $15,000 per participant, excluding benefits. The bill’s impact would depend on the number of classified employees participating in the CSETCP that would receive these payments, but assuming there are 1,000 participants, the Proposition 98 General Fund costs would be $15 million each year.

-- END --

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Senator Josh Newman, Chair

2023 - 2024 Regular

Bill No: AB 383 Hearing Date: July 5, 2023

Subject: California Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program: leave of absence for student teaching.

SUMMARY

This bill requires classified employees to be granted a paid leave of absence to complete their required student teaching hours as part of the Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program (CSETCP).

BACKGROUND

Existing law:

1) Establishes the CSETCP for recruiting classified school employees to participate in a program designed to encourage them to enroll in teacher training programs and to provide instructional service as teachers in the public schools. (Education Code (EC) 44393)

2) Requires the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) to issue a request for proposals to all school districts, charter schools, and county offices of education (COE) in the state in order to solicit applications for funding. Requires the criteria adopted by the CTC for the selection of school districts, charter schools, or COE to participate in the program to include all of the following:

a) The extent to which the applicant demonstrates the capacity and willingness to accommodate the participation of classified school employees in teacher training programs conducted at institutions of higher education (IHE) or a local educational agency (LEA);

b) The extent to which the applicant’s plan for the implementation of its recruitment program involves the active participation of one or more local campuses of the participating IHE in the development of coursework and teaching programs for participating classified school employees. Each selected applicant shall be required to enter into a written articulation agreement with the participating campuses of the IHE;

c) The extent to which the applicant’s plan for recruitment attempts to meet the demand for bilingual cross-cultural teachers and teachers in shortage areas in transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, and grades 1 to 12, inclusive;

d) The extent to which a developmentally sequenced series of job descriptions leads from an entry-level classified school employee position to an entry-level teaching position in that school district, charter school, or COE; and

e) The extent to which the applicant’s plan for recruitment attempts to meet its own specific teacher needs. (EC 44393)

3) Requires an applicant that is selected to participate to provide information about the program to all eligible classified school employees in the school district, charter school, or COE and assistance to each classified school employee it recruits under the program regarding admission to a teacher training program. (EC 44393)

4) Requires applicants to require participants to satisfy both of the following requirements before participating in the program:

a) Pass a criminal background check; and

b) Provide verification of specified postsecondary study.

5) Requires an applicant to certify that it has received a commitment from each participant that he or she will accomplish all of the following:

a) Graduate from an IHE under the program with a bachelor’s degree;

b) Complete all of the requirements for, and obtain, a multiple subject, single subject, or education specialist teaching credential; and

c) Complete one school year of classroom instruction in the school district, charter school, or COE for each year that he or she receives assistance for books, fees, and tuition while attending an IHE under the program. (EC 44393)

6) Requires the CTC, on or before January 1 of each year, to report to the Legislature regarding the status of the program, including, but not limited to, the number of classified school employees recruited, the academic progress of the classified school employees recruited, the number of classified school employees recruited who are subsequently employed as teachers in the public schools, the degree to which the applicant meets the teacher shortage needs of the school district, charter school, or COE, and the ethnic and racial composition of the participants in the program. (EC 44393)

ANALYSIS

This bill:

1. Requires, upon appropriation, as part of the CSETCP, classified employees to be granted a leave of absence to complete their required student teaching hours and receive wages and benefits during the leave of absence.
2. Requires a classified employee participating in CSETCP to reimburse these costs to an LEA if the employee does not complete a teacher training program or honor a commitment to teach at the LEA after completing a teacher training program.
3. Specifies the grant administrator, the CTC, is to use CSETCP grant funds to pay LEAs to provide the wage replacement and benefits.

STAFF COMMENTS

1. Need for the bill. According to the author, “AB 383 will help improve California schools and address the ongoing teacher shortage by strengthening the pipeline for our valued classified school staff who wish to enter the teaching profession. The bill will ensure that participants in specified teacher training programs are given the time, funding, and coverage for living expenses that they need to complete the program and obtain a teaching credential."
2. Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program background. According to the CTC, the Legislature approved a combined total of $45 million for two separate rounds of funding for the CSETCP—$20 million in 2016 and an additional $25 million in 2017. This grant program provides up to $4,000 per participant, per year, for up to five years. The LEAs that successfully applied to this competitive grant program use these funds to support tuition, fees, books, and related services for participating classified staff; they may also use some of this funding for program administrative purposes. This state grant funding has provided for 2,250 annual participant slots (1,010 slots for Round One, and 1,240 slots for Round Two). The program is designed to address the state's teacher shortages in math, science, special education, and bilingual education, and provide those classified school employees who are familiar with and already working in school settings an opportunity and incentive to complete their undergraduate education and teacher preparation to become a credentialed California teacher.
3. 2022 CSETCP report. The CTC completed their evaluation and report to the Legislature on the CSETCP in December 2022. The report identifies several successes including the diversity of the teacher candidates in the program and the large number of teacher candidates earning an education specialist credential. The report also identifies several challenges for the program participants, including the difficulty of maintaining a full time job, sometimes multiple jobs, and completing the teacher preparation program. Since the program’s inception in 2016-17, the largest racial/ethnic group of classified employees recruited are Hispanic or Latinx (42%), followed by White participants (30%). Of the total 10,088 participants enrolled in program to date, 5.7% percent identified as Black or African American, and 6.37% identified as Asian.

One participating school district reported, "The Classified Program is helping our district address the acute shortage of teachers in special education. Last year, a participant earned a Multiple Subject credential and was offered a full-time teaching position. This program also addresses our district’s goals of increased hiring and retaining teachers representing historically underrepresented communities. The participant who earned the credential is African American. We are proud that 50% of our program participants identify as African American and 33% are Hispanic/Latino."

1. Arguments in support. The California Federation of Teachers states, "While this program has been a success for many candidates, barriers exist to ensure that it is fully utilized. Current law prohibits candidates from receiving living expenses or requiring employers to provide unpaid time for candidates participating in this program. Further, the restrictions on programs have prevented students from being able to utilize some of the state's best teacher preparation programs. Consequently, these barriers prevent potential candidates from enrolling in the program and enrolled candidates from completion. This bill would address these barriers for candidates to complete the program. The bill requires that candidates in the program can take an unpaid leave of absence to compete required internship hours, may receive living expenses while enrolled."

SUPPORT

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees

California School Employees Association

California Teachers Association

Los Angeles County Office of Education

OPPOSITION

None received

-- END --

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT AND RETIREMENT

Senator Dave Cortese, Chair

2023 - 2024 Regular

Bill No: AB 383 Hearing Date: June 28, 2023

SUBJECT: California Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program: leave of absence for student teaching

KEY ISSUE

Should school classified employees who participate in the California Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program (CSETCP) receive a wage replacement and benefits for the period of up to 600 hours they are on leave to complete the teacher credentialing program?

Should CSETCP consider as part of their selection criteria when selecting applicant school employers, whether school employers will provide participant classified employees with their wage and benefit replacement while participating in the credentialing program?

ANALYSIS

Existing law:

1. Establishes the California Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program (CSETCP) for the purpose of recruiting classified school employees to participate in a program designed to encourage them to enroll in teacher training programs and to provide instructional service as teachers in the public schools. (Education Code (ED) § 44393 (a))
2. Requires the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, subject to an appropriation therefore in the annual Budget Act or another statute, to issue a request for proposals, as specified, to all school districts, charter schools, and county offices of education in the state in order to solicit applications for funding. (ED § 44393(b))
3. Requires an applicant (i.e., school district, etc.) that is selected to participate in CSETCP to provide information about the program to all eligible classified school employees in the school district, charter school, or county office of education and assistance to each classified school employee it recruits under the program regarding admission to a teacher training program. (ED § 44393 (c))
4. Requires an applicant to require participants (i.e., classified employees) to satisfy specified requirements before participating in the program, including completing one school year of classroom instruction in the school district, charter school, or county office of education for each year that the participant receives assistance for books, fees, and tuition while attending an institution of higher education under the program. (ED § 44393 (d) (C))

This bill:

1. Adds to one of the selection criteria that the commission uses to select the program’s applicant school employers, the applicant’s demonstrated capacity and willingness to support its classified employee participants by providing a wage replacement for a classified school employee who reduces their hours in order to meet the requirements of the teacher training program.
2. Entitles participants in the program, on or after January 1, 2024, to a leave of absence from an applicant selected to participate in CSETCP of up to 600 hours for the purpose of completing a student teaching requirement as required by a teacher training program.
3. Requires a school employer applicant to provide a participant, upon the participant’s request, with a stipend during the participant’s leave equal to the participant’s regular wages and to continue to pay for any benefits during the leave. The bill also requires the commission to increase the individual participant award amount to cover these costs.
4. Requires a participant who fails to earn a preliminary credential or complete the period of classroom instruction placement to reimburse the applicant the amount of grant funding provided to the participant for assistance for books, fees, tuition, or living expenses while attending an institution of higher education under the program.
5. Requires that the amount the participant must reimburse to be adjusted proportionately to reflect the participant’s service if the participant has completed at least one school year of teaching but less than the required number of school years of teaching at a school within the applicant’s jurisdiction.
6. Provides that if a participant is unable to complete a school year of teaching, that school year may still be counted toward the required number of school years of teaching if any of the following occur:
   1. The participant has completed at least one-half of the school year.
   2. The employer deems the participant to have fulfilled their contractual requirements for the school year for the purposes of salary increases, probationary or permanent status, and retirement.
   3. The participant was not able to teach due to the financial circumstances of the applicant, including a decision to not reelect the employee for the succeeding school year.
   4. The participant has a condition that is covered under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 2601 et seq.) or a similar state law.
   5. The participant was called or ordered to active duty status for more than 30 days as a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States.
7. Specifically authorizes applicants to recover from a participant who fails to earn a preliminary credential or complete the period of placement the amount of grant funding provided to the participant for assistance for books, fees, tuition, or living expenses while attending an institution of higher education under the program. The bill requires the amount to be recovered to be adjusted proportionately to reflect the participant’s service provided that the participant taught for at least one school year but less than the required number of school years of teaching at a school within the jurisdiction of the applicant.
8. Provides that the bill’s provisions shall be implemented only if an appropriation is made in the annual Budget Act or another statute specifically for the bill’s purposes.

COMMENTS

1. Background

According to the Los Angeles County Office of Education,

“In 2016, the Legislature created the CSETCP. If approved to participate in the program, LEAs then recruit classified staff who want to transition into teaching careers and provide them with financial assistance for expenses related to completing their bachelor’s degree and the credentialing process, including the cost of tuition and books. The initial rounds of funding under the program ended in 2022, and in 2023 Governor Newsom announced $125 million in continued funding to expand the program’s capacity.”

“In a December 2022 report to the Legislature on the program, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing noted a need to improve work-life balance for participants so that they can successfully complete the credentialing process. Many participants reported working multiple jobs to makes ends meet, often while raising families. With California facing a severe teacher shortage, it is critical to ensure that this credentialing program work effectively.”

2. Need for this bill?

According to the California School Employees Association,

“Many classified employees are reluctant to pursue a teaching credential because they cannot afford to take twelve weeks of unpaid leave to complete the student teaching requirements. Further, the restrictions on programs have prevented students from being able to utilize some of the state’s best teacher preparation programs. These barriers prevent potential candidates from enrolling in the program and enrolled candidates from completing it.”

3. Proponent Arguments

According to the author,

“AB 383 will help improve California schools and address the ongoing teacher shortage by strengthening the pipeline for our valued classified school staff who wish to enter the teaching profession. The bill will ensure that participants in specified teacher training programs are given the time, funding, and coverage for living expenses that they need to complete the program and obtain a teaching credential.”

4. Opponent Arguments:

None received.

5. Dual Referral: The Senate Rules Committee referred this bill to the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee and the Senate Education Committee.

5. Prior Legislation:

AB 130 (Committee on Budget, §129), Chapter 44, Statutes of 2021, provided $125 million Proposition 98 General Fund to extend the CSETCP until June 30, 2026. The legislation specified CTC is to allocate grants to at least 5,208 new classified employee participants.

AB 1624 (Committee on Budget, § 1), Chapter 319, Statutes 2016, created CSETCP and authorized CTC to award grants to LEAs to recruit classified school employees to enroll in teacher training programs and then serve as teachers in public schools.

SUPPORT

California Federation of Teachers (Sponsor)

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees

California School Employees Association

California Teachers Association

Los Angeles County Office of Education

OPPOSITION

None received

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ASSEMBLY THIRD READING

ATR Bill Id:AB 383

Author:(Zbur)

As Amended Ver:May 18, 2023

Majority vote

SUMMARY

Requires, upon appropriation, as part of the Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program (CSETCP), classified employees to be granted a leave of absence to complete their required student teaching hours and receive wages and benefits during the leave of absence.

Major Provisions

1. Requires a classified employee participating in CSETCP to reimburse these costs to an LEA if the employee does not complete a teacher training program or honor a commitment to teach at the LEA after completing a teacher training program.
2. Specifies the grant administrator, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), is to use CSETCP grant funds to pay LEAs to provide the wage replacement and benefits.

COMMENTS

Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program background. According to the CTC, the Legislature approved a combined total of $45 million for two separate rounds of funding for the Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program (CSETCP)—$20 million in 2016 and an additional $25 million in 2017. This grant program provides up to $4,000 per participant, per year, for up to five years. The LEAs that successfully applied to this competitive grant program use these funds to support tuition, fees, books, and related services for participating classified staff; they may also use some of this funding for program administrative purposes. This state grant funding has provided for 2,250 annual participant slots (1,010 slots for Round One, and 1,250 slots for Round Two). The program is designed to address the state's teacher shortages in math, science, special education, and bilingual education, and provide those classified school employees who are familiar with and already working in school settings an opportunity and incentive to complete their undergraduate education and teacher preparation to become a credentialed California teacher.

2022 CSETC program report. The CTC completed their evaluation and report to the Legislature on the CSETCP in December 2022. The report identifies several successes including the diversity of the teacher candidates in the program and the large number of teacher candidates earning an education specialist credential. The report also identifies several challenges for the program participants, including the difficulty of maintaining a full time job, sometimes multiple jobs, and completing the teacher preparation program. Since the program’s inception in 2016-17, the largest racial/ethnic group of classified employees recruited are Hispanic or Latinx (42%), followed by White participants (30%). Of the total 10,088 participants enrolled in program to date, 5.7% percent identified as Black or African American, and 6.37% identified as Asian.

One participating school district reported, "The Classified Program is helping our district address the acute shortage of teachers in special education. Last year, a participant earned a Multiple Subject credential and was offered a full-time teaching position. This program also addresses our district’s goals of increased hiring and retaining teachers representing historically underrepresented communities. The participant who earned the credential is African American. We are proud that 50% of our program participants identify as African American and 33% are Hispanic/Latino."

According to the Author

"AB 383 will help improve California schools and address the ongoing teacher shortage by strengthening the pipeline for our valued classified school staff who wish to enter the teaching profession. The bill will ensure that participants in specified teacher training programs are given the time, funding, and coverage for living expenses that they need to complete the program and obtain a teaching credential."

Arguments in Support

The California Federation of Teachers states, "While this program has been a success for many candidates, barriers exist to ensure that it is fully utilized. Current law prohibits candidates from receiving living expenses or requiring employers to provide unpaid time for candidates participating in this program. Further, the restrictions on programs have prevented students from being able to utilize some of the state's best teacher preparation programs. Consequently, these barriers prevent potential candidates from enrolling in the program and enrolled candidates from completion. This bill would address these barriers for candidates to complete the program. The bill requires that candidates in the program can take an unpaid leave of absence to compete required internship hours, may receive living expenses while enrolled."

Arguments in Opposition

None on file.

FISCAL COMMENTS

According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee,

1. Proposition 98 General Fund cost pressures, potentially in the millions of dollars to provide funding for wage replacement and benefits while classified employees complete their teacher training programs.

Assuming a classified employee has mid-level pay of $25 dollars an hour, wage replacement for 600 hours would be $15,000 per participant, not including payment for benefits. If CTC were to provide this funding to 1,000 classified employee participating in CSETCP, costs would be $15 million.

1. Ongoing Special Fund costs of about $133,000 annually for CTC staff to work with grantees to comply with this bill, such as determining pay scales and other associated costs.

VOTES

ASM EDUCATION: 7-0-0

YES: Muratsuchi, Megan Dahle, Juan Carrillo, Hoover, Lee, McCarty, Quirk-Silva

ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 11-0-5

YES: Holden, Bryan, Calderon, Wendy Carrillo, Mike Fong, Hart, Lowenthal, Papan, Pellerin, Weber, Ortega

ABS, ABST OR NV: Megan Dahle, Dixon, Mathis, Robert Rivas, Sanchez

UPDATED

VERSION: May 18, 2023

CONSULTANT: Chelsea Kelley / ED. / (916) 319-2087 FN: 0000953

Date of Hearing: April 19, 2023

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Chris Holden, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 383

Author:(Zbur) – As Amended Ver:March 28, 2023

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

SUMMARY:

This bill modifies, as of January 1, 2024, the California Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program (CSETCP) to require a local educational agency (LEA) receiving grant funds from CSETCP to provide a classified employee participating in CSETCP with a leave of absence of up to 600 hours to complete a teacher training program, wage replacement for that leave of absence, and benefits during that absence. The bill also requires a classified employee participating in CSETCP to reimburse these costs to an LEA if the employee does not complete a teacher training program or honor a commitment to teach at the LEA after completing a teacher training program. The bill specifies the grant administrator, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), is to use CSETCP grant funds to pay LEAs to provide the wage replacement and benefits.

FISCAL EFFECT:

1. Proposition 98 General Fund cost pressures, potentially in the millions of dollars, to existing CSETCP grant funds to provide funding for wage replacement and benefits while classified employees complete their teacher training programs.

According to CTC, CSETCP has $34 million unencumbered. Assuming a classified employee has mid-level pay of $25 dollars an hour, wage replacement for 600 hours would be $15,000 per participant, not including payment for benefits. If CTC were to provide this funding to 1,000 classified employee participating in CSETCP, costs would be $15 million.

1. Ongoing Special Fund costs of about $133,000 annually for CTC staff to work with grantees to comply with this bill, such as determining pay scales and other associated costs.

COMMENTS:

1. Purpose. According to the Classified School Employees Association, a supporter of this bill:

The California Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program (CCSETCP) provides a pathway for classified school employees to become teachers…Classified school employees participating in CCSETCP can receive up to $4,000 annually to spend on education costs. To complete the program, participants must complete twelve weeks of student teaching, which is unpaid. CCSETCP covers education costs, such as tuition and books; however, it does not cover the program participants living expenses during their student teaching.

Current law prohibits CCSETCP participants from receiving wage replacements. Also, employers are not required to provide unpaid time off to participate in the program. Many classified employees are reluctant to pursue a teaching credential because they cannot afford to take twelve weeks of unpaid leave to complete the student teaching requirements. Further, the restrictions on programs have prevented students from being able to utilize some of the state’s best teacher preparation programs. These barriers prevent potential candidates from enrolling in the program and enrolled candidates from completing it.

This bill aims to address these barriers.

1. Background. AB 1624 (Committee on Budget), Chapter 319, Statutes 2016, created CSETCP and authorized CTC to award grants to LEAs to recruit classified school employees to enroll in teacher training programs and then serve as teachers in public schools. The program pays the costs of tuition, fees, and books required for a classified employee to complete a teacher training program. The program also requires an LEA to certify that it has received a commitment from each program participant that the participant will complete necessary steps to attain a teaching credential and complete one school year of classroom instruction in the LEA for each year the participant received assistance from CSETCP.

AB 130 (Committee on Budget), Chapter 44, Statutes of 2021, provided $125 million Proposition 98 General Fund to extend the CSETCP until June 30, 2026. The legislation specified CTC is to allocate grants to at least 5,208 new classified employee participants.

CTC’s evaluation of CSETCP, completed in December 2022, identified several challenges for program participants, including the difficulty completing the teacher training program while maintaining a full time job.

Analysis Prepared by: Natasha Collins / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: March 22, 2023

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Al Muratsuchi, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 383 (

Author:Zbur) – As Introduced Ver:February 2, 2023

SUBJECT: California Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program: leave of absence for student teaching

SUMMARY: Requires, as part of the Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program, classified employees to be granted a leave of absence to complete their required student teaching hours and receive wages and benefits during the leave of absence in exchange for a commitment to teach for 5 years; and authorizes out-of-state teacher preparation programs to participate in this program. Specifically, this bill:

1. Requires applicants for the Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program to demonstrate the capacity and willingness to accommodate the participation of classified employees by providing wage replacement for a classified school employee who reduces their hours in order to meet the requirements of their teacher training program. 
2. Requires that participants be entitled to a leave of absence of up to 600 hours for the purpose of completing a student teaching requirement as required by a teacher training program, and requires an applicant to provide a participant, upon the participant’s request, with a stipend that is equal to the participant’s regular wages and shall continue to pay for any benefits during the leave.
3. Requires that a participant complete one school year of classroom instruction in the school district, charter school, or county office of education (COE) for each year that the participant receives assistance for books, fees, tuition, or living expenses  while attending an institution of higher education under the program.
4. Requires a participant to sign an agreement acknowledging that if the participant requests and receives a stipend, paid benefits, or both, they agree to all of the following terms:
   1. The participant shall reimburse the state or the applicant in full for the stipend, paid benefits, or both, with interest at the legal rate if the participant accepts a teaching position during the regular school year at a school that is not in the state within three years of obtaining their teaching certificate.
   2. Unless the participant serves a total of at least five years as a teacher for local educational agencies (LEAs) within the state, the participant shall reimburse the state or the applicant one-half the stipend, paid benefits, or both, that were received if the participant is offered a teaching position by the same applicant that paid their stipend or benefits, or both, and the participant either declines the position or accepts the position and resigns within the first three years and subsequently works as a teacher for a different LEA within the state.
   3. Reimbursement shall be excused for either of the following reasons:
      1. There are no available in-state teaching positions within a 60-mile radius of the participant’s residence.
      2. The participant suffers from a disability that precludes the participant from continuing to work as a teacher.
   4. Reimbursement may be pursued by the applicant, the state, or either of their designees starting five years after the participant has completed their teaching program. States that in addition to reimbursement of the principal sum, the participant shall be liable for prejudgment interest and all expenses of collection, including, but not limited to, attorney’s fees. States that if an employer learns that a participant who received a stipend, paid benefits, or both, from an applicant is now subject to reimbursement and is still due to receive pay from this employer, then the employer shall deduct the sum owed by the participant, not to exceed the legal minimum wage, and shall remit those funds to the state. States that pay may be withheld until the entire sum owed by the participant has been satisfied.
5. Defines “CAEP” as the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.
6. Defines “Institutions of higher education” as the California Community Colleges, the California State University, the University of California, and other public and private not-for-profit institutions of higher education that offer either a CTC-approved teacher preparation program or a program that is accredited both regionally and by CAEP. 
7. Defines “Teacher training program” as an out-of-state teacher licensure program that meets all of the following criteria:
   1. Has both regional accreditation and accreditation by CAEP.
   2. Offers an applicant a teaching license that can then be used to receive a valid California teaching credential from the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).
   3. Includes a developmentally sequenced career ladder to provide instruction, coursework, and clearly defined tasks for each level of the ladder and that is designed to qualify students enrolled in the program for a teaching credential authorizing instruction in kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Establishes the California Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program for recruiting classified school employees to participate in a program designed to encourage them to enroll in teacher training programs and to provide instructional service as teachers in the public schools. (Education Code 44393)
2. Requires the CTC to issue a request for proposals to all school districts, charter schools, and county offices of education in the state in order to solicit applications for funding. Requires the criteria adopted by the CTC for the selection of school districts, charter schools, or county offices of education to participate in the program to include all of the following:
   1. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates the capacity and willingness to accommodate the participation of classified school employees in teacher training programs conducted at institutions of higher education or a local educational agency;
   2. The extent to which the applicant’s plan for the implementation of its recruitment program involves the active participation of one or more local campuses of the participating institutions of higher education (IHE) in the development of coursework and teaching programs for participating classified school employees. Each selected applicant shall be required to enter into a written articulation agreement with the participating campuses of the IHE;
   3. The extent to which the applicant’s plan for recruitment attempts to meet the demand for bilingual cross-cultural teachers and teachers in shortage areas in transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, and grades 1 to 12, inclusive;
   4. The extent to which a developmentally sequenced series of job descriptions leads from an entry-level classified school employee position to an entry-level teaching position in that school district, charter school, or COE; and
   5. The extent to which the applicant’s plan for recruitment attempts to meet its own specific teacher needs. (EC 44393)
3. Requires an applicant that is selected to participate to provide information about the program to all eligible classified school employees in the school district, charter school, or COE and assistance to each classified school employee it recruits under the program regarding admission to a teacher training program. (EC 44393)
4. Requires applicants to require participants to satisfy both of the following requirements before participating in the program:
   1. Pass a criminal background check; and
   2. Provide verification of one of the following:
      1. Has earned an associate or higher level degree; or
      2. Has successfully completed at least two years of study at a postsecondary educational institution. (EC 44393)
5. Requires an applicant to certify that it has received a commitment from each participant that he or she will accomplish all of the following:
   1. Graduate from an institution of higher education under the program with a bachelor’s degree;
   2. Complete all of the requirements for, and obtain, a multiple subject, single subject, or education specialist teaching credential; and
   3. Complete one school year of classroom instruction in the school district, charter school, or COE for each year that he or she receives assistance for books, fees, and tuition while attending an institution of higher education under the program. (EC 44393)
6. Requires the CTC, on or before January 1 of each year, to report to the Legislature regarding the status of the program, including, but not limited to, the number of classified school employees recruited, the academic progress of the classified school employees recruited, the number of classified school employees recruited who are subsequently employed as teachers in the public schools, the degree to which the applicant meets the teacher shortage needs of the school district, charter school, or COE, and the ethnic and racial composition of the participants in the program. (EC 44393)

FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown

COMMENTS:

Need for the bill. According to the author, “AB 383 will help improve California schools and address the ongoing teacher shortage by strengthening the pipeline for our valued classified school staff who wish to enter the teaching profession. The bill will ensure that participants in specified teacher training programs are given the time, funding, and coverage for living expenses that they need to complete the program and obtain a teaching credential.”

Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program background. According to the CTC, the Legislature approved a combined total of $45 million for two separate rounds of funding for the Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program (CSETC)—$20 million in 2016 and an additional $25 million in 2017. This grant program provides up to $4,000 per participant, per year, for up to five years. The LEAs that successfully applied to this competitive grant program use these funds to support tuition, fees, books, and related services for participating classified staff; they may also use some of this funding for program administrative purposes. This state grant funding has provided for 2,250 annual participant slots (1,010 slots for Round One, and 1,250 slots for Round Two). The program is designed to address the state’s teacher shortages in math, science, special education, and bilingual education, and provide those classified school employees who are familiar with and already working in school settings an opportunity and incentive to complete their undergraduate education and teacher preparation to become a credentialed California teacher.

2022 CSETC program report. The CTC completed their evaluation and report to the Legislature on the CSETC program in December 2022. The report identifies several successes including the diversity of the teacher candidates in the program and the large number of teacher candidates earning an education specialist credential. The report also identifies several challenges for the program participates, including the difficulty of maintaining a full time job, sometimes multiple jobs, and completing the teacher preparation program. Below are excerpts from the report:

“The table below provides the numbers of earned credential areas across Rounds One and Two per fiscal year spanning the last six years. Reviewing the data from the past six years, participants have earned a total of 1625 credentials. The Education Specialist credential is the most earned credential area, with a total of 765 from both rounds over the last six years. Subsequently, the Multiple Subject credential is the second most earned credential area, with a total of 518.” As a result of this program, 1,145 former classified employees are now serving as teachers.

(Source: CTC)

Since the program’s inception in 2016-17, the largest racial/ethnic group of classified employees recruited are Hispanic or Latinx (42%), followed by White participants (30%). Of the total 10,088 participants enrolled in program to date, 5.7% percent identified as Black or African American, and 6.37% identified as Asian.

(Source: CTC)

One participating school district reported, “The Classified Program is helping our district address the acute shortage of teachers in special education. Last year, a participant earned a Multiple Subject credential and was offered a full-time teaching position. This program also addresses our district’s goals of increased hiring and retaining teachers representing historically underrepresented communities. The participant who earned the credential is African American. We are proud that 50% of our program participants identify as African American and 33% are Hispanic/Latino.”

Repayment provision. The repayment provisions in this bill are different than other state teacher recruitment programs such as the Teacher Residency Grant Program. This bill requires teacher candidates to commit to work in the district for 5 years, whereas the teacher residency program requires a 4 year commitment. Further, this bill requires the candidate to repay 50% of the program costs and pay collections fees and legal fees if they don’t fulfill their 5 year teaching commitment. The teacher residency program gives more flexibility with regard to reasons for failing to complete the commitment and authorizes the district to seek repayment from the candidate, but does not require them to pay collections fees or legal fees. The Committee should consider whether the repayment requirements for the CSETC program should be different or the same as the teacher residency program.

Out of state teacher preparation programs. This bill allows out of state teacher preparation programs to participate in the CSETC program. This means that California classified school employees participating in this program would be authorized to enroll in out of state teacher preparation programs and the tuition for those programs would be paid with state dollars. With the large number of teacher preparation programs accredited within California, it is unclear why it is necessary for program funds to be spent out of state. Further, completing a teacher preparation program out of state creates more hurdles for the candidate to become credentialed in California. The Committee should consider whether it is appropriate for state funds to be used for teacher preparation programs that are out of state.

Recommended Committee Amendments. Staff recommends that the bill be amended as follows:

1. Delete the authorization for out of state teacher preparation programs to participate in this program.
2. Delete the requirement for candidates to teach in California schools for 5 years, and amend the repayment provisions to mirror those in existing law for teacher residency candidates.
3. Clarify that the changes this bill makes to the program shall apply to candidates participating in the program at the time the bill goes into effect, and that the CTC shall increase the per-candidate award amounts to cover the additional costs associated with the requirements of this bill.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees

California Federation of Teachers AFL-CIO

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Chelsea Kelley / ED. / (916) 319-2087