Bill Text: CA AB525 | 2019-2020 | Regular Session | Chaptered

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Bill Title: Teacher credentialing.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-10-02 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 427, Statutes of 2019. [AB525 Detail]

Download: California-2019-AB525-Chaptered.html

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Assembly Bill No. 525

CHAPTER 427

An act to amend Sections 44225, 44225.6, 44230.5, 44257, 44259, 44260.1, 44260.3, 44266, 44274.4, 44275.4, 44320.2, 44328, and 44468 of the Education Code, relating to teacher credentialing.

[ Approved by Governor  October 02, 2019. Filed with Secretary of State  October 02, 2019. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 525, Luz Rivas. Teacher credentialing.

(1) Existing law requires the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to, among other duties, establish standards for the issuance and renewal of credentials, certificates, and permits. Existing law requires, by April 15 of each year, the commission to report specified information to the Legislature and the Governor on the availability of teachers in California.

This bill would require the commission to periodically provide reports and recommendations to the Legislature regarding the state’s teacher workforce for purposes of developing and reviewing state policy, identifying workforce trends, and identifying future needs.

(2) Existing law requires the commission to establish a nonpersonally identifiable educator identification number for each educator to whom it issues a credential, certificate, permit, or other document authorizing that individual to provide a service in the public schools.

This bill would require the identification number to be used for sharing data with local educational agencies and the State Department of Education for purposes of specified reporting requirements.

(3) Existing law authorizes the commission to issue the single subject teaching credential in world language with an authorization to teach specified languages, including Chinese.

This bill would instead authorize the commission to issue the single subject teaching credential in world language with an authorization to teach Mandarin or Cantonese.

(4) Existing law establishes minimum requirements for preliminary and clear multiple or single subject teaching credentials. Existing law includes as one of the minimum requirements for a clear multiple or single subject teaching credential experience that includes the application of knowledge and skills previously acquired in a preliminary credential program that addresses health education, field experience delivering appropriate educational services to pupils with exceptional needs, and advanced computer-based technology.

This bill would instead require a program of professional preparation that is required to receive a preliminary multiple or single subject teaching credential to provide that experience.

(5) Existing law requires, commencing July 1, 2008, a program of professional preparation to include a teaching performance assessment, as provided. Existing law, subject to the availability of funds in the annual Budget Act, requires the commission, among other things, to ensure that oral proficiency in English is a criterion for scoring the performance of each candidate in that assessment.

This bill would delete that requirement.

(6) This bill would remove obsolete provisions, correct and update cross-references, and make other nonsubstantive changes.

Digest Key

Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

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Bill Text

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

 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, 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) 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:

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

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

(3) 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 commission’s standards of preparation and competence for the preliminary basic teaching credential and the preliminary specialty credential.

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

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) Be 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 before the effective date of the regulations shall, by themselves, 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) 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:

(1) 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 teacher’s credential authorization, with the teacher’s consent.

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

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

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

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

No provision in this chapter may 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. 2.

 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 department’s 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 commission’s 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 state’s 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 commission’s 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 (d) of Section 44203.

SEC. 3.

 Section 44230.5 of the Education Code is amended to read:

44230.5.

 (a) The commission shall establish a nonpersonally identifiable educator identification number for each educator to whom it issues a credential, certificate, permit, or other document authorizing that individual to provide a service in the public schools. The nonpersonally identifiable educator identification number shall be used for sharing data, including, but not limited to, information obtained pursuant to Sections 44225.6 and 44258.9, with local educational agencies and the department. This identification number may also be used to disclose data pursuant to subdivision (t) of Section 1798.24 of the Civil Code.

(b) For purposes of this section, “local educational agency” means a school district, county office of education, charter school, or state special school.

SEC. 4.

 Section 44257 of the Education Code is amended to read:

44257.

 (a) The commission shall issue single subject teaching credentials only in the following subjects:

(1) Agriculture.

(2) Art.

(3) Business.

(4) Dance.

(5) English.

(6) World Language.

(7) Health Science.

(8) Home Economics.

(9) Industrial and Technology Education.

(10) Mathematics.

(11) Music.

(12) Physical Education.

(13) Science.

(14) Social Science.

(15) Theater.

(b) The commission shall issue the single subject teaching credential in world language with an authorization to teach Mandarin, Cantonese, French, German, Russian, Spanish, or any other language that the commission determines is appropriate.

(c) Subjects that are commonly taught in departmentalized classes in California public schools shall be subsumed under the credential categories in subdivision (a).

(d) The commission shall issue single subject teaching credentials in the categories that were identified in Section 44282 as of December 31, 1993, to applicants who were in the process of preparing to earn those credentials before the effective date of the commission’s implementation of subdivision (a).

(e) (1) A person issued a single subject teaching credential in English before the establishment of a single subject teaching credential in theater is authorized to teach theater. A person pursuing a single subject teaching credential in English before the establishment of a single subject teaching credential in theater shall not become subject to additional requirements for the single subject teaching credential in English as a result of the authorization provided by this paragraph.

(2) A person issued a single subject teaching credential in physical education before the establishment of a single subject teaching credential in dance is authorized to teach dance. A person pursuing a single subject teaching credential in physical education before the establishment of a single subject teaching credential in dance shall not become subject to additional requirements for the single subject teaching credential in physical education as a result of the authorization provided by this paragraph.

(f) This section shall not be construed to prohibit a school district from employing a person who holds a single subject teaching credential in another subject with an authorization to teach theater from teaching theater, or a person who holds a single subject teaching credential in another subject with an authorization to teach dance from teaching dance.

SEC. 5.

 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 or single subject teaching credential are all of the following:

(1) A baccalaureate degree or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution of postsecondary 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 accredited institutions to offer undergraduate minors in education and special education to students who intend to become single subject credentialed teachers.

(2) Passage of the state basic skills proficiency test that is developed and administered by the commission 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 commission’s assessment and performance standards, each 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 each 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.

(4) Study of alternative methods of developing English language skills, including the study of reading as described in subparagraphs (A) and (B), among all pupils, including those for whom English is a second language, in accordance with the commission’s standards of program quality and effectiveness. The study of reading shall meet the following requirements:

(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).

A program for the multiple subject teaching credential also shall include the study of integrated methods of teaching language arts.

(5) Completion of a subject matter program that has been approved by the commission on the basis of standards of program quality and effectiveness pursuant to Article 6 (commencing with Section 44310) or passage of a subject matter examination pursuant to Article 5 (commencing with Section 44280). 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) Commencing January 1, 2000, demonstration, in accordance with the commission’s 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 one of the following:

(A) A program of beginning teacher support and assessment approved by the commission and the Superintendent pursuant to Section 44279.1.

(B) An alternative program of beginning teacher induction that is provided by one or more local educational agencies and has been approved by the commission and the Superintendent 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, the Superintendent, and the state board pursuant to this subdivision. The standards for alternative programs shall encourage innovation and experimentation in the continuous preparation and induction of beginning teachers. An alternative program of beginning teacher induction that has met state standards pursuant to this subdivision may apply for state funding pursuant to Sections 44279.1 and 44279.2.

(C) An alternative program of beginning teacher induction that is sponsored by a regionally accredited college or university, in cooperation with one or more local school districts, that addresses the individual professional needs of beginning teachers and meets the commission’s standards of induction. The commission shall ensure that preparation and induction programs that qualify candidates for professional credentials extend and refine each beginning teacher’s 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 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. 6.

 Section 44260.1 of the Education Code is amended to read:

44260.1.

 The minimum requirements for the five-year clear designated subjects career technical education teaching credential shall be all of the following:

(a) A valid three-year preliminary designated subjects career technical education teaching credential.

(b) Two years of successful teaching, or the equivalent, as authorized by the preliminary designated subjects career technical education teaching credential.

(c) Completion of a program of personalized preparation as approved by the commission. It is the intent of the Legislature that the program of personalized preparation be consistent with whether the credentialholder performs full- or part-time service.

(d) The study of health education as specified in paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 44259.

(e) Completion of two semester units or passage of an examination on the principles and provisions of the United States Constitution, as specified in Section 44335.

(f) The study of computer-based technology, including the uses of technology in educational settings.

(g) Notwithstanding subdivision (b), the holder of a credential described in this section shall satisfy the minimum experience requirements established by the local educational agency for each course the credentialholder is assigned to teach.

SEC. 7.

 Section 44260.3 of the Education Code is amended to read:

44260.3.

 The minimum requirements for the five-year clear designated subjects adult education teaching credential shall be all of the following:

(a) A valid three-year preliminary designated subjects adult education teaching credential.

(b) Two years of successful teaching, or the equivalent, as authorized by the preliminary designated subjects adult education teaching credential.

(c) A program of personalized preparation as approved by the commission.

(d) The study of health education as specified in paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 44259.

(e) Completion of two semester units or passage of an examination on the principles and provisions of the United States Constitution, as specified in Section 44335.

(f) The study of computer-based technology, including the uses of technology in educational settings.

SEC. 8.

 Section 44266 of the Education Code is amended to read:

44266.

 (a) The minimum requirements for the services credential with a specialization in pupil personnel services are a baccalaureate degree or higher degree from an approved institution, a fifth year of study, and any specialized and professional preparation that the commission shall require, including completion of a commission-approved program of supervised field experience that includes direct classroom contact, jointly sponsored by a school district and a college or university.

(b) The services credential with a specialization in pupil personnel services shall authorize the holder to perform, at all grade levels, the pupil personnel service approved by the commission as designated on the credential, which may include, but need not be limited to, school counseling, school psychology, child welfare and attendance services, and school social work.

(c) The commission shall continue to issue credentials with a specialization in pupil personnel services under the law as it read on December 31, 1986, for a time period of two years from the effective date of regulations adopted for the issuance of certificates under the new program required by this section, to any candidate in the process of obtaining a services credential with a specialization in pupil personnel services through a previously approved program of study.

SEC. 9.

 Section 44274.4 of the Education Code is amended to read:

44274.4.

 Unless the commission determines that substantial evidence exists that the individual is unqualified to teach, upon the recommendation of the governing board of the school district employing the individual, and notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the commission shall issue a five-year professional clear single subject teaching credential authorizing instruction in departmentalized classes to an individual who satisfies all of the following requirements:

(a) Possesses a valid preliminary single subject teaching credential issued pursuant to Section 44274.3.

(b) Submits verification by the employing school district that the individual has completed an individualized professional development plan tailored to the needs of the individual teacher and the district that includes mentoring, support, and assistance provided by a credentialed, experienced teacher who teaches the same subject as the applicant. The individualized professional development plan shall include instruction and information about the appropriate academic content standards and curriculum frameworks to enable candidates to provide standards-based instruction and shall also include instruction on working with special populations. For purposes of satisfying the requirements of this section, an applicant may complete a beginning teacher induction program as described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 44259.

(c) Submits verification of experience that addresses clause (i) of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 44259.

SEC. 10.

 Section 44275.4 of the Education Code is amended to read:

44275.4.

 Notwithstanding any other law:

(a) It is the intent of the Legislature that both of the following occur:

(1) That this section provide flexibility to enable school districts to recruit credentialed elementary, secondary, and special education teachers prepared in countries other than the United States to relocate temporarily or permanently to this state.

(2) That any and all teachers prepared in countries other than the United States who are granted a California teaching credential pursuant to this section fully meet the requirements of this state.

(b) Coursework, programs, or degrees completed at an institution of higher education outside of the United States are acceptable toward certification when the commission or an evaluating agency approved by the commission determines that the institution’s coursework, programs, or degrees are equivalent to those offered by a regionally accredited institution in the United States. The commission reserves the right to accept or reject an approved evaluating agency’s determination. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the commission shall issue a five-year preliminary multiple subject teaching credential authorizing instruction in a self-contained classroom, a five-year preliminary single subject teaching credential authorizing instruction in a departmentalized classroom, or a five-year preliminary education specialist credential authorizing instruction of special education pupils to a teacher prepared in a country other than the United States who meets all of the following requirements:

(1) The teacher holds or is eligible for a credential from another country that required a baccalaureate or higher degree determined to be equivalent to those offered by a regionally accredited institution in the United States and completion of a professional preparation program approved by the appropriate agency in the country where the program was completed that requires the teacher to meet requirements equivalent to the multiple or single subject teaching credential requirements in Section 44259 or the special education credential requirements described in Section 44265. The commission shall determine the area of concentration for the California education specialist credential based on the special education program completed out of country.

(2) The teacher successfully completes a criminal background check conducted pursuant to Sections 44339, 44340, and 44341 for credentialing purposes.

(c) A teacher prepared in a country other than the United States who has been issued by the commission a five-year preliminary multiple subject, single subject, or education specialist teaching credential shall pass the state basic skills proficiency test, administered by the commission pursuant to Section 44252, within one year of the issuance date of the credential in order to be eligible to continue teaching pursuant to this section.

(d) The commission shall issue a clear multiple subject, single subject, or education specialist teaching credential to a teacher prepared in a country other than the United States who has met the requirements in subdivisions (b) and (c) and who meets the following requirements:

(1) Demonstration of subject matter competence pursuant to paragraph (5) of subdivision (b) of Section 44259.

(2) Completion of a course, or for multiple subject and education specialist credentials, a course or an examination, on the various methods of teaching reading pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) of Section 44259. Completion of coursework in another state or country determined by the commission to be comparable and equivalent shall meet this requirement.

(3) Completion of a course or examination on the provisions and principles of the United States Constitution pursuant to paragraph (6) of subdivision (b) of Section 44259. Completion of coursework in another state or country determined by the commission to be comparable and equivalent shall meet this requirement.

(4) Completion of the study of health education pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 44259. Completion of coursework in another state or country determined by the commission to be comparable and equivalent shall meet this requirement.

(5) With the exception of the education specialist credential, completion of study and field experience in methods of delivering appropriate educational services to pupils with exceptional needs in regular education programs. Completion of coursework in another state or country determined by the commission to be comparable and equivalent shall meet this requirement.

(6) Completion of the study of computer-based technology through demonstration by course or examination of basic competence in the use of computers in the classroom, and study of advanced computer-based technology including the uses of technology in educational settings pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 44259. Completion of coursework in another state or country determined by the commission as comparable and equivalent shall meet this requirement.

(7) Completion of a beginning teacher induction program pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 44259.

(e) (1) A teacher holding a specialist credential pursuant to this section shall complete the requirements for nonspecial education pedagogy and a supervised field experience program in general education pursuant to Section 44265.

(2) A teacher holding a specialist credential pursuant to this section shall complete a program for the Professional Level II credential accredited by the commission.

(f) Notwithstanding subdivisions (b) to (e), inclusive, the commission shall issue a multiple subject, single subject, or education specialist teaching credential to a teacher prepared in a country other than the United States who has earned a valid corresponding elementary, secondary, or special education teaching credential in another state and who meets the requirements set forth in Section 44274.2. A corresponding elementary, secondary, or special education teaching credential earned in another state shall be deemed to satisfy the teacher preparation program requirements specified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 44274.2.

SEC. 11.

 Section 44320.2 of the Education Code is amended to read:

44320.2.

 (a) The Legislature finds and declares that the competence and performance of teachers are among the most important factors in influencing the quality and effectiveness of education in elementary and secondary schools.

(b) Commencing July 1, 2008, for a program of professional preparation to satisfy the requirements of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 44259, the program shall include a teaching performance assessment that is aligned with the California Standards for the Teaching Profession and that is congruent with state content and performance standards for pupils adopted by the state board. In implementing this requirement, institutions or agencies may do the following:

(1) Voluntarily develop an assessment for approval by the commission. Approval of any locally developed performance assessment shall be based on assessment quality standards adopted by the commission, which shall encourage the use of alternative assessment methods including portfolios of teaching artifacts and practices.

(2) Participate in an assessment training program for assessors and implement the commission developed assessment.

(c) The commission shall implement the performance assessment in a manner that does not increase the number of assessments required for teacher credential candidates prepared in this state. A candidate shall be assessed during the normal term or duration of the preparation program of the candidate.

(d) Subject to the availability of funds in the annual Budget Act, the commission shall perform all of the following duties with respect to the performance assessment:

(1) Assemble and convene an expert panel to advise the commission about performance standards and developmental scales for teaching credential candidates and the design, content, administration, and scoring of the assessment. At least one-third of the panel members shall be classroom teachers in California public schools.

(2) Design, develop, and implement assessment standards and an institutional assessor training program for the sponsors of professional preparation programs to use if they choose to use the commission developed assessment.

(3) Establish a review panel to examine each assessment developed by an institution or agency in relation to the standards set by the commission and advise the commission regarding approval of each assessment system.

(4) Initially and periodically analyze the validity of assessment content and the reliability of assessment scores that are established pursuant to this section.

(5) Establish and implement appropriate standards for satisfactory performance in assessments that are established pursuant to this section.

(6) Analyze possible sources of bias in the performance assessment and act promptly to eliminate any bias that is discovered.

(7) Collect and analyze background information provided by candidates who participate in the performance assessment, and report and interpret the individual and aggregated results of the assessment.

(8) Examine and revise, as necessary, the institutional accreditation system pursuant to Article 10 (commencing with Section 44370), for the purpose of providing a strong assurance to teaching candidates that ongoing opportunities are available in each credential preparation program that is offered pursuant to Section 44320, Article 6 (commencing with Section 44310), Article 7.5 (commencing with Section 44325), or Article 3 (commencing with Section 44450) of Chapter 3 for candidates to acquire the knowledge, skills, and abilities measured by the assessment system.

(9) Ensure that the aggregated results of the assessment for groups of candidates who have completed a credential program are used as one source of information about the quality and effectiveness of that program.

(e) The commission shall ensure that each performance assessment pursuant to subdivision (b) is state approved and aligned with the California Standards for the Teaching Profession and is consistently applied to candidates in similar preparation programs. To the maximum feasible extent, each performance assessment shall be ongoing and blended into the preparation program, and shall produce the following benefits for credential candidates, sponsors of preparation programs, and local educational agencies that employ program graduates:

(1) The performance assessment shall be designed to provide formative assessment information during the preparation program for use by the candidate, instructors, and supervisors for the purpose of improving the teaching knowledge, skill, and ability of the candidate.

(2) The performance assessment results shall be reported so that they may serve as one basis for a recommendation by the program sponsor that the commission award a teaching credential to a candidate who has successfully met the performance assessment standards.

(3) The formative assessment information pursuant to paragraph (1) and the performance assessment results pursuant to paragraph (2) shall be reported so that they may serve as one basis for the individual induction plan of the new teacher pursuant to Section 44279.2.

(f) It is the intent of the Legislature that assessments in accordance with paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (b), including the administrative costs of the commission, be fully funded.

SEC. 12.

 Section 44328 of the Education Code is amended to read:

44328.

 (a) Unless the commission determines that substantial evidence exists that a person is unqualified to teach, upon the completion of successful service as a district intern pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 44325, and upon the recommendation of the school district governing board, the commission shall award preliminary credentials to district interns in the same manner as applicants recommended for credentials by institutions that operate approved programs of professional preparation.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 44225, paragraphs (3) to (6), inclusive, of subdivision (b) of Section 44259, paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 44259, and Sections 44261, 44265, and 44335, upon recommendation by the governing board, district interns shall be issued preliminary credentials, upon the completion of successful service as a teacher pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 44325, unless the governing board recommends, and the commission finds substantial evidence, that the person is not qualified to teach. Pursuant to Article 11 (commencing with Section 44380), teachers participating in an induction program pursuant to Article 4.5 (commencing with Section 44279.1) are no longer eligible for funding under the district intern program.

(c) Notwithstanding Section 44261, the preliminary credential awarded to a district intern holding a district intern credential to teach bilingual education classes shall be a basic teaching credential with a bilingual-crosscultural language and academic development emphasis. Notwithstanding Section 44265, the preliminary credential awarded to a district intern who holds a district intern credential to teach special education pupils shall be a special education specialist instruction credential that authorizes the holder to teach special education pupils.

(d) It is the intent of the Legislature that institutions of higher education that operate approved programs of professional preparation work cooperatively with school districts that offer district intern programs for a special education specialist credential to apply the regular education coursework and fieldwork from the special education district intern program toward earning a multiple or single subject teaching credential through the institution.

SEC. 13.

 Section 44468 of the Education Code is amended to read:

44468.

 (a) An internship program, established pursuant to Article 7.5 (commencing with Section 44325) of Chapter 2 or this article, that is accredited by the commission shall provide interns who meet entrance criteria and are accepted to a multiple subject teaching credential program, a single subject teaching credential program, or a level 1 education specialist credential program that provides instruction to individuals with mild to moderate disabilities, the opportunity to choose an early program completion option, culminating in a five-year preliminary teaching credential. The early program completion option shall be made available to interns who meet the following requirements:

(1) Pass a written assessment that assesses knowledge of teaching foundations, is adopted for this purpose by the commission, and includes all of the following:

(A) Human development as it relates to teaching and learning aligned with the state content and performance standards for pupils adopted by the state board.

(B) Techniques to address learning differences including working with pupils with special needs.

(C) Techniques to address working with English learners to provide access to the curriculum.

(D) Reading instruction as set forth in paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) of Section 44259.

(E) The assessment of pupil progress based upon the state content and performance standards for pupils adopted by the state board and planning intervention based on the assessment.

(F) Classroom management techniques.

(G) Methods of teaching the subject fields.

(2) (A) Pass the teaching performance assessment as set forth in Section 44320.2.

(B) An intern participating in the early completion option may take the teaching performance assessment only one time as part of the early completion option. An intern who takes the teaching performance assessment but is not successful may complete the internship program. Scores on this assessment shall be used by the internship program in providing the individualized professional development plan for interns that emphasizes preparation in areas where additional growth is warranted and waiving preparation in areas where the candidate has demonstrated competence. The intern shall retake and pass the teaching performance assessment at the end of the internship in order to be considered for recommendation by the internship program to the commission.

(3) Pass the reading instruction competence assessment described in Section 44283, if required for the intern’s credential.

(4) Meet the requirements for teacher fitness as set forth in Sections 44339, 44340, and 44341.

(b) An intern who elects to use the early completion option must first pass the assessment required pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) in order to qualify to take the teaching performance assessment required pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a).

(c) An intern who passes the assessments described in subdivision (a) and is recommended by the internship program to the commission is eligible for a five-year preliminary multiple subject teaching credential, single subject teaching credential, or level 1 education specialist credential that authorizes instruction to individuals with mild to moderate disabilities.

(d) The commission shall issue a professional clear multiple or single subject teaching credential to an applicant whose employing school district documents, in a manner prescribed by the commission, that the applicant has fulfilled the following requirements:

(1) Holds a preliminary five-year teaching credential issued by the commission.

(2) Completes one of the following in accordance with the determination of the employing school district based upon the experience and individual needs of the applicant:

(A) A program of beginning teacher support and assessment established pursuant to Article 4.5 (commencing with Section 44279.1) of Chapter 2, including the California formative assessment and support system for teachers.

(B) An alternative program of beginning teacher induction that the commission determines, in conjunction with the Superintendent, meets state standards for teacher induction and includes the California formative assessment and support system for teachers or an alternative assessment deemed to meet the standards.

(3) As an alternative to the requirements in paragraph (2), an applicant may choose to complete the California formative assessment and support system for teachers or the equivalent at a faster pace as determined by the program of beginning teacher support and assessment established pursuant to Article 4.5 (commencing with Section 44279.1) of Chapter 2.