BILL NUMBER: AB 1871 AMENDED
BILL TEXT
AMENDED IN SENATE JUNE 24, 2008
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 28, 2008
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 10, 2008
INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Coto
(Coauthor: Assembly Member Horton)
(Coauthor: Senator Cedillo)
FEBRUARY 4, 2008
An act to amend Sections 44253.3, 44253.4, and 44253.7 of the
Education Code, relating to teacher credentialing.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 1871, as amended, Coto. Teacher credentialing:
bilingual-crosscultural competence.
Existing law authorizes the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to
issue certificates of bilingual-crosscultural competence to
specified holders of credentials who will be serving
limited-English-proficient pupils.
This bill would instead authorize the commission to issue
authorizations to those credential holders.
Existing law requires candidates for the certificate to
demonstrate certain abilities by oral and written examination.
This bill would also authorize candidates to demonstrate those
abilities by completing an approved program that consists of
coursework or a combination of coursework and examinations.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Section 44253.3 of the Education Code is amended to
read:
44253.3. (a) The commission shall issue an authorization for a
teacher to provide all of the following services to
limited-English-proficient pupils:
(1) Instruction for English language development in preschool,
kindergarten, grades 1 to 12, inclusive, and classes organized
primarily for adults, except when the requirement specified in
paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) is satisfied by the possession of a
children's center instructional permit pursuant to Sections 8363 and
44252.7, a children's center supervision permit pursuant to Section
8363, or a designated subjects teaching credential in adult education
pursuant to Section 44260.2. If the requirement specified in
paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) is satisfied by the possession of a
children's center instructional permit, or a children's center
supervision permit, instruction for English language development is
limited to the programs authorized by that permit. If the requirement
specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) is satisfied by the
possession of a designated subjects teaching credential in adult
education, instruction for English language development is limited to
classes organized primarily for adults.
(2) Specially designed content instruction delivered in English in
the subjects and at the levels authorized by the teacher's
prerequisite credential or permit used to satisfy the requirement
specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b).
(b) The minimum requirements for the authorization , which
may be completed at the same time as the initial preparation for the
prerequisite credential or at a later date, shall
include all of the following:
(1) Possession of a valid California teaching credential, services
credential, visiting faculty permit, children's center instructional
permit, or children's center supervision permit which credential or
permit authorizes the holder to provide instruction to pupils in
preschool, kindergarten, any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, or classes
primarily organized for adults, except for any of the following:
(A) Emergency credentials or permits.
(B) Exchange credentials as specified in Section 44333.
(C) District intern credentials as specified in Section 44325.
(D) Sojourn certificated employee credentials as specified in
Section 44856.
(E) Teacher education internship credentials as specified in
Article 3 (commencing with Section 44450) of Chapter 3.
(2) Passage of one or more examinations, or by completing an
approved program that consists of coursework or a combination of
coursework and examinations, that the commission determines is
necessary for demonstrating the knowledge and skills required for
effective delivery of the services included in the authorization.
(3) Completion of at least six semester units, or nine quarter
units, of coursework in a second language at a regionally accredited
institution of postsecondary education. The commission shall
establish minimum standards for scholarship in the required
coursework. The commission also shall establish alternative ways in
which the requirement can be satisfied by language-learning
experience that creates an awareness of the challenges of
second-language acquisition and development.
(c) Completion of coursework in human relations in accordance with
the commission's standards of program quality and effectiveness that
includes, at a minimum, instruction in the following:
(1) The nature and content of culture.
(2) Crosscultural contact and interactions.
(3) Cultural diversity in the United States and California.
(4) Providing instruction responsive to the diversity of the pupil
population.
(5) Recognizing and responding to behavior related to the
characteristics listed in Section 220.
(6) Techniques for the peaceful resolution of conflict.
(d) The commission shall establish alternative requirements for a
teacher to earn the authorization, which shall be awarded as a
supplementary authorization pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section
44225.
(e) A teacher who possesses a credential or permit described in
paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) and is able to present a valid
out-of-state credential or certificate that authorizes the
instruction of English language learners may qualify for the
authorization issued under this section by submitting an application
and fee to the commission.
(f) The authorization shall remain valid as long as the
prerequisite credential or permit specified in paragraph (1) of
subdivision (b) remains valid.
SEC. 2. Section 44253.4 of the Education Code is amended to read:
44253.4. (a) The commission shall issue an authorization for a
teacher to provide all of the following services to
limited-English-proficient pupils:
(1) Instruction for English language development in preschool,
kindergarten, grades 1 to 12, inclusive, and classes organized
primarily for adults, except when the requirement specified in
paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) is satisfied by the possession of a
children's center instructional permit pursuant to Sections 8363 and
44252.7, a children's center supervision permit pursuant to Section
8363, or a designated subjects teaching credential in adult education
pursuant to Section 44260.2. If the requirement specified in
paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) is satisfied by the possession of a
children's center instructional permit, or a children's center
supervision permit, then instruction for English language development
shall be limited to the programs authorized by that permit. If the
requirement specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) is
satisfied by the possession of a designated subjects teaching
credential in adult education, then instruction for English language
development shall be limited to classes organized primarily for
adults.
(2) Specially designed content instruction delivered in English in
the subjects and at the levels authorized by the teacher's
prerequisite credential or permit used to satisfy the requirement
specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b).
(3) Content instruction delivered in the pupil's primary language
in the subjects and at the levels authorized by the teacher's
prerequisite credential or permit used to satisfy the requirement
specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b).
(4) Instruction for primary language development in preschool,
kindergarten, grades 1 to 12, inclusive, and classes organized
primarily for adults, except when the requirement specified in
paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) is satisfied by the possession of a
children's center instructional permit, a children's center
supervision permit, or a designated subjects teaching credential in
adult education. If the requirement specified in paragraph (1) of
subdivision (b) is satisfied by the possession of a children's center
instructional permit or a children's center supervision permit, then
instruction for primary language development is limited to the
programs authorized by that permit. If the requirement specified in
paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) is satisfied by the possession of a
designated subjects teaching credential in adult education, then
instruction for primary language development is limited to classes
organized primarily for adults.
(b) The minimum requirements for the authorization , which
may be completed at the same time as the initial preparation for the
prerequisite credential or at a later date, shall include both
of the following:
(1) Possession of a valid California teaching credential, services
credential, visiting faculty permit, children's center instructional
permit, or children's center supervision permit which credential or
permit authorizes the holder to provide instruction to pupils in
preschool, kindergarten, any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, or classes
primarily organized for adults, except for the following:
(A) Emergency credentials or permits.
(B) Exchange credentials as specified in Section 44333.
(C) District intern credentials as specified in Section 44325.
(D) Sojourn certificated employee credentials as specified in
Section 44856.
(E) Teacher education internship credentials as specified in
Article 3 (commencing with Section 44450) of Chapter 3.
(2) Passage of one or more examinations, or by completing an
approved program that consists of coursework or a combination of
coursework and examinations, that the commission determines is
necessary for demonstrating the knowledge and skills required for
effective delivery of the services included in the authorization.
(c) To earn the authorization, teachers who hold the authorization
described in Section 44253.3, or in Article 3.5 (commencing with
Section 44475) of Chapter 3, as that section and that article existed
on December 31, 1992, shall not be required to pass examinations
that primarily assess the skills and knowledge necessary for
effective delivery of the services included in the authorizations
they possess.
(d) The authorization shall remain valid as long as the
prerequisite credential or permit specified in paragraph (1) of
subdivision (b) remains valid.
(e) The commission initially shall issue authorizations for
languages spoken by the largest numbers of limited-English-proficient
pupils for which there are reasonable numbers of teachers or
potential teachers who speak those languages. The commission shall
explore alternative ways to make authorizations available for other
languages.
SEC. 3. Section 44253.7 of the Education Code is amended to read:
44253.7. (a) In addition to the authorizations pursuant to
Sections 44253.5 and 56362.7, the
44253.7. (a) The
Commission on Teacher Credentialing, based upon the availability of
funds, shall develop objective and verifiable standards for an
authorization for bilingual-crosscultural competence for holders of
an appropriate credential, certificate, authorization, or permit who
will be serving English language learners. These authorizations may
be issued to persons holding an appropriate credential or
authorization issued by the commission, including, but not limited
to, counselors; special education professionals, including, but not
limited to, the holders of special education credentials, clinical
services credentials, and school psychologist authorizations; and
child development and preschool professionals.
(b) Candidates for the authorization, by oral and written
examination, or by completing an approved program that consists of
coursework or a combination of coursework and examinations, shall
demonstrate all of the following either at the same time as the
initial preparation for the prerequisite credential or at a later
date :
(1) That the person is competent in both the oral and written
skills of a language other than English.
(2) That the person is competent in both the oral and written
skills in the English language. A passing score on the reading and
writing portions of the basic skills proficiency test administered
pursuant to Section 44252.5 or on the reading and writing
portions of the examinations administered pursuant to subdivision (d)
of in accordance with Section 44252 shall
satisfy the written skills portion of this requirement.
(3) That the person has both the knowledge and understanding of
the cultural and historical heritage of the
limited-English-proficient individuals to be served.
(4) That the person has the ability to perform the services the
candidate is certified or authorized to perform in English and in a
language other than English.
(c) The commission may develop rules and regulations setting forth
objective and verifiable standards for approval of training programs
leading to the authorizations issued pursuant to this
section.
(d) For the purpose of assessing the qualifications established by
the commission in accordance with this section, the commission shall
develop rules, regulations, or guidelines establishing an assessment
system that may include local educational agencies, institutions of
higher education, and qualified nonprofit bilingual testing agencies
as assessor agencies.
(e) It is not the intent of the Legislature in enacting this
section that possession of any authorization established by this
section be a state-mandated requirement for employment. It is the
intent that this is a matter for local educational agencies to
determine.