BILL NUMBER: AB 1	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Monning

                        DECEMBER 1, 2008

   An act to amend Section 44277 of the Education Code, relating to
teachers.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1, as introduced, Monning. Teachers: program of professional
growth: conflict resolution.
   Existing law requires the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to
establish standards and procedures for the issuance and renewal of
teaching credentials. Existing law expresses the Legislature's intent
to encourage teachers to engage in an individual program of
professional growth that extends a teacher's content knowledge and
teaching skills. Existing law provides that an individualized program
of professional growth may consist of specified activities and
courses.
   This bill would specify that an individualized program of
professional growth may include a course in negotiation, mediation,
and conflict resolution, including peer mediation training and the
theory and practice of nonviolence. The bill would specify that the
course may include basic negotiation skills, communication skills,
basic mediation and peer mediation, and theory and practice of
nonviolence and peace building.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 44277 of the Education Code is amended to read:

   44277.  The Legislature recognizes that effective professional
growth must continue to occur throughout the careers of all teachers,
in order that teachers remain informed of changes in pedagogy,
subject matter, and pupil needs. In enacting this section, it is the
intent of the Legislature to encourage teachers to engage in an
individual program of professional growth that extends their content
knowledge and teaching skills and for school districts to establish
professional growth programs that give individual teachers a wide
range of options to pursue as well as significant roles in
determining the course of their professional growth.
   (a) An individual program of professional growth may consist of
activities that are aligned with the California Standards for the
Teaching Profession that contribute to competence, performance, or
effectiveness in the profession of education and the classroom
assignments of the teacher. Acceptable activities may include, among
other acceptable activities, the completion of courses offered by
regionally accredited colleges and universities, including
instructor-led interactive courses delivered through online
technologies; participation in professional conferences, workshops,
teacher center programs, staff development programs, or  a
  instruction provided by the  California Reading
Professional Development  Program operated  
Institutes  pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section
99220) of Chapter 5 of Part 65  of Division 14 of Title 3  ;
service as a mentor teacher; participation in school curriculum
development projects; participation in systematic programs of
observation and analysis of teaching; service in a leadership role in
a professional organization; and participation in educational
research or innovation efforts. Employing agencies and the bargaining
agents of employees may negotiate to agree on the terms of programs
of professional growth within their jurisdictions, provided that the
agreements shall be consistent with this section.
   (b) An individual program of professional growth may include a
basic course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, which includes
training in the subdiaphragmatic abdominal thrust (also known as the
"Heimlich maneuver") and meets or exceeds the standards established
by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross for
courses in that subject or minimum standards for training programs
established by the Emergency Medical Services Authority. An
individual program of professional growth may also include a course
in first aid that meets or exceeds the standards established by the
American Red Cross for courses in that subject or minimum standards
for training programs established by the Emergency Medical Services
Authority. 
   (c) (1) An individual program of professional growth may include
courses in negotiation, mediation, and conflict resolution, including
peer mediation training and the theory and practice of nonviolence.
Courses pursuant to this subdivision may include the following
components:  
   (A) Basic negotiation skills.  
   (B) Communication skills, including cross-cultural communication.
 
   (C) Basic mediation and peer mediation training.  
   (D) Theory and practice of nonviolence and peace building. 

   (2) A teacher who elects to pursue a course pursuant to this
subdivision may introduce appropriate conflict resolution skills to
pupils through classroom instruction, including, but not limited to,
the core curriculum areas of reading, writing, mathematics,
history/social science, and science.