BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 1304
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ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 1304 (Block)
As Amended April 25, 2011
Majority vote
EDUCATION 7-3 APPROPRIATIONS 12-5
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|Ayes:|Brownley, Ammiano, |Ayes:|Fuentes, Blumenfield, |
| |Buchanan, Butler, Carter, | |Bradford, Charles |
| |Eng, Williams | |Calderon, Campos, Davis, |
| | | |Gatto, Hall, Hill, Lara, |
| | | |Mitchell, Solorio, |
| | | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
|Nays:|Norby, Halderman, Wagner |Nays:|Harkey, Donnelly, |
| | | |Nielsen, Norby,Wagner |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Authorizes the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC)
to convene a workgroup to develop program standards for the issuance
of a recognition of study for linked learning competence for holders
of a single subject credential that will be teaching pupils enrolled
in linked learning programs, as defined. Specifically, this bill :
1)Specifies that members of the workgroup shall include, but are not
limited to, representatives from the California Department of
Education (CDE); approved university teacher preparation programs,
including at least one representative from the California State
University (CSU), the University of California (UC), and
independent institutions of higher education; the business
community, including representatives from local chambers of
commerce; school districts, county offices of education, and
charter schools that have implemented linked learning programs or
similar programs, including California partnership academies;
regional occupational centers and programs; practicing career
technical education teachers; and, other organizations as deemed
appropriate by the CTC.
2)Expresses the intent of the Legislature that a successful
candidate for a recognition of study developed pursuant to this
bill demonstrate appropriate knowledge, as determined by the CTC
based upon the recommendations of the workgroup; and, expresses
intent that this knowledge may include, but is not limited to, an
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understanding of specified concepts and skills.
3)Encourages the CSU and other teacher preparation institutions to
establish goals for increasing the number of teachers prepared
through linked learning programs.
4)Encourages the Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment program
(BTSA) to provide appropriate support, mentoring, and assistance
to beginning teachers who are teaching in linked learning
programs, including candidates who are in externships.
5)Authorizes the CTC to work with the Superintendent of Public
Instruction (SPI) to gather and post, on an appropriate Internet
Web site, best practices from school districts and schools on
curriculum development and professional development relating to
implementing and sustaining multiple pathway programs.
6)Specifies that the holder of a single-subject teaching credential
receiving recognition of study in linked learning pursuant to this
bill is not authorized to teach subject matter content or English
learners unless he or she holds an appropriate authorization or is
employed on the basis of a legal assignment option.
7)Specifies that any recognition of study in linked learning shall
not be considered a type of authorization; shall not be used as a
condition of employment; shall not replace a subject matter
competence requirement; and, shall not be used in making
employment decisions related to resignations, dismissals and
leaves of absence.
8)Defines "recognition of study" as a statement added to a
credential recognizing that the credential-holder has completed a
commission-approved course of study in the subject area listed,
and defines "linked learning programs" as multiple pathway
programs as defined in current law which may include, but are not
limited to, California partnership academies.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee,
minor absorbable General Fund costs to the CTC to convene a
workgroup, as specified in this measure.
COMMENTS : This bill authorizes the CTC to convene a workgroup of
experts to develop program standards for a new "recognition of
study" notation for a single subject teaching credential in the area
of linked learning. Linked learning is a new term that the
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proponents of multiple pathway programs have developed to refer to
multiple pathway programs.
Multiple pathway programs are high school programs that attempt to
make core academic subjects more relevant and engaging for pupils
and they seek to provide access to technical courses and work-based
learning opportunities. The idea behind multiple pathways is to
integrate career based themes and content across all academic
subject areas in order to give students the opportunity to access
both core content and career technical education (CTE) without
having to choose one over the other.
Some teacher training programs have begun to include
cross-discipline teaching techniques into their teacher preparation
programs. According to information provided by the author, San
Diego State University and three other CSU campuses, Fresno,
Sacramento, and San Bernardino, have embarked on a project to bring
a multiple pathways lens to a state-approved single-subject
credential program. In 2008-09 the School of Teacher Education at
San Diego State University developed and implemented a multiple
pathways teacher preparation model which included instruction in
curriculum modifications, inter- and intra-disciplinary
collaboration in curriculum design and delivery, problem-and
project-based learning, industry and postsecondary education
partnerships and integration of CTE standards and work-based
learning approaches with academic standards.
Previous legislation: AB 1223 (Block) of 2010, was substantially
similar to this measure. The bill was vetoed by the Governor with
the following message:
This bill would authorize the Commission on Teacher
Credentialing (CTC) to convene a workgroup to develop program
standards for the purpose of establishing some "recognition of
study" for linked learning competence for credentialed
teachers. Nothing under current law prohibits the CTC from
convening any workgroup without statutory authority.
Therefore, this bill is unnecessary.
Analysis Prepared by : Chelsea Kelley / ED. / (916) 319-2087
FN: 0000930
AB 1304
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