BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 163
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Date of Hearing: April 15, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jimmy Gomez, Chair
AB
163 (Williams) - As Amended March 16, 2015
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No
SUMMARY: This bill expands the current American Indian Languages
Credential to add an American Indian Culture Authorization and
retitles the credential as the American Indian Language- Culture
Credential.
FISCAL EFFECT:
AB 163
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Minor, absorbable costs for the Commission on Teacher
Credentialing (CTC), from the Teacher Credentialing Fund
(special funds), to establish a credentialing protocol with
interested federally recognized Indian tribes. There are
currently at least 109 federally recognized tribes in
California, and under the provisions of this bill, each tribe
would have the authority to create their own assessment system
for their culture.
COMMENTS:
1)Purpose. This bill expands the American Indian Languages
Credential to include American Indian culture. Under the new
American Indian Language-Culture Credential, applicants can be
authorized in American Indian language, culture, or both.
This change will allow for alignment under federal law and
allow experts in American Indian culture to serve as the
teacher of record, ensuring that American Indian cultures and
traditions are preserved alongside American Indian languages.
2)Background. Current law requires the CTC to issue an American
Indian Languages Credential, upon recommendation of the tribal
government of a federally recognized Indian tribe in
California, to a candidate who demonstrates fluency in the
specified tribal language based on an assessment developed and
administered by the tribe. The credential candidate must also
complete a background check and submit an application fee to
the CTC. Credentials are issued for a two-year period and
renewed for an additional three-year period, upon
recommendation of the tribal government. After the three-year
period, the credential holder is eligible for a clear
credential, upon application and the recommendation of the
tribal government, and in consultation with the applicant's
AB 163
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public school employer. Holders of the American Indian
Languages Credential are prohibited from teaching any other
subject area in public schools unless they also hold a valid
teaching credential issued by the State of California.
At least six other states have developed a teaching credential
of American Indian Culture. Those states include: Alaska,
Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Washington and Wisconsin.
Analysis Prepared by:Misty Feusahrens / APPR. / (916) 319-2081