Amended in Assembly April 21, 2016

California Legislature—2015–16 Regular Session

Assembly Bill No. 2248

Introduced by Assembly Member Holden

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(Coauthor: Assembly Member O’Donnell)

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February 18, 2016

An act to amend begin delete Sections 44253.3, 44253.4, and 44274.2 end delete begin insert Section 44253.4 end insert of the Education Code, relating to teacher credentialing.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

AB 2248, as amended, Holden. Teacher credentialing: out-of-state trained begin delete teachers. end delete begin insert teachers: English learner authorizations. end insert

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Existing law requires the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to issue a 5-year preliminary teaching credential to an out-of-state prepared teacher who meets specified requirements. Existing law requires the commission to issue a clear teaching credential to an out-of-state prepared applicant who satisfies specified requirements, including verifying 2 or more years of teaching experience.

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This bill would require the commission to issue these teaching credentials within 30 days of receiving all required documentation.

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Existing law requires the begin delete commission end delete begin insert Commission on Teacher Credentialing end insert to issue authorizations for a teacher to provide specific services to limited-English-proficient pupils, if certain minimum requirements are met.

This bill would begin delete require the commission, within 30 days of receiving all required documentation, to issue these authorizations to a teacher who holds a valid teaching credential or is applying for a certain teaching credential as an out-of-state prepared teacher and is able to present a valid out-of-state credential or certificate that authorizes the equivalent level of instruction of English learners. end delete begin insert provide that a teacher who possesses any of several specified California credentials or permits and who is able to present a valid out-of-state credential or certificate that authorizes content instruction delivered in a pupil’s primary language may qualify for that authorization by submitting an application and a fee to the commission. end insert

Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no.

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

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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.

(4) 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:

(A) The nature and content of culture.

(B) Cross-cultural contact and interactions.

(C) Cultural diversity in the United States and California.

(D) Providing instruction responsive to the diversity of the pupil
population.

(E) Recognizing and responding to behavior related to the
characteristics listed in Section 220.

(F) Techniques for the peaceful resolution of conflict.

(c) 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.

(d) The commission shall issue, within 30 days of receiving an
application, a fee, and all documentation required, authorization
under this section to a teacher who possesses a credential or permit
described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) or is applying for a
teaching credential pursuant to Section 44274.2, and is able to
present a valid out-of-state credential or certificate that authorizes
the equivalent level of instruction of English learners.

(e) The commission may issue an authorization under this
section if the applicant possesses a valid California teaching
credential and holds either of the following certificates issued by
the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards:

(1) Early and Middle Childhood/English as a New Language
Certificate.

(2) Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood/English as a
New Language Certificate.

(f) The authorization shall remain valid as long as the
prerequisite credential or permit specified in paragraph (1) of
subdivision (b) remains valid.

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begin insert SECTION 1. end insert   

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, skills, and language
proficiency 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.

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(f) The commission shall issue, within 30 days of receiving an
application, a fee, and all documentation required, authorization
under this section to a teacher who possesses a credential or permit
described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) or is applying for a
teaching credential pursuant to Section 44274.2, and is able to
present a valid out-of-state credential or certificate that authorizes
the equivalent level of instruction of English learners.

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(f) A teacher who possesses a credential or permit described in
paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) and who is able to present a valid
out-of-state credential or certificate that authorizes content
instruction delivered in a pupil’s primary language may qualify
for the authorization issued pursuant to this section by submitting
an application and a fee to the commission.

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SEC. 3.  

Section 44274.2 of the Education Code is amended to
read:

44274.2.  

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter,
the commission shall issue, within 30 days of receiving all required
documentation, 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 departmentalized classes, or a five-year preliminary
education specialist credential authorizing instruction of special
education pupils to an out-of-state prepared teacher who meets all
of the following requirements:

(1) Possesses a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited
institution of higher education.

(2) Has completed a teacher preparation program at a regionally
accredited institution of higher education, or a state-approved
teacher preparation program offered by a local educational agency.

(3) Meets the subject matter knowledge requirements for the
credential. If the subject area listed on the out-of-state credential
does not correspond to a California subject area, as specified in
Sections 44257 and 44282, the commission may require the
applicant to meet California subject matter requirements before
issuing a clear credential.

(4) Has earned a valid corresponding elementary, secondary,
or special education teaching credential based upon the out-of-state
teacher preparation program. For the education specialist credential,
the commission shall determine the area of concentration based
on the special education program completed out of state.

(5) Has successfully completed a criminal background check
conducted under Sections 44339, 44340, and 44341 for
credentialing purposes.

(b) The holder of a credential issued pursuant to this section
shall meet the state basic skills proficiency requirement set forth
in Section 44252 within one year of the date the credential is issued
or the credential shall become invalid.

(c) The commission shall issue, within 30 days of receiving all
required documentation, a clear multiple subject, single subject,
or education specialist teaching credential to an applicant who
satisfies the requirements of subdivision (a), provides verification
of two or more years of teaching experience, including, but not
limited to, two satisfactory performance evaluations, and
documents, in a manner prescribed by the commission, that he or
she fulfills each of the following requirements:

(1) The applicant has completed 150 clock hours of activities
that contribute to his or her competence, performance, and
effectiveness in the education profession, and that assist the
applicant in meeting or exceeding standards for professional
preparation established by the commission, or the applicant has
earned a master’s degree or higher in a field related to the
credential, or the equivalent semester units, from a regionally
accredited institution of higher education.

(2) The applicant has met the state requirements for teaching
English learners including, but not limited to, the requirements in
Section 44253.3.

(d) For applicants who do not meet the experience requirement
described in subdivision (c), the commission shall issue a clear
multiple subject, single subject, or education specialist teaching
credential upon verification of the following requirements:

(1) The commission has issued to the applicant a preliminary
five-year teaching credential pursuant to subdivision (a). However,
an out-of-state prepared applicant in both special education and
general education, who has earned a clear California education
specialist credential, shall be granted a clear multiple subject or
clear single subject teaching credential without first holding a
preliminary multiple subject or single subject teaching credential,
unless the commission determines that the applicant does not meet
the other requirements of this subdivision.

(2) The applicant has completed a beginning teacher induction
program pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section
44259.

(3) The applicant has met the requirements for teaching English
learners, including, but not limited to, the requirements in Section
44253.3.

(4) Before issuing an education specialist credential under this
subdivision, the commission shall verify completion of a program
for the Professional Level II credential accredited by the
commission.

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