BILL ANALYSIS
AB 148
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Date of Hearing: April 1, 2009
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Kevin De Leon, Chair
AB 148 (Coto) - As Amended: March 10, 2009
Policy Committee: Education
Vote:10-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC)
to administer a one-year study to recommend effective paths to
transformational leadership through the administrative services
credentialing process for school principals and leaders. It
requires the CTC to conduct the study between July 1, 2010 and
June 30, 2011, with a final report submitted to the Legislature
no later than December 31, 2011. Specifically, this bill:
1)Defines "transformational leadership" as the body of knowledge
and set of skills needed to transform an organization.
2)Requires the study to define how transformational leadership
skills can be added as part of the credentialing process for
individuals in the field of administrative services.
3)Requires the study to determine: (a) whether the CTC should
recommend that credentialing programs add transformational
leadership to administrative services credentials and (b) how
to amend the existing administrative services credentials to
demonstrate standards for transformational leadership have
been met.
4)Requires the study to examine the standards for school
leadership to determine whether they include the requisite
standards for transformational leadership, as specified.
5)Requires the study to examine and recommend the means by which
a person seeking to obtain an administrative services
credential or transformational leadership authorization can
demonstrate mastery of the standards necessary to service as
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transformational leaders in schools.
FISCAL EFFECT
Minor absorbable GF costs to the CTC to complete the study.
COMMENTS
1)Purpose . According to a report entitled, Assessing the
Effectiveness of School Leaders: New Directions and New
Processes (March 2009), "Effective leadership is vital to the
success of a school. Research and practice confirm that there
is slim chance of creating and sustaining high-quality
learning environments without a skilled and committed leader
to help shape teaching and learning. That's especially true in
the most challenging schools." Likewise, many argue that the
skills and quality of a school leader are largely influenced
by the preparation he or she received via the credentialing
process. This bill requires the CTC to complete a study that
recommends effective paths to transformational leadership
through the administrative services credentialing process."
2)Administrative Services Credential . California has a two-tier
credential structure. A five-year preliminary credential is
the first credential issued after an individual meets basic
credential requirements. A clear credential is issued when all
credential requirements have been completed, including two
years of administrative experience. According to the CTC, it
issues a Certificate of Eligibility (CE) to preliminary
credential holders prior to receiving their clear credential.
A CE allows an individual to look for an administrative job if
he or she does not begin one immediately without the threat of
losing their preliminary credential. In 2008, 2,314
individuals received a CE. Only 671 (29%), however actually
received a preliminary credential.
An administrative services credential authorizes individuals
to provide specified services for K-12, including developing
instructional programs, evaluating and supervising personnel,
disciplining students, and managing fiscal services.
Analysis Prepared by : Kimberly Rodriguez / APPR. / (916)
319-2081
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