BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 1853
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Date of Hearing: April 11, 2012
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Julia Brownley, Chair
AB 1853 (Bonilla) - As Amended: March 29, 2012
SUBJECT : Teacher credentialing: transitional kindergarten
certificate.
SUMMARY : Requires the Commission on Teacher Credentialing
(CTC), to establish standards for the issuance of a transitional
kindergarten (TK) certificate that authorizes a teacher who
possesses a valid multiple-subject credential to provide
instruction to pupils in TK and a TK "specialized training
recognition" that authorizes a candidate for a multiple-subject
credential, upon issuance of that credential, to provide
instruction to pupils in TK. Specifically this bill :
1)Requires the CTC, in consultation with representatives from
the department, school districts, county offices of education,
the California Community Colleges, the California State
University, the University of California, and the Association
of Independent California Colleges and Universities, to
establish standards for the issuance of the following:
a) A TK certificate that authorizes a teacher who possesses
a valid multiple-subject credential to provide instruction
to pupils in TK.
b) A TK "specialized training recognition" that authorizes
a candidate for a multiple-subject credential, upon
issuance of that credential, to provide instruction to
pupils in TK.
2)Authorizes a school district, a county office of education, a
community college district, the California State University,
the University of California, or a regionally accredited
college or university that is approved by the CTC to sponsor a
program that meets the standards.
3)Authorizes the CTC to develop rules and regulations for the
approval of a training program leading to a TK certificate, a
TK specialized training recognition, or both.
4)Requires the CTC to issue a TK certificate or a TK specialized
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training recognition to a holder of a teaching credential who
meets the standards.
5)Specifies that this measure does not require a teacher to
apply for or to obtain a TK certificate or a TK specialized
training recognition.
EXISTING LAW:
1)Authorizes the CTC to issue a multiple subject credential and
defines multiple subject instruction to mean the practice of
assignment of teachers and students for multiple subject
matter instruction, as is commonly practiced in California
elementary schools. Authorizes a school district governing
board to authorize the holder of a multiple subject teaching
credential or a standard elementary credential to teach any
subject in departmentalized classes to a given class or group
of students below grade 9, provided that the teacher has
completed specified coursework. (Education Code 44256)
2)Defines TK as the first year of a two-year kindergarten
program that uses a modified kindergarten curriculum that is
age and developmentally appropriate. (Education Code Section
48000(d))
3)Specifies, as a condition of receipt of apportionment for
pupils in a TK program, a school district or charter school
shall ensure the following:
a) In the 2012-13 school year, a child who will have his or
her fifth birthday between November 2 and December 2 shall
be admitted to a TK program maintained by the school
district.
b) In the 2013-14 school year, a child who will have his or
her fifth birthday between October 2 and December 2 shall
be admitted to a TK program maintained by the school
district.
c) In the 2014-15 school year and each school year
thereafter, a child who will have his or her fifth birthday
between September 2 and December 2 shall be admitted to a
TK program maintained by the school district. (Education
Code Section 48000(c))
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FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown
COMMENTS : This bill requires the CTC to develop and issue a TK
certificate that authorizes a teacher who possesses a valid
multiple-subject credential to provide instruction to pupils in
TK and a TK "specialized training recognition" that authorizes a
candidate for a multiple-subject credential, upon issuance of
that credential, to provide instruction to pupils in TK. The
bill specifies that measure does not require a teacher to apply
for or to obtain a TK certificate or a TK specialized training
recognition, however, it is unclear whether a school district
could require a TK certificate or specialized training
recognition in order to teach TK.
According to the author, the Kindergarten Readiness Act was
passed to offer a different and appropriate curriculum for
eligible four-year olds. However, no new formal opportunities
were created or are currently available for teachers to prepare
themselves to offer an "age and developmentally appropriate"
curriculum. As educators across the state have begun
transitional kindergarten implementation, teachers,
administrators and teacher instructors have recognized the need
for CTC to establish standards for a TK certification and
specialization. With a number of school districts already
offering TK and more than 120 districts moving forward with
implementation, AB 1853 begins the process to offer the
professional development many teachers will seek to teach TK
effectively. The specialized teacher training will ensure
teachers are prepared to deliver the age- and developmentally
appropriate curriculum that will prepare TK students for success
in kindergarten and beyond.
Who Teaches TK now? According to the CTC, TK classrooms are
appropriately staffed by the holder of a teaching credential or
permit that authorizes general education instruction in a
self-contained classroom for the grade level of Kindergarten. TK
classrooms as defined in statute are not preschool classrooms or
child development programs; therefore, holders of Children's
Center Instructional or Child Development Permits including
those with the school-age emphasis are not authorized to teach
TK. Employing agencies should distinguish between those
transitional preschool programs intended to support kindergarten
readiness from the TK classrooms mandated and delineated in
statute. Credentials that authorize instruction in TK
classrooms are as follows:
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General:
a) Kindergarten-Primary (grades K-3)
b) Elementary (grades K-8)
Standard:
a) Early Childhood (grades preschool-3)
b) Elementary (grades K-9)
Ryan/SB 2042:
a) Multiple Subject (grades preschool, K-12 and adults)
b) Multiple Subject University Intern (grades preschool,
K-12 and adults)
c) Multiple Subject District Intern (grades K-8)
d) Specialist Instruction Credential in Early Childhood
Education
(A Multiple Subject General Education Limited Assignment Permit
(GELAP), Multiple Subject Short-Term Staff Permit (STSP) or
Multiple Subject Provisional Internship Permit (PIP) authorizes
the same service as a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.)
Students identified as English learners in a TK classroom must
have the same level of services as those in kindergarten.
Therefore, students identified as English learners that require
instruction in English Language Development (ELD) or Specially
Designed Academic Instruction in English (SDAIE) services must
have a teacher authorized to provide the appropriate English
learner instructional services indicated.
Current TK Programs : According to the California Early Learning
Advisory Council in their August 2011 report entitled, "Findings
from the Field," implementation of TK programs varies widely
across the state. For example, Los Angeles Unified School
District (LAUSD) had 36 TK classes in the Fall of 2010 and
expects to have 135 classes in the Fall of 2012. LAUSD
currently provides 3 days of professional development for TK
teachers. Fresno Unified School District had one TK class in
the Fall of 2010 and provided a 5-day Early Childhood Education
training with California State University Fresno.
Existing Professional Development for TK : Loyola Marymount
University currently offers a TK Teaching Certificate, that is
designed to provide TK teachers with expertise to create and
design effective learning environments, curriculum, and
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instruction that are developmentally, culturally, and
linguistically appropriate for young learners. The TK Teaching
Certificate consists of a three-course program of study with a
combination of real-time webinars and online sessions. This
program expands the knowledge, skills and dispositions of
credentialed multiple subject educators.
The author has indicated that the intent of this bill is not to
create a new barrier to entry into the
TK teaching field, but instead to provide an additional notation
or recognition on the teaching certificate of additional
knowledge in the field of TK. As such, staff recommends the
bill be amended to delete the current contents of the bill and
instead encourage the CTC to convene a workgroup of experts to
develop program standards for a new "recognition of study"
notation for a teaching credential in the area of TK. This
notation would still be displayed on a teaching credential, like
an authorization, but would not be a barrier to entry into the
specific teaching field. For example, a multiple subject
teacher could complete additional training or coursework in the
area of TK and upon completion of a commission-approved program,
receive a "recognition of study" notation on their credential in
the area of TK.
Previous Legislation : SB 1381 (Simitian), Chapter 701, Statutes
of 2010, moved up the dates by which a child must turn five to
enroll in kindergarten and six to enroll in first grade.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
Advancement Project
Children Now
Fight Crime Invest in Kids California
FIRST 5 Santa Clara County
Multiple Individuals
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by : Chelsea Kelley / ED. / (916) 319-2087
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