BILL ANALYSIS �
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Alan Lowenthal, Chair
2011-12 Regular Session
BILL NO: AB 1853
AUTHOR: Bonilla
AMENDED: May 25, 2012
FISCAL COMM: Yes HEARING DATE: June 20, 2012
URGENCY: No CONSULTANT:Beth Graybill
SUBJECT : Teacher credentialing: Recognition of study in
transitional
kindergarten.
SUMMARY
This bill authorizes the Commission on Teacher Credentialing
to convene a workgroup to develop program standards for the
issuance of a recognition of study in transitional
kindergarten for holders of a multiple subject teaching
credential who will be teaching pupils enrolled in a
transitional kindergarten program.
BACKGROUND
Existing law defines transitional kindergarten (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 � 48000)
Existing law establishes the Commission on Teacher
Credentialing (CTC) and vests the Commission with the power
and duty to, among other things, establish professional
standards, assessments, and examinations for entry and
advancement in the education profession. (EC � 44225)
Existing law authorizes the CTC to issue the Multiple Subject
Teaching 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. (EC � 44260 et.
seq.)
ANALYSIS
This bill :
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1) Defines "Recognition of study in transitional
kindergarten" as a statement added to a multiple subject
teaching credential to indicate that the holder has
completed a commission-approved program in transitional
kindergarten teaching methods that can be applied to the
academic instruction authorized by his or her
credential. Authorizes a recognition of study in a
transitional kindergarten teacher preparation program to
be offered as part of an initial credential program or
as a separate program for teachers who possess a valid
multiple subject teaching credential.
2) Defines transitional kindergarten pursuant to the
existing definition in
� 48000.
3) Authorizes the Commission to convene a workgroup to
develop program standards for the issuance of a
recognition of study in TK for holders of a multiple
subject teaching credential who will be teaching pupils
enrolled in a TK program. Specifies the membership of
the workgroup to include:
a) The Superintendent of Public Instruction or
his or her representative.
b) CTC-approved teacher preparation programs from
the CSU, UC, and independent institutions of higher
education, as specified.
c) A researcher from a higher education
institution who has experience in early pupil
learning.
d) A representative from a school district,
county office of education, or a charter school
that has implemented a TK program.
e) A TK teacher who has experience teaching
pupils in kindergarten.
f) A practicing TK teacher.
g) A representative of other organizations deemed
appropriate by the Commission.
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h) A parent representative.
4) Authorizes the CTC to add a recognition of study in TK
to the multiple subject teaching credential of a teacher
who meets the established standards.
5) Expresses the intent of the Legislature that a
successful candidate for a recognition of study in TK be
able to demonstrate appropriate knowledge, as determined
by the commission, based on the recommendation of the
workgroup convened pursuant to subdivision (b).
6) Encourages the CSU and other teacher preparation
institutions to establish goals to increase the number
of teachers participating in TK preparation programs.
7) Encourages Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment
(BTSA) programs to provide appropriate support,
mentoring, and assistance to beginning teachers who
teach pupils in TK.
8) Authorizes the Commission to work with the
Superintendent 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 TK
programs.
9) Requires the Commission to use private funds to support
the advisory panel on teacher leadership and
specifically prohibits General Fund moneys from being
used for purposes of the panel. Further specifies that
AB 1853 shall not be implemented unless the Commission
certifies that it has received private funding to
complete the work of the advisory panel on teacher
leadership.
10) Specifies that a recognition of study does not authorize
a holder to teach English learners and specifies that
the recognition of study 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.
STAFF COMMENTS
1) Need for the bill. The Kindergarten Readiness Act (SB
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1381 (Simitian), Chapter 701, Statutes of 2010), moved
the kindergarten start date back from December 2 to
September 1 over a three-year period. Beginning in the
2014-15 school year, the kindergarten start date will be
September 1. Chapter 701 also required, commencing with
the 2012-13 school year, a child who would otherwise be
eligible for enrollment in kindergarten to be admitted
to a TK program maintained by a school district.
According to the author, while the Kindergarten Readiness Act
provided for transitional kindergarten and calls for an
age and developmentally appropriate curriculum, no new
formal opportunities were created or are currently
available to prepare teachers to deliver that curriculum
to the four year olds and "young fives" who would be
enrolled in the program. With a number of districts
already offering a TK program and more than 200 others
moving forward with implementing a program, supporters
maintain teachers in these programs should be prepared
to deliver the age and developmentally appropriate
curriculum that will ensure that TK students are ready
to learn by the time they enter kindergarten. By
setting standards for a recognition of study in
transitional kindergarten, the author hopes AB 1853 will
enable the Commission to create a uniform framework for
a sequenced course of study for current and future TK
teachers.
While an argument could be made that teachers, as part of the
training they receive for their teaching credential,
learn how to differentiate instruction to meet
individual pupil needs, the CTC notes that "Educators
and employing school districts have communicated their
desire for additional development and support in
developing TK curriculum and instruction techniques."
The CTC also states "The recognition of study will allow
teacher preparation programs the option of preparing
multiple subject teachers to meet local school needs
without restricting employment opportunities."
2) State Budget . The Governor's budget proposal eliminates
the TK program established pursuant to SB 1381, although
does not eliminate the changes to the kindergarten start
date. Both the Assembly and Senate Budget Subcommittees
rejected the Governor's budget proposal.
SUPPORT
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Advancement Project
Association of California School Administrators
Bay Area Council
California State PTA
California State University
Children Now
Commission on Teacher Credentialing
Fight Crime: Invest in Kids California
Preschool California
United Ways of California
Individual Letters
OPPOSITION
None received.