BILL ANALYSIS �
SB 5
Page 1
Date of Hearing: July 3, 2013
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mike Gatto, Chair
SB 5 (Padilla) - As Amended: April 24, 2013
Policy Committee: Education Vote:7-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY
This bill specifies a teacher preparation program for a multiple
or single subject teaching credential shall not include more
than two years, or the equivalent of one-fifth of a five-year
program, in professional preparation, as specified.
FISCAL EFFECT
Potential GF increased costs, likely less than $75,000, to the
CTC to review and approve two- year teacher preparation
programs. This cost will likely be offset by fee revenue paid
to the CTC by programs seeking approval.
COMMENTS
1)Purpose . The CTC issues teaching credentials to individuals
instructing K-12 pupils in California schools. Two of these
credentials are the single subject (generally middle/high
school teachers specializing in one subject area - math,
history, etc.) and the multiple subject credential (generally
elementary school teachers who are authorized to teach more
than one subject area). In order to receive a credential, an
individual must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited
institution, complete a program of professional preparation,
and meet CTC standards, as specified.
A teacher preparation program is generally one year and is
undertaken after the individual completes his or her
baccalaureate degree. Current law prohibits a professional
preparation program from being more than one year or the
equivalent of one fifth of a five-year program.
SB 5
Page 2
According to the author, "Research shows that teachers require
three to seven years of experience to become effective
teachers. However, current law requires aspiring teachers to
be ready to enter the classroom after a one year graduate
training program." The author further cites the additional
teacher certification requirements candidates must meet as
reason for extending the length of teacher preparation
programs from one year to two years. For example, teacher
credentialing candidates are required to receive specialized
training related to English learner pupils and pupils with
special needs.
2)Superintendent of Public Instruction's (SPI) Educator
Excellence Task Force . In January 2012, the SPI established an
Educator Excellence Task Force, a joint effort between the
State Department of Education and the CTC, with the purpose of
improving the teacher workforce, including "develop[ing]
comprehensive recruitment, training and preparation frameworks
for both new and experienced educators." In September 2012,
the taskforce released a report with recommendations. One of
the recommendations was to "lift the cap on credits allowed
for initial preparation to support blended undergraduate
models and successful post-baccalaureate models (previously
approved only as "exceptions" to the one-year rule)." The
report states: "Lifting this cap can provide California
teachers with the more robust training teachers receive in
most other states and strengthen their preparation to teach
culturally and linguistically diverse learners well." This
bill implements this recommendation.
Analysis Prepared by : Kimberly Rodriguez / APPR. / (916)
319-2081