BILL ANALYSIS �
SB 837
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Date of Hearing: August 6, 2014
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mike Gatto, Chair
SB 837 (Steinberg) - As Amended: August 4, 2014
Policy Committee: EducationVote:5-1
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
Yes Reimbursable: Yes
SUMMARY
This bill clarifies the use of $25 million in state preschool
funds appropriated in the 2014-15 Budget Act for professional
development of transitional kindergarten (TK) and state
preschool teachers. Specifically, this bill:
1)Species that of the moneys appropriated in Item 6110-196-0001
of the Budget Act of 2014, the sum of $15 million shall be
allocated to the California Department of Education (CDE) to
be used to fund professional development stipends for
teachers, to be administered by local planning councils.
Requires the funds to be allocated as follows:
a) First priority for professional development stipends for
TK teachers. Specifies professional development shall
include, but not be limited to, all stipends for
credentialed teachers to complete at least 24 units in
early childhood education (ECE) or childhood development,
or a combination of both.
b) Second priority shall be for professional development
stipends for teachers in the California State Preschool
Program (CSPP) for the costs of credit bearing coursework
in early childhood education, child development, or both.
2)Specifies that of the moneys appropriated in Item
6110-196-0001 of the Budget Act of 2014, the sum of $10
million shall be allocated to the CDE to be used for other
professional development projects, excluding those specified
above, for TK and CSPP program teachers, as determined by the
CDE, including but not limited to, professional development
that strengthens knowledge of preschool learning foundations,
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as specified.
3)Requires the CDE to consult with the California Community
Colleges (CCC), the California Children and Families
Commission, local planning councils, school administrators,
and teachers in administering the provisions of this bill.
4)Specifies funds allocated by this bill are applied towards the
Proposition 98 minimum funding requirements.
FISCAL EFFECT
1)Annual General Fund administrative costs to CDE in the range
of $150,000 to $190,000 for three years starting in the
2014-15 fiscal year to administer the $10 million for
professional development activities for state preschool
teachers, as determined by the CDE. Cost estimates include
one limited term education consultant to coordinate
activities, seek stakeholder input and provide technical
assistance to trainers and teachers in the implementation of
programs. CDE indicates training will likely be provided by
the Summer/Fall of 2015.
2)Potential, likely minor, state mandated costs for local
planning councils to provide new professional development
stipends for TK and state preschool teachers.
COMMENTS
1)Purpose . The 2014-15 Budget Act provides $25 million for
professional development stipends for transitional
kindergarten (TK) and state preschool teachers and other
professional development as determined by the CDE. This
funding, in part, assists teachers in meeting the expanded
credentialing requirements provided in the education trailer
bill, SB 858 (Committee on Budget). This bill provides
additional clarification and guidance for administering the
$25 million appropriation in the 2014-15 Budget Act.
2)Local planning councils . This bill gives first priority for
$15 million of the total appropriation to professional
development stipends for TK teachers, administered by local
planning councils (LPCs). Second priority for this $15
million is for professional development for teachers in the
California State Preschool Program (CSPP).
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Since 2000, the state has provided funding through the Child
Development Staff Retention and Professional Development
Program (also known as AB 212 funds) for child development
staff retention activities. Funds are provided to 55 Local
Child Care and Development Planning Councils (LPCs) throughout
California. The state provided $15 million for the program
from 2000 through 2008. This funding declined to around $10
million after the recession.
This bill expands the LPC activities to also provide stipends
for TK teachers and State Preschool teachers to attain
educational units necessary to become TK teachers. By
expanding the activities of the LPC, this could constitute a
state reimbursable activity.
3)Technical amendment . This bill intends to specify the use of
$25 million appropriated for Preschool Quality (Schedule 1.2
of item 6110-196-0001). As the bill currently reads, the
reference is to the entire $654 million preschool
appropriation. Staff recommends a clarifying amendment to
reference schedule 1.2 of item 6110-196-0001.
4)Background on TK . SB 1381 (Simitian), Chapter 705, Statutes
of 2010, changed the date by which a child must turn five to
enroll in kindergarten. The bill moved the birthdate date one
month over three years, from December 2 to September 1 by the
2014-15 school year and every year thereafter. Kids who turn
five years old between September 2 and December 2 - kids who,
prior to SB 1381, would have been eligible to attend
kindergarten - are offered transitional kindergarten (TK)
programs, defined as the first year of a two-year kindergarten
program using a modified kindergarten curriculum that is age
and developmentally appropriate.
Analysis Prepared by : Misty Feusahrens / APPR. / (916)
319-2081