California Assembly Bill AB1853 Amended / Bill

 BILL NUMBER: AB 1853AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 19, 2012 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 29, 2012 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Bonilla FEBRUARY 22, 2012 An act to add Section 44255 to the Education Code, relating to teacher credentialing. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1853, as amended, Bonilla. Teacher credentialing:  recognition of study in  transitional  kindergarten certificate.   kindergarten.  Existing law requires the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to establish standards and to determine the terms for the issuance and renewal of teaching credentials, certificates, and permits, as specified.  This bill would require the commission, in consultation with specified representatives, to establish standards for the issuance of a transitional kindergarten certificate and a transitional kindergarten specialized training recognition, as specified, that would authorize the holder of a teaching credential to provide instruction to pupils in transitional kindergarten. The bill would provide that 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 commission may sponsor a transitional kindergarten certificate or transitional kindergarten specialized training recognition program. The bill also would allow the commission to develop rules and regulations for the approval of a training program leading to the issuance of a transitional kindergarten certificate, a transitional kindergarten specialized training recognition, or both, and would require the commission to issue a transitional kindergarten certificate or a transitional kindergarten specialized training recognition to a holder of a teaching credential who meets the established standards.   This bill would authorize the commission to convene a workgroup consisting of specified members to develop program standards for the issuance of a recognition of study in transitional kindergarten, as defined, for holders of a multiple subject teaching credential who will be teaching pupils enrolled in transitional kindergarten, as defined, and would authorize the commission to add a recognition of study in transitional kindergarten to the multiple subject teaching credential of a teacher who meets the established standards. The bill would authorize the commission to work with the Superintendent of Public Instruction 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 transitional kindergarten programs. The bill also would provide that the holder of a multiple subject teaching credential who has received a recognition of study in transitional kindergarten is not authorized to teach English learners, except as specified, and that a recognition of study in transitional kindergarten is not considered a type of authorization, cannot be used as a condition of employment, does not replace subject matter competence requirements, and cannot be used in making employment decisions relating to reductions in employee positions.  Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:  SECTION 1.   Section 44255 is added to the   Education Code   , to read:   44255. (a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply: (1) "Recognition of study in transitional kindergarten" is a statement added to a multiple subject teaching credential to indicate that the holder of a multiple subject credential 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. A recognition of study in a transitional kindergarten teacher preparation program may be offered as part of an initial teacher preparation program or as a separate program for teachers who possess a valid multiple subject credential. (2) "Transitional kindergarten" means the first year of a two-year kindergarten program that uses a modified kindergarten curriculum that is age and developmentally appropriate, as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 48000. (b) The commission may 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 transitional kindergarten pursuant to Section 48000. The workgroup shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following: (1) The Superintendent or his or her representative. (2) Representatives from approved teacher preparation programs, including at least one representative from the California Community Colleges, the California State University, the University of California, and the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities. To the extent practicable, the representatives described in this paragraph should have an academic interest or prior experience in preparing teachers to teach pupils in transitional kindergarten. (3) A researcher from a higher education institution who has experience in early pupil learning. (4) A representative from a school district, a county office of education, or a charter school that has implemented a program for transitional kindergarten. (5) A transitional kindergarten teacher who has experience teaching pupils in kindergarten. (6) A teacher who is currently teaching pupils in transitional kindergarten. (7) A representative of other organizations deemed appropriate by the commission. (c) The commission may add a recognition of study in transitional kindergarten to the multiple subject teaching credential of a teacher who meets the standards established pursuant to this section. (d) It is the intent of the Legislature that a successful candidate for a recognition of study in transitional kindergarten be able to demonstrate appropriate knowledge, as determined by the commission based on the recommendations of the workgroup convened pursuant to subdivision (b). (e) With respect to a recognition of study in transitional kindergarten, the California State University and other teacher preparation institutions are encouraged to establish goals to increase the number of teachers participating in transitional kindergarten preparation programs. (f) Beginning teacher support and assessment programs are encouraged to provide appropriate support, mentoring, and assistance to beginning teachers who teach pupils in transitional kindergarten. (g) The commission may 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 transitional kindergarten programs. (h) The holder of a multiple subject teaching credential who has received a recognition of study in transitional kindergarten pursuant to subdivision (c) is not authorized to teach English learners unless he or she holds an appropriate authorization or is employed on the basis of a local assignment option. (i) A recognition of study in transitional kindergarten shall not be considered a type of authorization, 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 pursuant to Section 44955.   SECTION 1.   Section 44255 is added to the Education Code, to read: 44255. (a) The commission, 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, shall establish standards for the issuance of the following: (1) A transitional kindergarten certificate that authorizes a teacher who possesses a valid multiple-subject credential to provide instruction to pupils in transitional kindergarten, as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 48000. (2) A transitional kindergarten "specialized training recognition" that authorizes a candidate for a multiple-subject credential, upon issuance of that credential, to provide instruction to pupils in transitional kindergarten, as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 48000. (b) 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 commission may sponsor a program that meets the standards established pursuant to this section. (c) The commission may develop rules and regulations for the approval of a training program leading to a transitional kindergarten certificate, a transitional kindergarten specialized training recognition, or both, issued pursuant to this section. (d) The commission shall issue a transitional kindergarten certificate or a transitional kindergarten specialized training recognition to a holder of a teaching credential who meets the standards established pursuant to this section. (e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a teacher to apply for or to obtain a transitional kindergarten certificate or a transitional kindergarten specialized training recognition.