California Assembly Bill AB2706 Latest Draft

 BILL NUMBER: AB 2706AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 18, 2016 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Wilk FEBRUARY 19, 2016 An act to  amend Section 44274.2 of   add Section 33133.7 to  the Education Code, relating to  teachers.   teachers, and making an appropriation therefor.  LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 2706, as amended, Wilk. Teachers:  credentialing.   education technology and digital resources training pilot program.   (1) Existing law establishes a system of public elementary and secondary schools in this state, and authorizes local educational agencies throughout the state to operate schools and provide instruction to pupils in kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive.   This bill would appropriate, without regard to fiscal years, $2,000,000 from the General Fund to the Superintendent of Public Instruction to be allocated to specified local educational agencies for the purpose of implementing a pilot program to train teachers teaching kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, to more effectively utilize technology and digital resources within their instructional day, while also measuring and teaching the critical 21st century skills pupils need to succeed on California's next-generation online assessments, as well as to prepare pupils for college and career objectives, thereby making an appropriation.   The bill would require the Superintendent to develop an application process for the allocation of funds appropriated for the implementation of the pilot program that gives priority to applicant local educational agencies that serve a large percentage of pupils eligible for free or reduced-price meals. The bill would authorize any local educational agency in the state to apply to the Superintendent for funding to implement the pilot program, as specified. The bill would specify topics to be included in the training provided to teachers and pupils participating in the pilot program.   (2) Funds appropriated by this bill would be applied toward the minimum funding requirements for school districts and community college districts imposed by Section 8 of Article XVI of the California Constitution.   Existing law requires the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to issue a 5-year preliminary multiple subject teaching credential authorizing instruction in a self-contained classroom, a 5-year preliminary single subject teaching credential authorizing instruction in departmentalized classes, or a 5-year preliminary education specialist credential authorizing instruction of special education pupils to an out-of-state prepared teacher who meets specified requirements, including that the teacher possess a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.   This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to those provisions and other related provisions.  Vote: majority. Appropriation:  no   yes  . Fiscal committee:  no   yes  . State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:  SECTION 1.   Section 33133.7 is added to the   Education Code   , to read:   33133.7. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, two million dollars ($2,000,000) shall be appropriated, without regard to fiscal years, from the General Fund to the Superintendent to be allocated to local educational agencies that apply for the purpose of implementing a pilot program to train teachers who teach kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, to more effectively use technology and digital resources within their instructional day, while also measuring and teaching the critical 21st century skills pupils need to succeed on California's next-generation online assessments, as well as to prepare pupils for college and career objectives. (b) (1) The Superintendent shall develop an application process for the allocation of funds appropriated pursuant to subdivision (a) that gives priority to applicant local educational agencies that serve a large percentage of pupils eligible for free or reduced-price meals. (2) Any local educational agency in the state may apply for funding from the Superintendent to implement the pilot program described in subdivision (a), and subject to the requirements of subdivision (c). (c) The pilot program shall include both of the following: (1) A focus on teachers who work with underserved populations. (2) (A) An emphasis on enhancing the ability of participants to measure 21st century skills of teachers and pupils using the international standards defined by the International Society for Technology in Education. (B) The skills to be measured and enhanced for teachers pursuant to this paragraph shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, all of the following: (i) Facilitation and inspiration of pupil learning and creativity. (ii) Design and development of digital age learning experiences and assessments. (iii) Modeling of digital age work and learning. (iv) Promotion and modeling of digital citizenship and responsibility. (v) Engagement in professional growth and leadership. (C) The skills to be measured and enhanced for pupils pursuant to this paragraph shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, all of the following: (i) Creativity and innovation. (ii) Communication and collaboration. (iii) Research and information fluency. (iv) Critical thinking and problem solving. (v) Digital citizenship. (vi) Technology operations and concepts. (d) The pilot program shall include training and professional development for teachers to assist them to effectively personalize digital literacy instruction for their pupils. (e) The pupils participating in the pilot program shall receive digital literacy instruction that will enhance the skills these pupils need to succeed in elementary or secondary school, postsecondary education, and careers.   SECTION 1.   Section 44274.2 of the Education Code is amended to read: 44274.2. (a) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, the commission shall issue a five-year preliminary multiple subject teaching credential authorizing instruction in a self-contained classroom, a five-year preliminary single subject teaching credential authorizing instruction in departmentalized classes, or a five-year preliminary education specialist credential authorizing instruction of special education pupils to an out-of-state prepared teacher who meets all of the following requirements: (1) Possesses a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. (2) Has completed a teacher preparation program at a regionally accredited institution of higher education, or a state-approved teacher preparation program offered by a local educational agency. (3) Meets the subject matter knowledge requirements for the credential. If the subject area listed on the out-of-state credential does not correspond to a California subject area, as specified in Sections 44257 and 44282, the commission may require the applicant to meet California subject matter requirements before issuing a clear credential. (4) Has earned a valid corresponding elementary, secondary, or special education teaching credential based on the out-of-state teacher preparation program. For the education specialist credential, the commission shall determine the area of concentration based on the special education program completed out of state. (5) Has successfully completed a criminal background check conducted under Sections 44339, 44340, and 44341 for credentialing purposes. (b) The holder of a credential issued pursuant to this section shall meet the state basic skills proficiency requirement set forth in Section 44252 within one year of the date the credential is issued or the credential shall become invalid. (c) The commission shall issue a clear multiple subject, single subject, or education specialist teaching credential to an applicant who satisfies the requirements of subdivision (a), provides verification of two or more years of teaching experience, including, but not limited to, two satisfactory performance evaluations, and documents, in a manner prescribed by the commission, that he or she fulfills each of the following requirements: (1) The applicant has done one of the following: (A) Completed 150 clock hours of activities that contribute to his or her competence, performance, and effectiveness in the education profession, and that assist the applicant in meeting or exceeding standards for professional preparation established by the commission. (B) Earned a master's degree or higher in a field related to the credential, or the equivalent semester units, from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. (2) The applicant has met the state requirements for teaching English learners including, but not limited to, the requirements in Section 44253.3. (d) For applicants who do not meet the experience requirement described in subdivision (c), the commission shall issue a clear multiple subject, single subject, or education specialist teaching credential upon verification of the following requirements: (1) The commission has issued to the applicant a preliminary five-year teaching credential pursuant to subdivision (a). However, an out-of-state prepared applicant in both special education and general education, who has earned a clear California education specialist credential, shall be granted a clear multiple subject or clear single subject teaching credential without first holding a preliminary multiple subject or single subject teaching credential, unless the commission determines that the applicant does not meet the other requirements of this subdivision. (2) The applicant has completed a beginning teacher induction program pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 44259. (3) The applicant has met the requirements for teaching English learners, including, but not limited to, the requirements in Section 44253.3. (4) Before issuing an education specialist credential under this subdivision, the commission shall verify completion of a program for the Professional Level II credential accredited by the commission.