BILL NUMBER: SB 915INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Senator Liu JANUARY 26, 2016 An act to add Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 44760) to Part 25 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Education Code, relating to teacher recruitment. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 915, as introduced, Liu. Teacher recruitment: California Center on Teaching Careers. Existing law establishes various programs for the recruitment of teachers. This bill would establish the California Center on Teaching Careers for the purposes of recruiting qualified and capable individuals into the teaching profession. From funds appropriated for that purpose, the Superintendent of Public Instruction would be required to contract with a local educational agency to establish and administer the center with the concurrence, as defined, of representatives of the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the University of California, the California State University, and independent institutions of higher education, as defined. The California Center on Teaching Careers would be required to perform specified duties, including, among others, creating or expanding a referral database for qualified teachers seeking employment in the public schools. The bill would authorize the California Center on Teaching Careers, in conducting those duties, to coordinate and work collaboratively with the Education Job Opportunities Information Network, existing teacher recruitment centers, school districts, county offices of education, and other teachers clubs and organizations. This bill would require the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, in consultation with the Legislative Analyst, to conduct an evaluation of the program on or before January 1, 2020. 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. It is the intent of the Legislature that ongoing support for the California Center on Teaching Careers established pursuant to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 44760) of Part 25 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Education Code be appropriated in the annual Budget Act. SEC. 2. Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 44760) is added to Part 25 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Education Code, to read: CHAPTER 3.5. TEACHER RECRUITMENT PROGRAM 44760. (a) The California Center on Teaching Careers is hereby established for the purpose of recruiting qualified and capable individuals into the teaching profession. From funds appropriated for that purpose, the Superintendent shall contract with a local educational agency to establish and administer the center with the concurrence of representatives of the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the University of California, the California State University, and independent institutions of higher education, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 66010. For purposes of this subdivision, "concurrence" means agreement on both of the following: (1) The priorities, goals, and general objectives of the duties set forth in Section 44761. (2) The order in which the duties specified in this chapter are undertaken. (b) It is the intent of the Legislature that activities of the California Center on Teaching Careers be implemented with the active involvement of local educational agencies whenever appropriate. 44761. The duties of the California Center on Teaching Careers include, but are not limited to, all of the following: (a) Developing and distributing statewide public service announcements relating to teacher recruitment. (b) Developing, modifying, and distributing effective recruitment publications. (c) Providing information to prospective teachers regarding requirements for obtaining a teaching credential. (d) Providing specific information to prospective teachers regarding admission to and enrollment into conventional and alternative teacher preparation programs. (e) Providing specific information to prospective teachers regarding financial aid and loan assistance programs. (f) Creating or expanding a referral database for qualified teachers seeking employment in the public schools. (g) Developing and conducting outreach activities to high school pupils as well as to college students. (h) Developing and conducting outreach activities to teachers to fill existing teacher shortage areas. 44762. (a) The California Center on Teaching Careers, in conducting its duties that include, but are not limited to, those duties specified in Section 44761, may coordinate and work collaboratively with the Education Job Opportunities Information Network, existing teacher recruitment centers, school districts, county offices of education, and other teachers clubs and organizations. (b) The California Center on Teaching Careers shall periodically reassess its recruitment activities aimed at individuals from different populations or target audiences for effectiveness and efficiencies in light of the state's teacher workforce, changing market conditions, changes to state and federal law, and any other evolving circumstances. (c) The California Center on Teaching Careers shall periodically review all products and communication tools for accuracy, quality, ease of use, and effectiveness. 44763. The Commission on Teacher Credentialing, in consultation with the Legislative Analyst, shall conduct an evaluation of the program established by this chapter on or before January 1, 2020.