Bill Text: CA SB614 | 2019-2020 | Regular Session | Amended

California Senate Bill 614 (Prior Session Legislation)

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

Bill Title: Teacher credentialing: reading instruction.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2020-08-20 - August 20 hearing: Held in committee and under submission. [SB614 Detail]

Download: California-2019-SB614-Amended.html

Amended IN Assembly July 01, 2019

Amended IN Assembly June 18, 2019

Amended IN Senate May 17, 2019

Amended IN Senate April 11, 2019

Amended IN Senate April 01, 2019

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2019–2020 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill

No. 614

Introduced by Senator Rubio

February 22, 2019

An act to amend Sections 44252.6, 44259, 44283, and 44468 of, and to repeal Sections 44268.5 and 44283.2 of, the Education Code, relating to teacher credentialing.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SB 614, as amended, Rubio. Teacher credentialing: reading instruction.

Existing law requires the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to, among other duties, establish standards for the issuance and renewal of credentials, certificates, and permits. Existing law requires the commission to develop, adopt, and administer a reading instruction competence assessment consisting of one or more instruments to measure an individual’s knowledge, skill, and ability relative to effective reading instruction, as provided. Existing law requires the requirements for the issuance of the preliminary multiple subject teaching credential to include successful passage of one of specified components of the reading instruction competence assessment.

This bill would repeal those requirements, and other requirements relating to the reading instruction competence assessment, and would provide that the reading instruction competence assessment is not required for the issuance of a teaching ~~credential.~~ credential, as specified.

This bill would require the commission, by July 1, 2020, to ensure that all approved preparation programs instruct and reliably assess candidates to ensure individual competence to deliver comprehensive and research-based reading instruction and to adopt, modify, and administer a reading instruction assessment aligned with the state’s current adopted curriculum framework for specified teacher candidates. The bill would require, beginning July 1, 2020, the requirements for the issuance of the preliminary multiple subject, single subject, or education specialist teaching credential to include either the approved preparation program requirements or the specified reading instruction assessment.
This bill would revise certain provisions relating to internship programs where interns can choose an early program completion option, as provided.

Existing law includes as a minimum requirement for the preliminary multiple or single subject teaching credential the study of alternative methods of developing English language skills, including the study of reading, among all pupils, including those for whom English is a second language, in accordance with the commission’s standards of program quality and effectiveness. Existing law provides that the study of reading includes the satisfactory completion of comprehensive reading instruction that is research based and that includes certain components.

This bill would revise those provisions to require that the study of alternative methods of developing English language skills to also be in accordance with current expectations and requirements for credential candidates. The bill would repeal the provisions requiring the study of reading to include certain components.

Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Section 44252.6 of the Education Code is amended to read:

44252.6.

(a) The commission, no later than July 1, 2007, shall ensure that the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET): Multiple Subjects be modified to add an assessment of basic writing skills at least as comprehensively and to the level of rigor that basic writing skills are assessed by the state basic skills proficiency test.

(b) Any individual who passes the CSET: Multiple Subjects, after it has been adjusted pursuant to subdivision (a), with the necessary score determined by the commission, shall be considered proficient in the skills of reading, writing, and mathematics, and shall not be required to pass the state basic skills proficiency requirements of Sections 44227, 44252, and 44830.

(c) The commission shall ensure that the consolidation and modification of assessments pursuant to this section does not result in an increase in the total fees paid by teacher credential candidates.

SEC. 2.

Section 44259 of the Education Code is amended to read:

44259.

(a) Except as provided in subparagraphs (A) and (C) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b), a program of professional preparation for multiple or single subject teaching credentials shall not include more than two years of full-time study of professional preparation.

(b) The minimum requirements for the preliminary multiple or single subject teaching credential are all of the following:

(1) A baccalaureate degree or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution of postsecondary education. Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 44225 and subdivision (c) of Section 44227, the baccalaureate degree shall not be in professional education. The commission shall encourage accredited institutions to offer undergraduate minors in education and special education to students who intend to become single subject credentialed teachers.

(2) Passage of the state basic skills proficiency test that is developed and administered by the commission pursuant to Section 44252.5.

(3) Satisfactory completion of a program of professional preparation that has been accredited by the Committee on Accreditation on the basis of standards of program quality and effectiveness that have been adopted by the commission. In accordance with the commission’s assessment and performance standards, a program shall include a teaching performance assessment as set forth in Section 44320.2 that is aligned with the California Standards for the Teaching Profession. The commission shall ensure that a candidate recommended for a credential or certificate has demonstrated satisfactory ability to assist pupils to meet or exceed academic content and performance standards for pupils adopted by the state board pursuant to Section 60605. Programs that meet this requirement for professional preparation shall include any of the following:

(A) Integrated programs of subject matter preparation and professional preparation pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 44259.1.

(B) Postbaccalaureate programs of professional preparation, pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 44259.1.

(C) Internship programs of professional preparation, pursuant to Section 44321, Article 7.5 (commencing with Section 44325), Article 11 (commencing with Section 44380), and Article 3 (commencing with Section 44450) of Chapter 3.

(D) Degree programs offered pursuant to Article 5 (commencing with Section 78060) of Chapter 1 of Part 48 of Division 7 of Title 3.

(4) Study of alternative methods of developing English language skills, including the study of reading, among all pupils, including pupils for whom English is a second language, in accordance with the commission’s standards of program quality and effectiveness, and current expectations and requirements for credential candidates.

(5) Completion of a subject matter program that has been approved by the commission on the basis of standards of program quality and effectiveness pursuant to Article 6 (commencing with Section 44310) or passage of a subject matter examination pursuant to Article 5 (commencing with Section ~~44280).~~ 44280), or a combination of the two as approved by the commission. The commission shall ensure that subject matter standards and examinations are aligned with the academic content and performance standards for pupils adopted by the state board pursuant to Section 60605.

(6) Demonstration of a knowledge of the principles and provisions of the Constitution of the United States pursuant to Section 44335.

(7) Demonstration, in accordance with the commission’s standards of program quality and effectiveness, of basic competency in the use of computers in the classroom as determined by one of the following:

(A) Successful completion of a commission-approved program or course.

(B) Successful passage of an assessment that is developed, approved, and administered by the commission.

(c) The minimum requirements for the clear multiple or single subject teaching credential shall include all of the following requirements:

(1) Possession of a valid preliminary teaching credential, as prescribed in subdivision (b), possession of a valid equivalent credential or certificate, or completion of equivalent requirements as determined by the commission.

(2) Except as provided in paragraph (3), completion of a program of beginning teacher induction, including one of the following:

(A) A program of beginning teacher support and assessment approved by the commission and the Superintendent pursuant to Section 44279.1.

(B) An alternative program of beginning teacher induction that is provided by one or more local educational agencies and has been approved by the commission and the Superintendent on the basis of initial review and periodic evaluations of the program in relation to appropriate standards of credential program quality and effectiveness that have been adopted by the commission, the Superintendent, and the state board pursuant to this subdivision. The standards for alternative programs shall encourage innovation and experimentation in the continuous preparation and induction of beginning teachers. An alternative program of beginning teacher induction that has met state standards pursuant to this subdivision may apply for state funding pursuant to Sections 44279.1 and 44279.2.

(C) An alternative program of beginning teacher induction that is sponsored by a regionally accredited college or university, in cooperation with one or more local school districts, that addresses the individual professional needs of beginning teachers and meets the commission’s standards of induction. The commission shall ensure that preparation and induction programs that qualify candidates for professional credentials extend and refine a beginning teacher’s professional skills in relation to the California Standards for the Teaching Profession and the academic content and performance standards for pupils adopted by the state board pursuant to Section 60605.

(3) (A) If a candidate satisfies the requirements of subdivision (b), including completion of an accredited internship program of professional preparation, and if that internship program fulfills induction standards and is approved as set forth in this subdivision, the commission shall determine that the candidate has fulfilled the requirements of paragraph (2).

(B) If an approved induction program is verified as unavailable to a beginning teacher, or if the beginning teacher is required under the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (20 U.S.C. Sec. 6301 et seq.) to complete subject matter coursework to be qualified for a teaching assignment, the commission shall accept completion of an approved clear credential program after completion of a baccalaureate degree at a regionally accredited institution as fulfilling the requirements of paragraph (2). The commission shall adopt regulations to implement this subparagraph.

(4) Experience that includes the application of knowledge and skills previously acquired in a preliminary credential program, in accordance with commission standards, that addresses the following:

(A) Health education, including study of nutrition, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the physiological and sociological effects of abuse of alcohol, narcotics, and drugs and the use of tobacco. Training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation shall also meet the standards established by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.

(B) Field experience in methods of delivering appropriate educational services to pupils with exceptional needs in regular education programs.

(d) The commission shall develop and implement standards of program quality and effectiveness that provide for the areas of application listed in subparagraphs (A) to (C), inclusive, of paragraph (4) of subdivision (c), starting in professional preparation and continuing through induction.

(e) A credential that was issued before January 1, 1993, shall remain in force as long as it is valid under the laws and regulations that were in effect on the date it was issued. The commission shall not, by regulation, invalidate an otherwise valid credential, unless it issues to the holder of the credential, in substitution, a new credential authorized by another provision in this chapter that is no more restrictive than the credential for which it was substituted with respect to the kind of service authorized and the grades, classes, or types of schools in which it authorizes service.

(f) A credential program that is approved by the commission shall not deny an individual access to that program solely on the grounds that the individual obtained a teaching credential through completion of an internship program when that internship program has been accredited by the commission.

(g) Notwithstanding this section, persons who were performing teaching services as of January 1, 1999, pursuant to the language of this section that was in effect before that date, may continue to perform those services without complying with any requirements that may be added by the amendments adding this subdivision.

(h) Paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) does not apply to any person who, as of January 1, 1997, holds a multiple or single subject teaching credential, or to any person enrolled in a program of professional preparation for a multiple or single subject teaching credential as of January 1, 1997, who subsequently completes that program. It is the intent of the Legislature that the requirements of paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) apply only to persons who enter a program of professional preparation on or after January 1, 1997.

SEC. 3.

Section 44268.5 of the Education Code is repealed.

SEC. 4.

Section 44283 of the Education Code is amended to read:

44283.

(a) The Legislature hereby recognizes that teacher competence in reading instruction and literacy is essential to the progress and achievement of pupils learning to read in elementary and secondary schools. It is the intent of the Legislature that the commission ensure that all applicants for multiple subject, single subject, and specialist instruction teaching credentials are prepared to teach reading and literacy within the scope of their certification.

(b) By July 1, 2020, the commission shall do both of the following:
(1) Ensure, through the accreditation process, that all approved preparation programs instruct and reliably assess candidates to ensure individual competence to deliver comprehensive and research-based reading instruction.
(2) Adopt, modify, as necessary, and administer a reading instruction assessment aligned with the state’s current adopted curriculum framework for teacher candidates who have not been instructed and assessed to ensure their competence to deliver comprehensive and research-based reading instruction, as described in paragraph (1).
(c) Beginning July 1, 2020, the requirements for the issuance of the preliminary multiple subject, single subject, or education specialist teaching credential shall include either paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (b).
~~(b)~~

(d) Notwithstanding any other law, the passage of the reading instruction competence assessment developed by the commission pursuant to this section, as it read on January 1, 2019, shall not be required for the issuance of a teaching credential.

SEC. 5.

Section 44283.2 of the Education Code is repealed.

SEC. 6.

Section 44468 of the Education Code is amended to read:

44468.

(a) An internship program, established pursuant to Article 7.5 (commencing with Section 44325) of Chapter 2 or this article, that is accredited by the commission shall provide interns who meet entrance criteria and are accepted to a multiple subject teaching credential program, a single subject teaching credential program, or ~~a level 1~~ an education specialist credential program that provides instruction to individuals with mild to moderate disabilities, the opportunity to choose an early program completion option, culminating in a five-year preliminary teaching credential. The early program completion option shall be made available to interns who meet the following requirements:

(1) Pass a written assessment that assesses knowledge of teaching foundations, is adopted for this purpose by the commission, and includes all of the following:

(A) Human development as it relates to teaching and learning aligned with the state content and performance standards for pupils adopted pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 60605.

(B) Techniques to address learning differences including working with pupils with special needs.

(D) Reading ~~instruction as set forth in paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) of Section 44259.~~ instruction.

(E) The assessment of pupil progress based upon the state content and performance standards for pupils adopted pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 60605 and planning intervention based on the assessment.

(F) Classroom management techniques.

(G) Methods of teaching the subject fields.

(2) (A) Pass the teaching performance assessment as set forth in Section 44320.2.

~~(A)~~

(B) An intern participating in the early completion option may take the teaching performance assessment only one time as part of the early completion option. An intern who takes the teaching performance assessment but is not successful may complete the internship program. Scores on this assessment shall be used by the internship program in providing the individualized professional development plan for interns that emphasizes preparation in areas where additional growth is warranted and waiving preparation in areas where the candidate has demonstrated competence. The intern must retake and pass the teaching performance assessment at the end of the internship in order to be considered for recommendation by the internship program to the commission.

(B)Pending implementation of the teaching performance assessment, an internship program shall provide for early recommendation of an intern for a preliminary multiple subject teaching credential, single subject teaching credential, or level 1 education specialist credential that authorizes instruction to individuals with mild to moderate disabilities, based upon demonstrated competence of the field experience component of the internship program.
(C) If the written assessment adopted by the commission pursuant to paragraph (1) is not consistent with commission standards for reading instruction and assessment, an intern participating in the early completion option shall pass a test adopted by the commission for this purpose.

(3) Meet the requirements for teacher fitness as set forth in Sections 44339, 44340, and 44341.

(b) An intern who chooses the early completion option must first pass the assessment required pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) in order to qualify to take the teaching performance assessment required pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a). Individuals who have passed the written assessment may receive individualized support within the cohort group of like individuals in preparation for the teaching performance assessment.

(c)An intern who challenges the teacher preparation coursework by taking the assessment described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), but is not successful in passing the assessment, may complete the full internship program. Scores on this assessment shall be used by the internship program in providing the individualized professional development plan for interns that emphasizes preparation in areas where additional growth is warranted and waiving preparation areas where the intern has demonstrated competence.
~~(d)~~

(c) An intern who passes the assessments described in subdivision (a) and is recommended by the internship program to the commission is eligible for a five-year preliminary multiple subject teaching credential, single subject teaching credential, or ~~level 1~~ education specialist credential that authorizes instruction to individuals with mild to moderate disabilities.

~~(e)~~

(d) The commission shall issue a ~~professional~~ clear multiple or single subject teaching credential to an applicant whose employing public school district documents, in a manner prescribed by the commission, that the applicant has fulfilled the following requirements:

(1) Holds a preliminary five-year teaching credential issued by the commission.

(2) Completes ~~one of the following in accordance with the determination of the employing public school district based upon the experience and individual needs of the applicant:~~ a commission-approved teacher induction program.

(A)A program of beginning teacher support and assessment established pursuant to Article 4.5 (commencing with Section 44279.1) of Chapter 2, including the California formative assessment and support system for teachers.
(B)An alternative program of beginning teacher induction that the commission determines, in conjunction with the Superintendent, meets state standards for teacher induction and includes the California formative assessment and support system for teachers or an alternative assessment deemed to meet the standards.
(3)As an alternative to the requirements in paragraph (2), an applicant may choose to complete the California formative assessment and support system for teachers or the equivalent at a faster pace as determined by the program of beginning teacher support and assessment established pursuant to Article 4.5 (commencing with Section 44279.1) of Chapter 2.