SB 915

Bill Subjects

Abstract

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 Commission on Teacher Credentialing would be required to provide a multiyear grant to a local educational agency through a competitive grant process 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, the Chancellor's Office of the California Community Colleges, and independent institutions of higher education, as defined. The bill would require that the activities of the California Center on Teaching Careers be implemented with the active involvement of local educational agencies that elect to participate, whenever appropriate. 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 require the California Center on Teaching Careers, in conducting those duties, to focus on chronic teacher shortage areas, including special education and bilingual teachers, and 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, on or before January 1, 2020, to conduct an evaluation and report to the Department of Finance, relevant policy and fiscal committees of the Legislature, and the Legislative Analyst's Office on the outcomes of the California Center on Teaching Careers.