AB1853:v97#DOCUMENTBill Start
Amended
IN
Assembly
April 18, 2022
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Amended
IN
Assembly
March 17, 2022
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|
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE—
2021–2022 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 1853
Introduced by Assembly Member Berman
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February 08, 2022 |
An act to add Section 44259.4 44259.8 to the Education Code, relating to teacher credentialing.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 1853, as amended, Berman.
Teacher credentialing: the Computer Science Preservice Teacher Grant Program.
Existing law establishes a system of elementary and secondary education in this state, under which local educational agencies provide instruction to pupils in kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive, at schoolsites throughout the state. Existing law requires the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to establish standards for the issuance and renewal of credentials, certificates, and permits.
This bill would require the commission to develop and implement a grant program to award competitive grants to institutions of higher education that offer commission-approved teacher preparation programs to develop and expand K–12 computer science and computational thinking coursework for individuals seeking a single or multiple subject credential with supplementary authorization in computer science or a single or multiple subject credential.
credential, as provided.
Digest Key
Vote:
MAJORITY
Appropriation:
NO
Fiscal Committee:
YES
Local Program:
NO
Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.Section 44259.4 is added to the Education Code, to read:44259.4.SECTION 1.
Section 44259.8 is added to the Education Code, to read:44259.8.
(a) The commission shall develop and implement the Computer Science Preservice Teacher Grant Program, which is hereby established, to award competitive grants to institutions of higher education that offer commission-approved teacher preparation programs to develop or expand K–12 computer science and computational thinking coursework for individuals seeking any of the following:(1) A single subject credential with supplementary authorization in computer science.
(2) A single subject credential that authorizes the teaching of computer science.
(2)
(3) A multiple subject credential with supplementary authorization in computer science.
(3)
(4) A single subject credential.
credential for individuals who may be interested in teaching computer science.
(4)
(5) A multiple subject credential. credential for individuals who may be interested in teaching computer science within the scope of their credential.
(b) The purpose of the grant program is to accomplish both of the following:
(1) Provide incentives for commission-approved teacher preparation programs to update curricula and develop preservice programs to teach computer science in K–12 public schools.
(2) Enhance equity and increase access to computer science coursework for preservice teachers from underrepresented groups.
(c) An institution of higher education shall use grant funds for any of the following purposes:
(1) To create or expand programs designed to meet the requirements needed to obtain a supplementary authorization in computer science for preservice teachers concurrently taking coursework to obtain a single subject or multiple subject teaching credential from
commission-approved teacher preparation programs.
(2) To integrate or update computer science curricula and pedagogy into commission-approved teacher preparation programs. programs that serve candidates for the credentials identified in subdivision (a).
(3) To update the institution’s existing technology credit requirements for the purpose of fulfilling the requirements pursuant to clause (iii) of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 44259, to include computer science coursework.
(4) To introduce preservice teachers to computer science coursework and pedagogy, including foundational computer science concepts, computational thinking, and the impacts of technology and computing in society.
(d) Applications for funding pursuant to this section shall be aligned to the purposes of the program as established in this section, and shall include, at a minimum, both of the following:
(1) A plan for the use of the funds that includes the number of individuals who are expected to benefit from the funds, the number of supplementary authorizations in computer science expected to be earned, and the number of individuals that are expected to enroll in courses that include computer science or
computational thinking coursework.
(2) Demonstration of the institution’s commitment to expanding enrollment in, and access to, teacher preparation programs, including enrollment in preparation programs leading to either the authorization or ability to teach computer science, or both.
(d)
(e) In awarding grants pursuant to the program, the commission shall give priority to proposals that create do
both of the following:
(1) Create or expand programs
designed to meet the requirements needed to obtain a supplementary authorization in computer science for preservice teachers concurrently taking coursework to obtain a single subject or multiple subject teaching credential from commission-approved teacher preparation programs.
(2) Include a plan to increase access to computer science coursework for preservice teachers from underrepresented groups.
(e)
(f) As a condition of the receipt of a
grant, an institution of higher education shall provide to the commission program and outcome data and information for at least three years after receiving the grant. The data and information shall include program all of the following:
(1) Program design and features, the features.
(2) The number of graduates, the graduates.
(3) The number and types of credentials earned, the earned.
(4) The number of supplementary authorizations earned in computer science.
(5) The number of individuals enrolled in courses that included computer science or computational thinking as a result of the grant.
(6) The demographics of participating individuals.
(7) The length of
time taken to earn a degree and credential, and any credential.
(8) Any other information the commission may require for purposes of documenting the effect of the grant and identifying effective practices in program design and implementation.
(g) Until funds are fully expended, the commission shall annually report to the appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature
on all of the following:
(1) The number of grants awarded.
(2) The number of graduates and the number and types of credentials and supplementary authorizations earned.
(3) The length of time taken to earn a degree and credential or an authorization.
(4) The number of individuals enrolled in computer science or computational thinking coursework as a result of the grant.
(5) The demographics of individuals participating in the program.
(h) No more than 5 percent of a grant awarded under this section shall be used for indirect institutional costs.
(f)
(i) As used in this section, “K–12” means kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive.