Teacher credentialing: subject matter competence.

Existing law establishes the Commission on Teacher Credentialing and requires the commission, among other duties, to establish standards for the issuance and renewal of credentials, certificates, and permits. Existing law specifies the minimum requirements for the preliminary multiple or single subject teaching credential, including a subject matter competence requirement demonstrated by either completion of a subject matter program that has been approved by the commission or passage of a subject matter examination. This bill would authorize a candidate for the preliminary multiple or single subject teaching credential to demonstrate subject matter competence by completing higher education coursework in the subject matters related to the content area of the credential, as provided. The bill would require the commission to adopt regulations for this purpose and would prohibit a program of professional preparation from verifying a candidate's subject matter competence in this manner until those regulations are adopted. The bill would additionally authorize a candidate to demonstrate subject matter competence through a combination of a subject matter program, a subject matter examination, and higher education coursework in the subject matters related to the content area of the credential. The bill would repeal these provisions on January 1, 2024.