SACRAMENTO, CA –The California State Assembly overwhelmingly approved AB 2517, authored by Assembly Higher Education Chairman Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge).  This legislation greatly increases the availability of teacher education programs throughout the state.  If approved by the Legislature and signed by the Governor, AB 2517 will allow school districts, county offices of education, and community-based organizations to develop and offer teacher education programs upon approval by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

“Over the next decade, the state is expected to lose more than 100,000 teachers to retirement.  That’s approximately one-third of our teacher workforce,” said Portantino.  “Many people want to become teachers, but can’t afford to attend a UC, CSU, or private university to complete a credential program.  In these uncertain economic times, many Californians cannot afford to forfeit their income while completing credential requirements as a full-time student.  We need to pass AB 2517 to ensure that programs are in place to fill the void of capable, quality teachers who will educate the next generation of students.”

Currently, only traditional institutions of higher education are able to provide teacher education programs with few exceptions.  As a result, many areas of the state are unable to meet the growing need for teachers because prospective teacher education students cannot afford or cannot access those institutions.  According to an analysis of AB 2517, there are only 92 teacher preparation programs statewide, with many underserved areas experiencing growing student enrollment.  With an already significant budget deficit, it is unlikely that many more teacher credentialing programs will be created without the help of alternate institutions.

In March, the Governor’s Commission on Education Excellence released a highly anticipated report on K-12 education reform which endorsed the proposal contained in AB 2517, stating that California “should expand alternative teacher and administrator training programs to develop high-quality candidates.” 

“I am proud to author this bi-partisan legislation where we make educating all our children of primary importance.  The Governor is right to believe that increasing teacher training opportunities that address our teaching workforce needs will go a long way towards helping educate our children.  I am very pleased to be carrying this legislation on his behalf.” Portantino continued, “Amidst our current budget crisis, we know that other states are actively recruiting our teachers.  We simply cannot afford to let this teacher shortage get any worse or the future of our education system will be jeopardized.”