Teacher preparation programs: school districts and county offices of education: English learners.

Assembly Member Muratsuchi's proposal to expand teacher preparation pathways would allow school districts and county offices of education to offer specialized English learner and bilingual education certification programs, subject to approval from the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).

The legislation authorizes the CTC to approve programs administered by local education agencies that lead to cross-cultural language and academic development certificates, English learner authorizations, and bilingual authorization certificates. These programs, including California Teacher of English Learners curricula, must meet the same standards the commission applies to preparation programs at regionally accredited higher education institutions. Currently, only colleges and universities can offer such credentialing programs.

Under the measure, the CTC would evaluate district and county-run programs using existing criteria for institutional program approval, maintaining consistent requirements across all preparation pathways. While expanding program provider options, the proposal preserves established quality standards for preparing teachers to serve English learner students.