Public Hearing to adopt the proposed regulations to Sections 80021 and 80021.1 of the Title 5 Regulations. 

These new regulations create two new permits that will replace the current long-term emergency permit for multiple subject, single subject and Education Specialists.  The new permits are a short-term staff permit which would be used when a district needs to staff a classroom immediately, and a provisional internship permit which will be used when the district know that there will be an opening and they are unable to hire a fully credentialed teacher.

Many members of the audience spoke of their efforts to staff their classrooms with fully credentialed teachers, but in many cases were unable to find a suitable candidate.  These audience members urged the Commissioners to adopt this proposal.  The proposal was adopted without opposition.  This item will now move through the rulemaking process.

The full text of this item can be found at http://www.ctc.ca.gov/commission/agendas/2005-01/2005-01-4A.pdf.

Recommended Initial Passing Standards for the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) in Languages Other Than English in German, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Punjabi, Russian, and Vietnamese

The Commissioners had a number of questions and concerns relative to this item.  The first concern that was expressed related to the low number of test takers for these particular languages.  They specifically asked if the Commission would be able to continue to offer the tests in the low incidence languages.  The Commissioners were concerned that the low level of income for these tests could become an issue.  Commission staff stated that it may be necessary to look at nationally offered tests in these low incidence test areas to replace specific tests.

The recommended scores were adopted by the Commission.  Candidates will now be notified.

Recommended Subject Matter Requirements for Single Subject Teaching Credentials in Agriculture; Business; Health Science; Home Economics; Industrial and Technology Education; and a Language Other Than English:  American Sign Language

Because approved K-12 standards do not exist for all areas listed above, the Commissioners asked if it was possible to delay approval of the specific subject matter requirements (SMR) until the standards were approved.  Commission staff stated that there was an urgency to approve these SMRs because the current contact for these subject matter areas was expiring.  The law requires that subject matter exams for all areas must be available to candidates wanting to earn a credential in a specific area.  CCTC staff suggested that an alignment study could be conducted after the K-12 standards are approved to ensure that no holes exist in the SMRs.

Commissioners approved the recommended SMR with staff direction that the alignment study be conducted after the K-12 standards are approved.

Proposed Plan for Reviewing Bilingual Certification

At the October 1, 2004 Commission meeting CCTC staff presented an information item addressing policy questions relating to bilingual certification.  At the direction of the Commission the CCTC prepared a discussion item that addressed policy questions and a proposed action for addressing these policy questions related to bilingual certification for California teachers.

The following is the plan that was presented to address the policy questions developed by the Commission.  (These policy questions can be found at http://www.ctc.ca.gov/commission/agendas/2005-01/2005-01-7C.pdf.) 

1. Survey – Staff will design a survey instrument that will be posted on the Commission website as well as being mailed to representatives of various stakeholder groups.  It is possible that different surveys will be designed for different groups.
2. Stakeholder meetings – one-to four open stakeholder meetings will be held at the Commission offices in Sacramento.
3. Volunteer Workgroup – Commission staff will invite stakeholder groups to select representatives to participate in the volunteer workgroup.

As with the emergency permit issue, many audience members spoke regarding this item.  Many of the speakers expressed the concern about the “volunteer workgroup.”  Speakers that this type of format for such an important item might lead to results that are unsatisfactory.  Audience members also encouraged the Commission to consider coursework as an alternate to the exam for California teacher who already hold a credential.

This item was postponed until the next Commission meeting.  The CCTC staff was directed to come back with a timeline and cost to implement a more formal workgroup and suggestions for a more rigorous method to recruit workgroup members.

Discussion of Fifth Year Options

At the December 2004 Commission meeting CCTC staff was directed to meet with stakeholders and discuss the fifth year of study program option allowed by AB 2210.  This item was for information only.

CCTC Staff reported that 32 individuals had attended the December 2004 meeting.  A good deal of the discussion focused on the comparability of the Fifth Year of Study experience with the induction experience.  Some stakeholders expressed concern that the fifth year program does not contain the rigor of the induction program.  Concern was also expressed that if funding did not continue for induction that the default program would be for teachers to complete the fifth year option.  Stakeholders felt that the requirements of the fifth year program would need to be ramped up to be more equivalent to induction programs.  Other stakeholders expressed concern that if the requirements for the fifth year program were increased it would create an undo hardship on candidates completing subject matter competence.  The concern was also expressed that if the fifth year programs were to be equivalent to induction, if would no longer be an alternative route for candidates.

Another stakeholders meeting was scheduled for February 2, 2005.

Proposed Title 5 Regulations to Implement Assembly Bill 2210

CCTC staff presented proposed language for amendments to the California Code of Regulations Title 5 to begin the rulemaking file and scheduling a public hearing on this issue.  The possible date for this hearing would be at the April 2005 Commission meeting.

Recommended Passing Standards for the Teaching Foundations Examinations in Multiple Subjects, English and Mathematics

At the request of the Commissioners CCTC staff presented additional data for this item.  Even though the Commission adopted the passing scores for these exams, the following concerns were expressed.

1. Commissioners were still concerned at the small number of candidates taking these exams.
2. Commissioners are concerned about the reliability of scoring on the constructed responses.
3. Commissioners questioned whether the cut scores could be readjusted as more data is collected.  They asked if there was any precedence to support this idea.

Several audience members spoke encouraging the Commissioners to adopt these proposed passing scores.  However, audience members expressed concern that the people taking the test were the “cream of the crop” and that the scores adopted might be too rigorous for future test takers.

Update on the Accreditation Review

The main focus of this presentation was to update Commissions on the results of the Accreditation Study Work group meeting that was held just prior to the Commission meeting. 

Staff reported that the work group is focusing on defining a system whose goals are adherence to standards, program quality, program accountability and program improvement.  The following options were developed by the work group for consideration by the Commissioners.

1. A system that increases accountability that calls for examination of programs and institutions across time rather than one time every six years.
2. A system that looks at ongoing measures of a candidate’s competence. This would include measures of the knowledge and ability to teach the K-12 content standards
3. A system that demonstrates data driven decision making in support of program improvement. 
4. A system that will still involve a site visit that is more streamlined, focused visit.
5. Increased communication between the COA and the Commission.

More specific information will be presented at the March Commission meeting.

Update on the Proposed 2005-06 Governor’s Budget

CCTC Staff reported that the proposed budget for the CCTC for 2005-06 calls for a $600,000 reduction in the operating budget.  This includes the elimination of 6 additional positions.  This budget proposal also proposes that all teacher preparation programs submit application electronically.  Also in this proposal it calls for an additional $1,900,000 loan from the Test Development Administration Account. 

At the conclusion of this item, which included a great deal of discussion about fees, electronic process, and the computer conversion, Chair Madkins made the statement that “it is time to go on record to say it is time to raise credential fees since the CCTC is a fee-driven agency.”