Highlights of the Commission

Introduction of new Commissioners

Chair Madkins began the meeting by introducing three new Commissioners who were recently appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. They were:

Leslie Peterson Schwarz
Jon Stordahl
Gloria Grant

You can read information about them, as well as other members of the Commission at http://www.ctc.ca.gov/commission/commissioners.html.

Election of a new Commission Chair and Vice-Chair

An election was held to elect a new Chair and Vice Chair of the Commission. Ms. Leslie Peterson Schwarze was elected as the new Chair and Jon M. Stordahl was elected as the Vice-Chair. They will serve in these positions until December 2005.

Consent Calendar

For the past number of years the Consent Calendar has included items such as approval of university, college, county offices of education and district programs. Because of the large number of new Commissioners they expressed a desire to look at these programs in more depth, and have time to come up to speed on the process, rather than just giving them a blanket approval. A motion was made and approved to move these program approvals, as well as some other items, from the consent calendar and address them in the appropriate Committee session. This new format will begin at the next Commission meeting. Because of this change the request for the approval of programs at CSU Long Beach and the Santa Barbara County Office of Education will be heard at the April meeting.

Fiscal Policy and Planning

Staff gave an update of the State budget process and how it impacts the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Staff led a discussion of the current examination fees and the potential of raising the fees to the next exam year. The fees for the next exam year will need to be set at the April meeting.

Legislation

AB 309 – Walters – The Commission approved a position of “Watch”
AB 420 – Horton – The Commission approved a position of “Watch”
AB 430 – Nava – The Commission approved a position of "Support"

Commission Exam Program Planning

Commission gave an overview of the current exams taken by credential candidates in California. There is a requirement that all exams offered must periodically be put through a validation study. The big question is, will there be dollars available in the Commission budget to support these validation studies. The only exam which has dollars built into the cost is RICA. All other exams require additional dollars to do the studies.

Recommended Knowledge, Skills and Abilities for the California Teacher of English Learners (CTEL) Examination

This item generated a great deal of discussion. No action was taken and the item will be addressed again on the April agenda.

Proposed Plan for Reviewing Bilingual Certification

This item was delayed to the April agenda.

Update on Education Specialist Credentials and the Reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

This item was delayed to the April agenda.

The complete agenda and text of each item can be found at http://www.ctc.ca.gov/commission/agendas/2005-03/2005-03-agenda.html.

The next Commission is scheduled for April 14, 2005 at the Commission Office in Sacramento.

		Credential Counselors & Analysts of California Highlights of the Commission March 10, 2005 Edith Thiessen, Fresno Pacific University
	Introduction of new Commissioners Chair Madkins began the meeting by introducing three new Commissioners who were recently appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. They were: Leslie Peterson Schwarz Jon Stordahl Gloria Grant You can read information about them, as well as other members of the Commission at http://www.ctc.ca.gov/commission/commissioners.html. Election of a new Commission Chair and Vice-Chair An election was held to elect a new Chair and Vice Chair of the Commission. Ms. Leslie Peterson Schwarze was elected as the new Chair and Jon M. Stordahl was elected as the Vice-Chair. They will serve in these positions until December 2005. Consent Calendar For the past number of years the Consent Calendar has included items such as approval of university, college, county offices of education and district programs. Because of the large number of new Commissioners they expressed a desire to look at these programs in more depth, and have time to come up to speed on the process, rather than just giving them a blanket approval. A motion was made and approved to move these program approvals, as well as some other items, from the consent calendar and address them in the appropriate Committee session. This new format will begin at the next Commission meeting. Because of this change the request for the approval of programs at CSU Long Beach and the Santa Barbara County Office of Education will be heard at the April meeting. Fiscal Policy and Planning Staff gave an update of the State budget process and how it impacts the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Staff led a discussion of the current examination fees and the potential of raising the fees to the next exam year. The fees for the next exam year will need to be set at the April meeting. Legislation AB 309 – Walters – The Commission approved a position of “Watch” AB 420 – Horton – The Commission approved a position of “Watch” AB 430 – Nava – The Commission approved a position of "Support" Commission Exam Program Planning Commission gave an overview of the current exams taken by credential candidates in California. There is a requirement that all exams offered must periodically be put through a validation study. The big question is, will there be dollars available in the Commission budget to support these validation studies. The only exam which has dollars built into the cost is RICA. All other exams require additional dollars to do the studies. Recommended Knowledge, Skills and Abilities for the California Teacher of English Learners (CTEL) Examination This item generated a great deal of discussion. No action was taken and the item will be addressed again on the April agenda. Proposed Plan for Reviewing Bilingual Certification This item was delayed to the April agenda. Update on Education Specialist Credentials and the Reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) This item was delayed to the April agenda. The complete agenda and text of each item can be found at http://www.ctc.ca.gov/commission/agendas/2005-03/2005-03-agenda.html. The next Commission is scheduled for April 14, 2005 at the Commission Office in Sacramento.