Highlights of the Commission

Public Hearing to Adopt Proposed Amendments to California Code of Regulations Pertaining to the Committee of Credentials (COC)

The recommended amendments include the following: To comply with SB 299 which clarifies the definition of credential to include certificate of clearance and waiver. This law also clarified the circumstances under which the COC would conduct an investigation. This amendment also clarifies the definition of formal review, allows the COC to investigate any superintendent who fails to file reports, and changes the requirements for mailing notices.

After a short discussion the Commission voted to approve staff recommendations.

Public Hearing to Amend or Repeal sections of the Ed Code which pertain to the Preliminary Level I Education Specialist Instruction Credential

The proposed changes to the Ed code will make technical changes to amend or repeal sections that are no longer required because the sections were found to be obsolete.

There were no questions or comments on this item. The Commission voted to approve staff recommendations.

Proposed Title 5 Regulations to Implement Assembly Bill 2210

This item was on the agenda for the October/November 2004 meeting. At that meeting substantial concerns were raised. The Commission staff brought the item back to report on how the questions and concerns were addressed and incorporated in the item.

After the presentation by staff, audience members came with additional questions and concerns which make sure there is availability of BTSA or induction for all new teachers, what the program is called, the form that will be used by administrators and IHEs to determine if a program is not available to a candidate, the content of a fifth year program offered by an IHE and the possibility of a teacher being issued a Certificate of Eligibility at the time they complete a program. Audience members coming to the table asked that stakeholders be given opportunity to give additional input on these issues before the proposed Title 5 regulations are finalized.

Staff was directed to hold a stakeholders meeting to allow additional input from the field. This has been scheduled for early December.

Proposed Title 5 Regulations for the Short-Term Staff Permit and Provisional Internship Permit

As a result of a number of discussions by the Commission and considerable input from stakeholders, the Commission staff brought to the Commission the proposed language for these new permits. Many audience members voiced their support of the two new permits. They also expressed the desire to move this process forward as quickly as possible.

The Commissioners voted to accept staff recommendations on this item.

Update on the Proposed 2005-06 Governors Budget

Staff reported that revenues for the 2004-05 year are running about 7% less that last year. The decrease in revenue is the result of policy decisions such as eliminating emergency permits. The Commission has already modified its business practices and reassigned its workload to reflect the ever increasing workload with less staff resources.

Staff reported that they need the support of the current administration to raise credential fees in order to keep from eliminating more staff positions.

No action was required on this item.

Progress Report on the Early Completion Internship Option and Teaching Foundations Examinations (TFE) in the area of Math, English and Multiple Subjects

Commission staff came with recommendations for passing scores on this exam which is an alternate route to certification. There was a lively discussion around the idea that the standards were being set on a minimal amount of candidates taking the exam, and that a candidate could pass the exam with a score that equated to less than a B average. A suggestion was made that valuable data might be gathered by having a new teacher prepared in a traditional program take the test. Another suggestion was made that the CCTC go back to the author of the bill and report that the exam route is not a feasible route to earn a teaching credential. Ms. Linda Bond reported that the CCTC had co-authored the bill because the other option on the table at the time was even less feasible. The staff recommendation on this item was defeated by a Commissioner vote. Staff was directed to come back with additional information at a future meeting.

Recommended Initial Passing Standards for the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) for Art, Languages Other Than English (French, Spanish), Music and Physical Education

CCTC staff presented a report outlining the standard setting process for the exams listed above, as well as the results of the study. Staff recommended that the Commission adopt the report which sets the passing scores for these exams. The recommendation was accepted by the Commissioners. NES will release candidate scores by December 31, 2004.

Chairs Report

Chair Madkins reported that three members of the Commission were ending their term on the Commission on Teacher Credentialing Kristen Beckner, Alberta Vaca and Os-Maun Rasul. He thanked them for their service to the Commission.

Chair Madkins then welcomed five new members to the Commission. They were appointed by the Governor on November 30, 2004. The new members are:

Catherine Banker, a public representative
Maytte Maria Teresa Bastillos, a teacher
Paul Clopton, a public representative
Guillermo Gomez, a teacher
Aida Molina, an administrator

Executive Directors Report

Dr. Swofford thanked CCAC for the successful conference that was held in October. He acknowledged the successful working relationship between CCAC members and the CCTC staff that contributed to the success of the conference.

The Commission recognized two long-time CCAC friends who are retiring. They were Linda Bond and Dr. Phil Fitch.

The next meeting of the Commission on Teacher Credentialing will be held January 31, 2005 - February 1, 2005 at the CCTC Office in Sacramento.

		Credential Counselors & Analysts of California Highlights of the Commission November 30 - December 1, 2004 Edith Thiessen, Fresno Pacific University
	Public Hearing to Adopt Proposed Amendments to California Code of Regulations Pertaining to the Committee of Credentials (COC) The recommended amendments include the following: To comply with SB 299 which clarifies the definition of credential to include certificate of clearance and waiver. This law also clarified the circumstances under which the COC would conduct an investigation. This amendment also clarifies the definition of formal review, allows the COC to investigate any superintendent who fails to file reports, and changes the requirements for mailing notices. After a short discussion the Commission voted to approve staff recommendations. Public Hearing to Amend or Repeal sections of the Ed Code which pertain to the Preliminary Level I Education Specialist Instruction Credential The proposed changes to the Ed code will make technical changes to amend or repeal sections that are no longer required because the sections were found to be obsolete. There were no questions or comments on this item. The Commission voted to approve staff recommendations. Proposed Title 5 Regulations to Implement Assembly Bill 2210 This item was on the agenda for the October/November 2004 meeting. At that meeting substantial concerns were raised. The Commission staff brought the item back to report on how the questions and concerns were addressed and incorporated in the item. After the presentation by staff, audience members came with additional questions and concerns which make sure there is availability of BTSA or induction for all new teachers, what the program is called, the form that will be used by administrators and IHEs to determine if a program is not available to a candidate, the content of a fifth year program offered by an IHE and the possibility of a teacher being issued a Certificate of Eligibility at the time they complete a program. Audience members coming to the table asked that stakeholders be given opportunity to give additional input on these issues before the proposed Title 5 regulations are finalized. Staff was directed to hold a stakeholders meeting to allow additional input from the field. This has been scheduled for early December. Proposed Title 5 Regulations for the Short-Term Staff Permit and Provisional Internship Permit As a result of a number of discussions by the Commission and considerable input from stakeholders, the Commission staff brought to the Commission the proposed language for these new permits. Many audience members voiced their support of the two new permits. They also expressed the desire to move this process forward as quickly as possible. The Commissioners voted to accept staff recommendations on this item. Update on the Proposed 2005-06 Governors Budget Staff reported that revenues for the 2004-05 year are running about 7% less that last year. The decrease in revenue is the result of policy decisions such as eliminating emergency permits. The Commission has already modified its business practices and reassigned its workload to reflect the ever increasing workload with less staff resources. Staff reported that they need the support of the current administration to raise credential fees in order to keep from eliminating more staff positions. No action was required on this item. Progress Report on the Early Completion Internship Option and Teaching Foundations Examinations (TFE) in the area of Math, English and Multiple Subjects Commission staff came with recommendations for passing scores on this exam which is an alternate route to certification. There was a lively discussion around the idea that the standards were being set on a minimal amount of candidates taking the exam, and that a candidate could pass the exam with a score that equated to less than a B average. A suggestion was made that valuable data might be gathered by having a new teacher prepared in a traditional program take the test. Another suggestion was made that the CCTC go back to the author of the bill and report that the exam route is not a feasible route to earn a teaching credential. Ms. Linda Bond reported that the CCTC had co-authored the bill because the other option on the table at the time was even less feasible. The staff recommendation on this item was defeated by a Commissioner vote. Staff was directed to come back with additional information at a future meeting. Recommended Initial Passing Standards for the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) for Art, Languages Other Than English (French, Spanish), Music and Physical Education CCTC staff presented a report outlining the standard setting process for the exams listed above, as well as the results of the study. Staff recommended that the Commission adopt the report which sets the passing scores for these exams. The recommendation was accepted by the Commissioners. NES will release candidate scores by December 31, 2004. Chairs Report Chair Madkins reported that three members of the Commission were ending their term on the Commission on Teacher Credentialing Kristen Beckner, Alberta Vaca and Os-Maun Rasul. He thanked them for their service to the Commission. Chair Madkins then welcomed five new members to the Commission. They were appointed by the Governor on November 30, 2004. The new members are: Catherine Banker, a public representative Maytte Maria Teresa Bastillos, a teacher Paul Clopton, a public representative Guillermo Gomez, a teacher Aida Molina, an administrator Executive Directors Report Dr. Swofford thanked CCAC for the successful conference that was held in October. He acknowledged the successful working relationship between CCAC members and the CCTC staff that contributed to the success of the conference. The Commission recognized two long-time CCAC friends who are retiring. They were Linda Bond and Dr. Phil Fitch. The next meeting of the Commission on Teacher Credentialing will be held January 31, 2005 - February 1, 2005 at the CCTC Office in Sacramento.