Teacher credentialing commission talks reading instruction, legislation and early learning

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing met Aug. 5–6 to discuss key items related to new Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) subtests, legislation and early learning. Noting the absence of CTC Chair Tine Sloane as a result of fire evacuation orders, the commission Executive Director […]

CTC meeting highlights need for more teacher diversity, makes changes to proctoring and structure of assessments

CSBA President-elect Dr. Susan Heredia joins the commission as the board member representative In a packed three-day meeting taking place April 14–16, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing held a rich discussion about the diversity of teachers in the state, approved a portion of the […]

Teaching credential, preparation program enrollment numbers continue climbing

Continuing a multi-year pattern, California saw a 3.1 percent increase in teaching credentials issued in fiscal year 2018–19, however, the state also witnessed a slight decrease in the number of fully credentialed teachers serving in its public schools. And for a state still grappling with […]

Experts share insights on boosting California’s number of teachers of color

Emphasizing the benefits they say all students and teachers could gain from the state having more teachers of color, experts shared their strategies and insights on moving forward at a recent event hosted by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. The April 24 forum […]

California’s teaching force continues to grow but can’t keep pace with demand

State also sees slight drop in percentage of fully credentialed educators California’s slow but steady stretch of issuing more teacher credentials continued in fiscal year 2017–18, according to a new Commission on Teacher Credentialing report. Prospects may also appear slightly brighter for districts struggling to […]

Recruiting, Supporting, Retaining: African-American Teachers and the Teacher Shortage

California faces an acute shortage of teachers statewide. The demand for teachers is even greater in school districts with a large number of low-income students and diverse populations. As part of CSBA’s blog series exploring African-American student achievement in honor of African-American History Month, this […]

Finding meaning in California’s constitutional guarantee of education

by Keith Bray All children can succeed, but not all children have equal opportunity to do so. A child’s background and social station continue to play an inordinate role in his or her scholastic outcomes, both in California and across the nation. Schools, given the […]

Involving Students in LCAP Process is a Lesson in Civic Engagement

by Paul Richman California Gov.  Jerry Brown’s May Budget Revise reflected a strong commitment to the improvement of public education through the Local Control Funding Formula. As school districts seek to involve local communities – parents, students, teachers, administrators and school boards – in shaping […]

Minding the DROPS: Water conservation projects teach awareness at schools

by Renee Cashmere As a first and second grader in the Bay Area in 1976-77, an epic drought made impressions upon me that have lasted a lifetime. Even before the more recent drought began, I remembered the conservation rules all Californian’s were required to follow back then. […]

CTC again considers special credential for ROTC teachers

The Special Teaching Authorization in Physical Education for members of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps would serve as recognition that the credential holder has met the subject matter requirement and represent another option for school boards considering whether to grant high school graduation credit for ROTC or Basic Military Drill.