SACRAMENTO – Legislation by Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) to help fix California’s teacher shortage was approved by the State Senate with strong bipartisan support.
Senate Bill 811 will make it easier for teachers to move throughout the country and bring more teachers to the state by authorizing California to be a founding member of the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact (ITMC). This measure is especially critical for teachers in military families who are frequently called to relocate on short notice. Click here for a fact sheet on SB 811.
“California is facing a serious teacher shortage,” said Leader Jones. “We need swift and unwavering action to accelerate the teacher credentialing process, while maintaining the integrity of this workforce responsible for shaping our next generation. SB 811 is a critical tool for teachers moving to our state, particularly in military families, and benefits both the teaching profession and California’s students.”
The ITMC allows teachers to use an eligible license held in a compact member state to be granted an equivalent license in any other compact member state, lowering barriers to teacher mobility and bringing more teachers to California. This measure is especially critical for teachers in military families who are frequently called to relocate on short notice.
SB 811 is supported by the U.S. Department of Defense, Los Angeles County Office of Education, Military Officers Association of America, National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification, San Diego Military Advisory Council, along with several others. The measure passed off the Senate Floor with overwhelming bipartisan support and now goes to the Assembly for consideration.
3 comments
This is a band-aid fix to a more fundamental problem. Why does each state need its own (differing) teacher licensing system? How about one NATIONAL license/certification credential? That will upset the entrenched state educational bureaucracies and California’s liberal left will hate the idea – but that alone suggests it has some merit. If ever state bureaucracies needed some “creative destruction,” its in the public education arena.
Its time to think outside the box.
Because each state is it’s own republic and handles its own affairs. Isn’t there a part in the constitution about all things not reserved by the feds are for, and fall on, the states? Sure, the New Deal created the education system federally, but there is no language in it regarding licensing. Hence, it’s up to the states to handle that if they decide they want to do it.
Chill. I didn’t say state certification is “illegal” or “unconstitutional.” I am saying that it is counterproductive to solving teacher staffing problems.
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