(a) By December 1, 2007, the Superintendent and the commission shall report to the Legislature and the Governor on the current state of the Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment System. The report shall review the articulation of teacher preparation programs and teacher induction programs to eliminate duplicative requirements and, at a minimum, do all of the following:
(1) Recommend revisions to laws, regulations, or policies to eliminate duplicative requirements between teacher preparation and teacher induction programs, with particular attention paid to eliminating duplication between induction requirements and requirements for completion of state-approved alternative certification programs.
(2) Recommend revisions to the system to ensure that teacher credential candidates achieve teaching competence and programs use best practices to transition candidates from teacher preparation programs to induction programs.
(3) Recommend ways to ensure that beginning teachers receive direct assistance from experienced teachers who are familiar with the grade span, subject matter, and teaching and classroom management techniques appropriate to the teaching assignment of each beginning teacher.
(b) By July 1, 2008, the Superintendent and the commission shall review and revise, as necessary, the Standards of Quality and Effectiveness for Professional Teacher Induction Programs of March 2002 to ensure that these standards address the application of knowledge and skills previously acquired in a preliminary credential program and to remove any requirements or activities that require candidates to duplicate the acquisition of knowledge through coursework. This review shall include, but need not be limited to, all of the following:
(1) A review of formative assessment systems in use to ensure that the systems are appropriately flexible and may be adapted to reflect progress of individual candidates.
(2) A review of professional development provided to induction participants to ensure that it is not duplicative of coursework completed during teacher preparation.
(3) A review of new teacher support to ensure that the focus is on application and enhancement of skills and knowledge acquired in a preliminary credential program.
(4) Recommendations for program monitoring with respect to this subdivision.
(c) In consultation with the Superintendent, the commission shall revise the formative assessment system for beginning teachers, as necessary to ensure that related tasks and activities are aligned to the revised standards.
(d) The Superintendent and the commission shall identify effective practices and techniques and provide for the dissemination of these to local induction program providers.
(e) Immediately following the adoption of revised standards pursuant to subdivision (b), the commission shall review induction programs to determine whether local teacher induction programs are meeting standards of quality and effectiveness adopted pursuant to subdivision (b) and to assure greater program quality and consistency. The commission shall schedule regular reviews following the initial review of programs pursuant to this subdivision.
(f) The Superintendent and the commission shall ensure that teacher credential candidates are notified of the opportunity to choose an early completion option pursuant to Section 44468.
(g) It is the intent of the Legislature that funds appropriated in Provision 44 of Item 6110-001-0890 of Section 2.00 of the Budget Act of 2006 (Chapter 47 of the Statutes of 2006) be made available for reviews and preparation of the reports required pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b), and that the implementation of recommendations proceed immediately following the adoption of those reviews and reports.
(Added by Stats. 2006, Ch. 517, Sec. 23. Effective January 1, 2007.)