AB 2206 — Teacher credentialing: community college baccalaureate degrees.

Summary

Existing law requires the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to establish standards for the issuance and renewal of credentials, certificates, and permits. Existing law prescribes specific minimum requirements a candidate must satisfy to be issued a teaching credential, certificate, or permit, including, among other requirements, possession of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education, except as provided. Existing law authorizes the commission to approve a regionally accredited institution of higher education to recommend to the commission the issuance of credentials to persons who have successfully completed a teacher education program of the institution if the program meets the standards approved by the commission. Existing law defines a regionally accredited institution of higher education for these purposes to include, among other institutions, a community or junior college that confers baccalaureate degrees and is regionally accredited by specified accrediting entities, as provided. This bill would delete a community or junior college that confers baccalaureate degrees and is regionally accredited by specified accrediting entities from the definition of "regionally accredited." The bill would instead require a baccalaureate degree from an accredited community or junior college to include specific coursework in basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills in the English language, as provided, in order for that baccalaureate degree to satisfy the baccalaureate degree requirement for a teaching credential, certificate, or permit. The bill would prohibit a California community college and a California community college district from offering an integrated program of professional preparation that would enable a candidate for a teaching credential to engage in professional preparation concurrently with subject matter preparation, while completing a baccalaureate degree. This bill would incorporate additional changes to Sections 44252, 44259, and 44325 of the Education Code proposed by SB 1443 to be operative only if this bill and SB 1443 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.

Bill Text

• Chaptered 09/20/26 - Chaptered html September 20, 2026
• Enrolled 09/01/26 - Enrolled html September 01, 2026
• Amended 08/21/26 - Amended Senate html August 21, 2026
• Amended 08/13/26 - Amended Senate html August 13, 2026
• Amended 06/08/26 - Amended Senate Current pdf June 08, 2026
• Amended 04/13/26 - Amended Assembly pdf April 13, 2026
• Amended 04/06/26 - Amended Assembly pdf April 06, 2026
• Amended 03/16/26 - Amended Assembly pdf March 16, 2026
• Introduced 02/19/26 - Introduced pdf February 19, 2026
• AB2206 View text html

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

This bill amends 3 section(s) of the California codes: Section 44252 of the Education Code; Section 44258.7 of the Education Code; Section 44325 of the Education Code.

• Section 44252 of the Education Code

  individual 44252.5 or 44252.7. district, or (f)(1)Each applicant to an approved credential program, unless exempted by subdivision (b), shall take the state basic skills proficiency test in order to provide both the prospective applicant and the program with information regarding the proficiency level of the applicant. Test results shall be forwarded to each California postsecondary educational institution to which the applicant has applied. The program shall use test results to ensure that, upon admission, each applicant receives appropriate academic assistance necessary to pass the state basic skills proficiency test. Persons residing outside the state shall take the test no later than the second available administration following their enrollment in a credential program.(2) → SEC. 4.5. Section 44252 of the Education Code is amended to read: individual, 44252.5. (A) (B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), a baccalaureate degree from a community or junior college that is regionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges shall satisfy the baccalaureate degree requirement only if the baccalaureate degree includes coursework in basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills in the English language, as described in paragraph (10). district or, (f)

  amended

• Section 44258.7 of the Education Code

  SEC. 9.Section 44259 of the Education Code is amended to read:44259.(a)Except as provided in clauses (i) and (iii) of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b), a program of professional preparation for multiple or single subject teaching credentials shall not include more than two years of full-time study of professional preparation.(b)The minimum requirements for the preliminary multiple subject, single subject, or education specialist teaching credential are all of the following:(1)(A)A baccalaureate degree or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. Except as provided in subdivision (c) of Section 44227, for single subject teaching credentials, the baccalaureate degree shall not be in professional education. The commission shall encourage regionally accredited institutions of higher education to offer undergraduate minors in education and special education to students who intend to become single subject credentialed teachers.(B)Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), a baccalaureate degree from a community or junior college that is regionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges shall satisfy the baccalaureate degree requirement only if the baccalaureate degree includes coursework in basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills in the English language, as described in paragraph (10) of subdivision (b) of Section 44252.(2)[Reserved](3)(A)Satisfactory completion of a program of professional preparation that has been accredited by the Committee on Accreditation on the basis of standards of program quality and effectiveness that have been adopted by the commission. In accordance with the commission’s assessment and performance standards, a program shall include a teaching performance assessment as set forth in Section 44320.2 that is aligned with the California Standards for the Teaching Profession. The commission shall ensure that a candidate recommended for a credential or certificate has demonstrated satisfactory ability to assist pupils to meet or exceed academic content and performance standards for pupils adopted by the state board. Programs that meet this requirement for professional preparation shall include any of the following:(i)Integrated programs of subject matter preparation and professional preparation pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 44259.1.(ii)Postbaccalaureate programs of professional preparation, pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 44259.1.(iii)Internship programs of professional preparation, pursuant to Section 44321, Article 7.5 (commencing with Section 44325), Article 11 (commencing with Section 44380), and Article 3 (commencing with Section 44450) of Chapter 3.(iv)Degree programs offered pursuant to Article 5 (commencing with Section 78060) of Chapter 1 of Part 48 of Division 7 of Title 3.(B)A program of professional preparation pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall provide experience that addresses all of the following:(i)Health education, including a basic understanding of youth mental health, study of nutrition, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the physiological and sociological effects of the abuse of alcohol, narcotics, and drugs and the use of tobacco. Training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation shall also meet the standards established by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.(ii)Field experience in methods of delivering appropriate educational services to pupils with exceptional needs in regular education programs.(iii)Advanced computer-based technology, including the uses of technology in educational settings.(4)Study of effective means of teaching literacy, including, but not limited to, the study of reading as described in subparagraphs (A) and (B), and evidence-based means of teaching foundational reading skills in print concepts, phonological awareness, phonics and word recognition, and fluency to all pupils, including tiered supports fo → SEC. 9. Section 44259 of the Education Code is amended to read: (A) (B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), a baccalaureate degree from a community or junior college that is regionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges shall satisfy the baccalaureate degree requirement only if the baccalaureate degree includes coursework in basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills in the English language, as described in paragraph (10) of subdivision (b) of Section 44252. SEC. 9.5. Section 44259 of the Education Code is amended to read: (A) (B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), a baccalaureate degree from a community or junior college that is regionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges shall satisfy the baccalaureate degree requirement only if the baccalaureate degree includes coursework in basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills in the English language, as described in paragraph (10) of subdivision (b) of Section 44252. subject, single subject, or education specialist

  amended

• Section 44325 of the Education Code

  school district, (e)The commission shall ensure that each district internship program in California provides program elements to its interns as required by the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (20 U.S.C. Sec. 6301 et seq.) and its implementing regulations. → SEC. 14.5. Section 44325 of the Education Code is amended to read: commission-approved program sponsor, (A) (B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), a baccalaureate degree from a community or junior college that is regionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges shall satisfy the baccalaureate degree requirement only if the baccalaureate degree includes coursework in basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills in the English language, as described in paragraph (10) of subdivision (b) of Section 44252. (5) Verified employment in a teaching position at a school district, county office of education, or charter school in the state. (e) Notwithstanding any other law, a California community college and a California community college district shall not offer an integrated program of professional preparation that would enable a candidate for a teaching credential to engage in professional preparation, concurrently with subject matter preparation, while completing a baccalaureate degree. SEC. 15.

  amended

Action History

1. September 04, 2026

   Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.

2. August 27, 2026

   Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 77. Noes 0.).

3. August 27, 2026

   In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.

4. August 26, 2026

   Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0.).

5. August 24, 2026

   Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

6. August 21, 2026

   Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.

7. August 17, 2026

   Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

8. August 13, 2026

   Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.

9. August 13, 2026

   From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (August 13).

10. June 29, 2026

    In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.

11. June 17, 2026

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (June 17). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

12. June 08, 2026

    From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on ED.

13. June 03, 2026

    Referred to Com. on ED.

14. May 27, 2026

    In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.

15. May 26, 2026

    Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 78. Noes 0.)

16. May 18, 2026

    Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

17. May 14, 2026

    From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 14).

18. May 06, 2026

    In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.

19. April 22, 2026

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (April 21). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

20. April 14, 2026

    Re-referred to Com. on HIGHER ED.

21. April 13, 2026

    Read second time and amended.

22. April 09, 2026

    From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on HIGHER ED. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (April 8).

23. April 07, 2026

    Re-referred to Com. on ED.

24. April 06, 2026

    From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on ED. Read second time and amended.

25. March 17, 2026

    Re-referred to Com. on ED.

26. March 16, 2026

    From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on ED. Read second time and amended.

27. March 16, 2026

    Referred to Coms. on ED. and HIGHER ED.

28. February 20, 2026

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 22.

29. February 19, 2026

    Read first time. To print.

Sponsors

• Mike Fong · Primary

Votes

Subjects