California Commission on Teacher Credentialing

March 12, 2020

The state should revise the reading instruction test for teachers

The RICA is outdated and discourages talented teachers, says long-time educator.

Tina Costantino-Lane

January 23, 2020

California moves closer to eliminating, replacing reading instruction test that has blocked thousands from teaching credential

Debate rages on about how to measure a teacher candidate’s ability to teach reading.

Diana Lambert

January 10, 2020

Amid shortages, schools settle for underprepared special education teachers

The number of new special education teachers working without a full credential hit 5,196 in 2017-18 — the highest number in a decade.

Diana Lambert

January 8, 2020

California’s effort to turn school staff into teachers starts to pay off

More than 2,000 bus drivers, clerks, custodians and teacher aides are earning bachelor’s degrees and teaching credentials. 

Diana Lambert

May 23, 2019

California considers overhauling test of reading instruction for teachers in training

The test is outdated and there is no evidence that it contributes to more effective instruction.

Diana Lambert

April 18, 2019

Teach for America targeted as legislation seeks to limit inexperienced teachers in California

Assemblywoman has introduced a bill that would ban some inexperienced teachers from schools with a high percentage of low-income students.

Theresa Harrington

January 21, 2019

Required tests roadblock for many aspiring California teachers

Almost half of California’s potential teachers quit the profession before they even start because they can't pass one or more of the tests required for them to earn a credential, making it more difficult for the state to put a dent in a persistent teacher shortage.

Diana Lambert

August 15, 2018

California gets high grade in measuring teachers’ reading instruction skills

Linda Darling-Hammond, chair of teacher credentialing commission, calls the state assessment out of date and not a good predictor of classroom performance.

John Fensterwald

May 16, 2018

The art of engagement: classroom management now matters more in teacher training

The current era of discipline reform in California is putting greater emphasis on an aspect of teaching that has long gotten the short shrift in teacher credentialing programs.

David Washburn

December 12, 2017

Big changes in requirements to become a special education teacher in California

Special education teachers will again be qualified to teach in general education classrooms.

John Fensterwald

August 10, 2017

Undergraduate education major, banned for 56 years, returns

Colleges will have another option for a 4-year path to a teaching credential.

John Fensterwald

April 5, 2017

Outside the limelight, rural schools face challenges in finding, and keeping, teachers

Many are filling the gap with intern teachers and those with short-term permits.

Fermin Leal

February 8, 2017

Worsening teacher shortage puts more underprepared teachers in classrooms, report says

Amid the state's teacher shortage, California issued more than 10,200 intern credentials, permits and waivers to underprepared teachers so they could work in classrooms in 2015-16.

Fermin Leal

December 20, 2016

State awards $20 million in grants to help more school employees become teachers

School employees in 25 school districts or county offices of education who want to become teachers are eligible to receive annual grants of up to $4,000 as part of an effort to add more teachers to the workforce.

Fermin Leal

December 8, 2016

College campuses to receive $8 million to boost teacher-prep programs

The grants support programs that allow students to get a bachelor's degree and teaching credential in four years.

Fermin Leal And John Fensterwald