Teacher education programs: community colleges.

Existing law requires the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to establish standards for the issuance and renewal of credentials, certificates, and permits. 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 things, a community or junior college that confers baccalaureate degrees and is regionally accredited by specified accrediting entities, as provided. This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation to establish a pilot program to address teacher education programs at community colleges.