California Gets Serious About Teacher Quality.

Senate Bill 1209 will strengthen California's teaching workforce, encourage teachers to teach in high-need schools, says Center for the Future of Teaching and Learning.

LOS ANGELES -- Calling the legislation a "roadmap for strengthening the quality of California's teaching workforce for decades to come," the Center for the Future of Teaching and Learning today commended Senate Education Chair Jack Scott, the California Legislature and Governor Schwarzenegger for the passage of Senate Bill 1209.

"This bipartisan legislation will strengthen California's teacher pipeline and help to ensure that all children have fair access to fully prepared and effective teachers. Within the next few years California stands to lose 100,000 teachers, or about one-third of the workforce, due to retirement. This legislation will help to alleviate a shortage in the face of looming teacher retirements by reducing bureaucratic barriers to the profession and encouraging skilled and knowledgeable teachers to take jobs in the state's neediest schools," said Margaret Gaston, executive director of the Center for the Future of Teaching and Learning.

"We are grateful to Senator Jack Scott, Chair of the Senate Education Committee, and to Senate President pro Tem Don Perata for their leadership in building a stronger teacher workforce. Further, it is important to recognize the role of Governor Schwarzenegger and his staff, and Secretary of Education Alan Bersin in highlighting the importance of good teaching. The Governor's signature on Senator Scott's bill shows that, with good information and decisive leadership, policymakers can agree on effective solutions to difficult problems facing our schools," Gaston said.

Senate Bill 1209 aims to increase the supply of teachers and reduce the inequitable assignment of the state's least experienced, least qualified teachers to schools in low-income neighborhoods serving predominately minority students. The legislation removes barriers to entry into the teaching profession, provides training and support to new teachers, and offers incentives to encourage veteran teachers to serve as mentors in high-need schools. The legislation also seeks to streamline hiring and broaden compensation practices. Together with efforts to develop a stronger education data system and other education legislation passed this session, Senate Bill 1209 is a key part of a comprehensive effort to strengthen California's teaching workforce to benefit all students.

The Center for the Future of Teaching and Learning is an independent, non-profit organization focused on strengthening teacher development policy and practice. With research conduced by SRI International, The Center releases an annual report on the status of California's teacher workforce. The latest report, which informed SB 1209 and other legislation, warned of a shortage of teachers and identified inequities in the assignment of novice and underprepared teachers to schools with large numbers of low income and minority students. Recommendations for addressing these challenges developed by a statewide task force accompanied the report to California's policymakers.