Teacher preparation programs: school districts and county offices of education: English learners.

Assembly Member Muratsuchi’s measure would authorize the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing to approve teacher education programs offered by school districts or county offices of education that are designed for earning cross-cultural language and academic development certificates, English learner authorizations, bilingual authorizations, and the California Teacher of English Learners program. This creates a pathway for district- and COE-run programs to function as approved routes toward EL-related credentials.

The bill requires the commission to apply the same standards used to approve programs offered by regionally accredited institutions of higher education to those district/COE programs. Acknowledging precedence, the provision begins with a “Notwithstanding any other law” clause, giving the new authority priority to the extent allowed by law as the commission evaluates and approves local programs.

In terms of legal framework, the measure adds a new provision rather than amending existing sections directly, establishing the commission’s ability to approve district/COE programs for EL-related credentials and directing alignment with higher-ed approval standards. It does not specify changes to existing EL credential requirements themselves or alter how current EL coursework requirements are counted, beyond enabling a parallel approval pathway for district/COE offerings.

Implementation and oversight considerations are not detailed in the text. The bill does not designate an explicit funding mechanism or timeline for when district/COE programs may begin applying for approval, nor does it specify procedural steps, reporting, or renewal processes. As a result, regulatory guidance and fiscal analysis would likely play a central role in clarifying application procedures, capacity for review, and ongoing compliance once the new pathway is in place.