Bill > AB1224

This bill addresses teacher shortages in California by temporarily (until January 1, 2029) modifying rules for substitute teachers' service days. Under the new provisions, substitute teachers can now serve up to 60 cumulative days in a single assignment within a school district, county office of education, or charter school, but only under specific conditions. These conditions include either having a collective bargaining agreement with a specific process for substitute teacher assignments or following strict recruitment and approval protocols. The bill requires school districts to obtain governing board approval for substitute teacher assignments lasting more than 20 days in special education or 30 days in any single assignment, either in advance for foreseeable assignments or as an informational item for urgent circumstances. Additionally, if a substitute teacher lacks a preliminary or professional clear credential, the local educational agency must provide professional development, orientation training, and mentoring opportunities within 30 days of assignment. County superintendents must quarterly report on extended substitute teacher assignments, and starting in the 2026-27 school year, local educational agencies must annually report detailed information about these assignments to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The Legislature emphasizes that this flexibility is intended as a temporary measure to address teacher shortages while maintaining a commitment to educator quality and long-term solutions for staffing challenges.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1224