SACRAMENTO —Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel (D-San Diego County) celebrates the passage of AB 1119 from the legislature as it moves on to the Governor for his signature. AB 1119 addresses California’s teacher shortage by directing the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) to develop regulations to create more efficient routes to dual credentialing for teacher candidates and existing teachers. This will increase the supply of teachers qualified to serve students with and without disabilities, helping California reach its goal of inclusive classrooms for all.
California faces a growing mismatch between supply and demand, a problem that is especially harming the state’s goals for students with disabilities and creating one system of education for all students. Since credentialing requirements diverged in the 1990s, the total number of dually credentialed teachers has declined, as has the rate of new credentialing. 15.5% fewer dual credentials were issued in 2022-23 compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, students with disabilities increased in that same period.
California’s goal of one system of education for all students, one that includes all types of students in one classroom, is driven by over 30 years of research showing benefits for students with and without disabilities to share a classroom. Meeting California’s goals for the inclusion of students with disabilities will require a workforce skilled in providing instruction in both general and special education settings. Dually credentialed teachers have the preparation and authorization to fill this void.
"I urge the Governor to sign AB 1119 to help address our teacher shortage crisis," said Assemblymember Patel. "Since my days as a school board leader, I've seen how the lack of teachers trained in both general and special education hurts students with disabilities in the classroom and later in the workforce. This bill removes the bureaucratic barriers that have made it too hard for teachers to gain these crucial skills.”
AB 1119 passed the Assembly and Senate with unanimous support.
