Bonilla-Press-Headers

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                              CONTACT:   Ryan Morimune, (916) 319-2014

January 20, 2015                                                                                                 Ryan.Morimune@asm.ca.gov

 

Assemblywoman Bonilla Introduces Bill to Support and Retain More Teachers 

 

SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Susan A. Bonilla (D-Concord) recently introduced legislation to ensure beginning teachers have access to teacher induction programs and do not have to pay out of their own pockets to participate.  Induction programs are designed to provide a strong support structure for new teachers and help them transition to becoming high-quality, career educators.  

 

“Induction programs are instrumental in the development and retention of recently credentialed teachers,” said Assemblywoman Bonilla.  “The entire burden of identifying, accessing, and financing a quality induction program is now being placed on many new teachers.  The additional barriers are making it extremely difficult for some to receive the training necessary for their career development.” 

 

Beginning teachers are required to complete an induction program within their first five years of teaching in order to earn a full credential.  Previously, the Teacher Credentialing Block Grant funded induction programs across the state, but since the shift to the Local Control Funding Formula, the funding of induction programs is now determined locally by school districts.  As a result, some school districts have dismantled their induction programs, while others are now charging teachers up to $5,000 to complete induction.  Assemblywoman Bonilla’s bill, AB 141, would address this issue by requiring schools to provide an induction program, while also prohibiting them from charging a fee for participation.

  

“We have seen a sharp decline in the issuance of new teacher credentials,” said Assemblywoman Bonilla.  “AB 141 will improve teacher recruitment and retention by removing further financial burdens and keeping high quality induction programs accessible for all beginning teachers.” 

            

Assemblywoman Susan A. Bonilla (D-Concord) was elected in November 2010 and represents California’s 14th Assembly District, which includes Contra Costa County and Solano County.

 

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