AB-811 • 2026

Teacher credentialing: computer science instruction: workgroup.

Budget Education Taxes

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Ahrens
Last action: 2026-02-02
Official status: From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on how the Commission will handle individual cases before January 1, 2029.

Teacher credentialing: computer science instruction: workgroup

This law extends deadlines for creating and reporting on a workgroup studying how to train teachers in computer science, and sets new rules for using real-world teaching experience as part of becoming a certified teacher.

What This Bill Does

Extends the deadline for setting up a group to study how to train teachers in computer science by two years, from July 1, 2024 to July 1, 2026.
Delays when this group's report must be given to the government by two years, from July 1, 2025 to July 1, 2027.
Requires the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to create new rules for using real-world teaching experience as a way to show readiness and knowledge in teaching before January 1, 2029.

Who It Names or Affects

Teachers seeking certification or authorization to teach computer science in California schools.
The Commission on Teacher Credentialing, which sets standards for teacher certification and renewal.

Terms To Know

Commission on Teacher Credentialing: A group that makes rules about how teachers can get certified to teach in California.
Workgroup: A small team of people who work together to study a specific topic, like teaching computer science.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how the new rules for using real-world teaching experience will be created or what they will include.
It is unclear if and when funding will be provided for these changes.

Bill History

2026-02-02 California Legislative Information
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
2026-01-31 California Legislative Information
Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
In committee: Held under submission.
2025-04-30 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.
2025-04-10 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (April 9). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-03-19 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on ED.
2025-03-18 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on ED. Read second time and amended.
2025-03-03 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on ED.
2025-02-20 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 22.
2025-02-19 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 811, as amended, Ahrens.
Teacher credentialing:
teaching performance assessments: subject matter competence: prior field experience.
computer science instruction: workgroup.
Existing law requires the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to establish standards for the issuance and renewal of credentials, certificates, and permits. Existing law requires the commission to issue a single subject teaching credential only in specified subjects and authorizes the commission to issue an authorization to teach a subject other than the one authorized by a single subject teaching credential if the holder of the credential meets certain requirements.
Existing law, upon appropriation by the Legislature for this purpose, requires the commission, on or before July 1, 2024, to convene a workgroup on credentialing for instruction in computer science, as provided. Existing law also requires the commission, on or before July 1, 2025, to provide a
report of the workgroup’s findings and recommendations, as provided. Existing law repeals these provisions as of January 1, 2028.
This bill would extend the above-referenced deadlines by 2 years and delay the repeal date of those provisions by 2 years.
Existing law requires the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to establish standards for the issuance and renewal of credentials. Existing law requires, as minimum requirements for a preliminary multiple subject, single subject, or education specialist teaching credential, (1) the satisfactory completion of a program of professional preparation that includes a teaching performance assessment that meets specified requirements and has been approved by the commission, as provided, and (2) verification of subject matter competence, demonstrated through one of various methods, as provided.
This bill would require the commission, on or before January 1, 2029, to establish 2 sets of standards for a teacher candidate’s prior field experience to be used as an alternative education pathway with one for meeting the requirements of a teaching performance
assessment and one for meeting the requirements for verifying subject matter competence, as provided. On and after January 1, 2029, the bill would require a teacher candidate’s prior field experience that meets the applicable standards developed by the commission to qualify as an alternative education pathway for meeting a teaching performance assessment or for verifying subject matter competence, or both. Until January 1, 2029, the bill would expressly authorize the commission to, on an individual basis, allow for a teacher candidate’s prior field experience to qualify as an alternative education pathway for meeting the requirements of a teaching performance assessment or for verifying subject matter competence, or both.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

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