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AB 811

Teacher credentialing: computer science instruction: workgroup.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Patrick Ahrens

AB 811 would allow certain prior field experience to satisfy key teaching credentialing requirements (TPA and subject‑matter) and delays a CS credentialing workgroup to guide CS in

From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
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Bill Summary · AB 811

AB 811 (Ahrens) — Summary (Teacher credentialing; computer science workgroup; prior field experience)

Status: In committee — Held under submission (Assembly Appropriations, 05/23/2025)
Introduced: February 19, 2025

Purpose / intent

AB 811 makes two related sets of changes to California teacher credentialing law: (1) it delays and extends an existing, appropriation‑dependent workgroup on credentialing for computer science instruction; and (2) it requires the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) to develop formal standards allowing a teacher candidate’s prior field experience to serve as an alternative pathway to satisfy (a) the teaching performance assessment (TPA) and (b) verification of subject‑matter competence.

Key provisions

  • Computer science workgroup (amendment to Ed. Code § 44257.5)

    • Moves the required convening date from on or before July 1, 2024 to on or before July 1, 2026.
    • Moves the required report deadline from on or before July 1, 2025 to on or before July 1, 2027.
    • Extends the automatic repeal of these workgroup provisions from January 1, 2028 to January 1, 2030.
    • Workgroup duties: determine which existing credentials (or designated CTE credentials) should authorize computer science instruction; consider creation of a single‑subject computer science credential; recommend strategies to meet workforce demands for expanding CS access.
    • Composition requirements: at least half current secondary classroom teachers with CS experience; plus representatives from school administration, higher education teacher‑preparation programs, and CS content experts.
    • Implementation remains contingent on a legislative appropriation.

  • Prior field experience standards (amendment to Ed. Code § 44225)

    • Requires the CTC, on or before January 1, 2029, to establish two separate sets of standards defining prior field experience as an alternative education pathway:
    • One set for meeting the requirements of a teaching performance assessment (TPA).
    • One set for verifying subject‑matter competence.
    • Effective January 1, 2029, prior field experience that meets the applicable CTC standards must qualify as an alternative pathway to satisfy the TPA requirement and/or subject‑matter verification.
    • Until January 1, 2029, the CTC may continue to approve prior field experience on an individual basis.

Who is affected

  • Commission on Teacher Credentialing (required to develop standards and convene workgroup).
  • Prospective teachers/candidates — particularly those with relevant prior field or industry experience (e.g., paraprofessionals, industry professionals) who may be able to use that experience to satisfy TPAs or subject‑matter competence.
  • Teacher preparation programs and higher education institutions (must align with new standards; may see changes in candidate pipelines).
  • K–12 schools and districts (potentially broader hiring flexibility, especially in computer science).
  • Postsecondary and workforce stakeholders involved in computer science education and teacher supply.

Timeline / procedural notes

  • Key deadlines established in the bill:
    • Convene CS workgroup: by July 1, 2026 (contingent on appropriation).
    • Workgroup report to Legislature: by July 1, 2027.
    • CTC to adopt prior field experience standards: by January 1, 2029.
    • New workgroup provisions repeal: January 1, 2030.
    • As of Jan 1, 2029, qualifying prior field experience must be accepted as an alternative pathway.
  • Legislative actions: introduced Feb 19, 2025; referred to Assembly Education; amended and re‑referred; passed out of Education Committee (do pass) and re‑referred to Appropriations; set, first hearing and placed on suspense file; held under submission in Appropriations as of 05/23/2025.
  • Fiscal: bill referred to fiscal committee; implementation of the computer science workgroup requires appropriation.

Potential impact (summary)

If enacted, AB 811 would formalize and expand alternative pathways into teaching by recognizing specified prior field experience as satisfying key credentialing requirements, possibly increasing recruitment from nontraditional backgrounds. It also delays and extends the computer‑science credentialing workgroup to guide how CS instruction should be authorized and how to expand access statewide. The workgroup’s activity is conditional on funding.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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