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Bill Summary · AB 2490

Overview

AB 2490, introduced by Assembly Member Valencia (co-sponsor Avelino Valencia), proposes to modify California’s teacher credentialing framework to temporarily expand the use of emergency career substitute teaching permits through alternative qualifications. The measure reestablishes a 60-day cumulative limit for substitute assignments in certain circumstances, creates new requirements for approvals and reporting, and adds professional development and mentoring provisions for permitholders who qualify under the alternatives. It is designed as a stopgap flexibility mechanism to address ongoing teacher shortages while preserving safeguards for instructional quality.

Main purpose and intent

  • Provide limited, time-bound staffing flexibility for substitute teaching when fully credentialed teachers are not available.
  • Reestablish and regulate a 60-cumulative-day authorization for substitute assignments within a single site, under specified conditions.
  • Ensure accountability through board approvals, reporting to governing bodies, and data sharing with the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).

Key provisions and changes

  • Section 44303 (Education Code):

    • Allows a credentialed substitute teacher to serve up to 60 cumulative days in one assignment, if the local educational agency (LEA) has a collective bargaining agreement with the employee organization that includes a process for substitute assignments, or if such an agreement does not exist, the LEA has complied with outlined prerequisites (position type and recruitment/orientation requirements).
    • For foreseeable assignments, LEAs must obtain governing board approval; for unforeseeable/urgent cases, information must be presented at the next public meeting.
    • County superintendents must report quarterly on the number of substitute teachers serving more than 20 days in special education or 30 days in any assignment.
    • If a permitholder lacks a preliminary or professional clear credential, LEAs must ensure they complete 5 hours of professional development, an orientation, and an assigned mentor before the first assignment, enabling up to 60 days of service in a single classroom.
    • Requires annual reporting starting in 2027–28 to CTc on the number of such assignments, including placements in vacant positions or during leaves.

  • Section 44300.5 (Education Code) – Emergency career substitute permits:

    • Expands accepted verification for initial emergency career substitute permits to include: (a) at least 90 days per year of day-to-day substitute teaching over the past three years, verified via district consortium; or (b) district-based verification with targeted professional development, orientation, and a mentor (specific to general or special education).
    • Permits issued under these alternatives remain valid for 12 months; renewal requires 30 hours of professional development.
    • Permits may use existing trainings and mentorship hours to satisfy requirements.
    • A permitholder under these provisions may serve up to 60 days in a single classroom, including special education.
    • LEAs must notify parents within 10 schooldays of placement.

Who is affected

  • Local educational agencies (school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools) that place substitute teachers under emergency career or emergency substitute permits.
  • Substitute teachers holding emergency or credentialed permits, particularly those using alternative qualifications to meet staffing needs.
  • County superintendents and the CTc, through reporting requirements and accountability systems.
  • School boards and governing bodies that must approve foreseeable assignments and receive informational items for urgent placements.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Data reporting begins with the 2027–28 school year for quarterly and annual submissions to CTc and to the county boards.
  • Permits issued or renewed under the bill’s framework would be valid for 12 months, with renewal requiring additional professional development verification (30 hours).
  • The bill emphasizes public-board notice for foreseeable assignments and informational reporting for urgent assignments.

Overall, AB 2490 seeks a structured, time-limited expansion of substitute-teaching flexibility, paired with training, mentorship, oversight, and data reporting to monitor and safeguard instructional quality.

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

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