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Bill

AB 291

Teachers: credentialed educator apprenticeship programs.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Gipson and 1 co-sponsor

AB 291 creates apprenticeship pathways allowing Californians to earn teaching credentials while working in classrooms under mentorship, bypassing traditional pre-employment teacher preparation programs.

In committee: Held under submission.
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Bill Summary · AB 291

Legislative bill overview

AB 291 establishes credentialed educator apprenticeship programs in California, creating an alternative pathway for individuals to earn teaching credentials while working in schools. The bill allows candidates to gain classroom experience and mentorship simultaneously with credential completion, rather than completing traditional teacher preparation programs before employment.

Why is this important

California faces a significant teacher shortage, particularly in high-need subject areas and underserved communities. This bill attempts to address workforce gaps by allowing faster entry into the classroom while maintaining credential requirements, potentially expanding the teacher pipeline and increasing diversity in the educator workforce.

Potential points of contention

  • Training quality and student impact: Critics may worry that apprentices lack full preparation before working with students, potentially affecting educational quality during their learning phase
  • Mentor teacher burden: Schools would need to dedicate experienced teachers to mentorship, raising questions about workload, compensation, and whether mentors have adequate preparation time
  • Credential standards: Concerns about whether apprenticeship models adequately ensure teachers meet the same competency standards as traditionally-credentialed educators before full independence

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

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