An act to add Article 15 13.7 (commencing with Section 44405) 44400.05) to Chapter 2 of Part 25 of Division 3 of Title 2 to the Education Code, relating to teachers.
Summary
AB 2060 would create a new state-administered teacher mentorship funding program within the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. As amended, the bill establishes the California Teacher Mentor Grant Program and the Experienced Mentor Teacher Stipend Program to expand support for student teachers by paying experienced mentor teachers who provide nonevaluative coaching and classroom-based support to credential candidates in commission-approved teacher preparation programs. The measure is tied to one-time funding from the Legislature and is intended to strengthen teacher recruitment and retention by making the mentor role more structured and financially supported.
Under the bill, local educational agencies such as school districts, charter schools, and county offices of education could apply for funding through a request-for-applications process. Participating agencies would be required to partner with a commission-approved teacher preparation program, identify and match mentor teachers with student teachers, provide a $3,000 stipend to each eligible mentor teacher, and offer orientation and ongoing professional learning for mentors. The bill also expands the Commission on Teacher Credentialing’s online reporting process to collect information about mentor credentials, experience, employing agencies, schoolsites, and demographic data, and it requires annual reports to the Legislature on program participation and outcomes.
Impact
AB 2060 would add new provisions to the Education Code creating a mentor-teacher stipend/grant structure administered by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. It would not change credentialing standards directly, but it would add a new state program layered onto the existing Student Teacher Stipend Program and require participating local educational agencies to meet program conditions in order to receive funds. The bill would also require annual legislative reporting and data collection, including information on teacher shortage alignment and participant demographics, which could affect how the state monitors teacher preparation and workforce pipelines.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests broad support for the bill. The measure received unanimous or near-unanimous committee approval, including a 9-0 vote to pass as amended and re-refer to Appropriations, and the later committee action also showed no opposition. The bill’s findings frame it as a teacher workforce and retention measure, and the lack of recorded opposition indicates the concept of compensating mentor teachers was generally well received.
Contention
There is little evidence of substantive opposition in the available materials, but the bill does contain a few likely pressure points. Its implementation depends on a future appropriation of one-time funds, so fiscal feasibility is a key issue, especially because the bill does not itself appropriate money. The requirement that local educational agencies partner with commission-approved preparation programs and provide structured orientation, matching, and ongoing support may also raise administrative concerns for districts and charter schools. In addition, the bill requires collection of demographic information and first-come-first-served prioritization if demand exceeds funding, which could prompt questions about equity, access, and program design.
An act to amend Sections 44671 and 49600 of, and to add Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 52210) to Part 28 of Division 4 of Title 2 of, the Education Code, relating to pupil instruction.
An act to amend Sections 15102, 15106, 15268, and 15270 of, to add Article 8 (commencing with Section 89800) to Chapter 6 of Part 55 of Division 8 of Title 3 of, to add Article 7 (commencing with Section 92170) to Chapter 2 of Part 57 of Division 9 of Title 3 of, and to add Part 71 (commencing with Section 101200) to Division 14 of Title 3 of, the Education Code,
relating to education finance, by providing the funds necessary therefor through an election for the issuance and sale of bonds of the State of California and for the handling and disposition of these funds.
An act to add Section 37224 to, and to add Article 12 (commencing with Section 66095) to Chapter 2 of Part 40 of Division 5 of Title 3 of, the Education Code, and to amend Sections 11131 and 54961 of the Government Code, relating to holidays.
An act to add Article 10 (commencing with Section 1980) to Chapter 4 of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code, relating to healing arts. amend Section 84513 of the Government Code, relating to the Political Reform Act of 1974.