CA AB2160

Allows local educational agencies and schools to assign teachers holding an education specialist credential (authorizing instruction to students with mild and moderate disabilities) to teach pupils with autism if the teacher consents and meets specified criteria

Teachers must have either provided full-time special education instruction to autism students for at least one year prior to September 1, 2007 with favorable evaluation, or completed a minimum of three semester units of coursework in autism from a regionally accredited institution

Removes the requirement that the education specialist credential be level 1 only, expanding which credentials qualify teachers for autism instruction assignments

Requires local educational agencies and schools to report teacher assignments made under this section as part of annual assignment monitoring

Extends the inoperative date from August 31, 2011 to October 1, 2013, and the repeal date from January 1, 2012 to January 1, 2014