SB 933 Summary

• Establishes the California Teacher Corps Act of 2016 to provide $60,000,000 in one-time grants from the General Fund (available for 2016-17, 2017-18, and 2018-19 fiscal years) to local educational agencies and consortia to establish, maintain, or expand teacher residency programs.

• Defines teacher residency programs as school-based preparation programs where prospective teachers teach at least half-time alongside an experienced mentor teacher for one academic year while completing initial credentialing coursework and receiving financial assistance.

• Establishes eligibility requirements for participants, including enrollment in an accredited teacher credentialing program and a written commitment to teach as a teacher of record in the sponsoring local educational agency for at least four school years after obtaining a preliminary credential.

• Provides grants of $20,000 per resident (matching required from local agencies at 100 percent) with priority given to programs targeting chronic teacher shortage areas such as special education, bilingual teachers, and hard-to-staff schools.

• Requires participating teachers to repay training costs on a pro rata basis if they fail to complete the four-year placement commitment, with exceptions for medical leave, military service, and certain employment circumstances.