§ 44400

For purposes of this article, the following definitions apply:

(a) “High-need field” means a field designated as having the most significant shortages by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing and may include any of the following:

(1) Credentials issued in conjunction with a bilingual or computer science authorization.

(2) Mathematics, science, or technology credentials.

(3) Special education credentials.

(b) “Local educational agency” means a school district, charter school, or county office of education.

(c) “Priority school” means a school with 55 percent or more of its pupils being unduplicated pupils, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 42238.02.

(d) “Program” means the Student Teacher Stipend Program established pursuant to Section 44400.01.

(e) “Prospective educator” means a candidate enrolled in a program of professional preparation for a preliminary multiple subject, single subject, education specialist, or PK-3 early childhood education specialist instruction credential accredited by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

(f) “Student teaching” shall align to clinical practice guidance by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, and refers to time spent in the classroom with a cooperating or mentor teacher, and includes, but is not limited to, coplanning, coteaching, guided teaching, and solo teaching. For the purposes of this program, service on an intern credential does not qualify as student teaching.

(Amended by Stats. 2026, Ch. 65, Sec. 66. (AB 126) Effective July 9, 2026.)