Existing law requires instructional teachers in state-licensed preschool and early childcare programs to have a credential from the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and complete a designated amount of coursework. In response to a recent shortage of credentialed early childcare teachers, this bill authorizes CTC to issue a new, temporary Assistant Teacher Permit with a reduced coursework requirement. Beginning January 1, 2026, preschools, school districts, and childcare providers that operate under a state contract (Contracting Agencies) may hire staff under this new pathway. A private preschool that operates solely on tuition and does not contract with the state cannot use the Assistant Teacher Permit and must continue to meet existing teacher certification requirements.
Under AB 753, an individual with an Assistant Teacher Permit may now assist in the care, development, and instruction of children under the supervision of a fully credentialed teacher and may supervise a classroom independently for up to 120 minutes per day. Each preschool that hires an Assistant Teacher must keep the teacher’s education plan in the employee’s file and must report staffing data to the Department of Education or the Department of Social Services through annual self-evaluations or other required reports. The preschool may use the Assistant Teacher Permit only one year after the Commission on Teacher Credentialing adopts a revised child development permit matrix, or until January 1, 2029, whichever comes later.
(AB 753 adds sections 8231.5 and 8301.1 to the Education Code and sections 10267.6 and 10383.1 to the Welfare and Institutions Code.)