Assembly Committee Approves Cervantes Bill to Expedite Teacher Credentialing for Military Spouses

(SACRAMENTO) – This week, the Assembly Education Committee unanimously approved Assembly Bill 226 by Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes (D-Corona). AB 226 would require the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to consider the applications of spouses of active United States Military service members within seven days if they are credentialed teachers in other states.

“Military families sacrifice so much on our behalf,” Cervantes said. “We must do whatever we can to support military families while their loved ones are deployed abroad protecting our Nation and our cherished freedoms. I am proud to partner with my colleague Assemblymember Rocky Chávez (R-Oceanside) on this important bipartisan measure.”

According to a 2012 survey of military families by the United States Department of Defense, the most common occupation amongst military spouses is teaching. More than 1 in 20 military spouses are teachers for children in the K-12 range. More than 1 in 100 military spouses are post-secondary teachers. The ability of military spouses to find work remains a real issue, as the unemployment rate for military spouses was 23%, according to a 2016 survey by the Department of Defense.

“I come from a family of veterans, and my mother is a teacher. So I understand that military families are required to frequently move from state to state based on their loved ones’ deployments. The different credentialing requirements imposed by each state for teachers often provide unnecessary barriers to military spouses getting jobs. AB 226 will expedite the process for military spouses in California for receiving their teaching credentials in order to help them find meaningful and rewarding work as teachers.”

AB 226 will next be heard by the Assembly Appropriations Committee. More information about the bill can be found here.

Sabrina Cervantes represents the 60th District of the California State Assembly, which encompasses the communities of Corona, Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Norco, and a portion of the City of Riverside.