Ed. Code, § 44254 · Article 4. Credential Types

Ed. Code, § 44254

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Text — As published in the Legislative Counsel's database, tables dated October 18, 2026 (pubinfo_2025.zip)

(a) The commission shall establish standards for a restricted reading certificate to enable holders of a teaching credential to provide the early development of reading and language arts skills and the early correction of a pupil’s reading difficulties.

(b) (1) The standards and qualifications for the restricted reading certificate shall include demonstrated knowledge of both of the following:

(A) Current and confirmed research in teaching basic reading skills that train the candidate for the restricted reading certificate in ongoing, diagnostic techniques that inform teaching and assessment.

(B) Teaching techniques for basic reading skills that include direct instruction in phonemic awareness, systematic, explicit phonics, and comprehension skills.

(2) The candidate shall also demonstrate knowledge of early intervention techniques, and shall receive guided practice with all of the aforementioned skills within a clinical setting. For the purposes of this section, “direct, systematic, explicit phonics” means spelling patterns, direct instruction in the relationships among sounds and symbols, and practice in connected, decodable text.

(c) The commission shall be authorized to issue a restricted reading certificate to holders of a teaching credential who meet the commission’s standards.

Notes and commentary — not statutory text

History

Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1067, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 1997. See similar Section 44254 (added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1068), as amended by Stats. 1997, Ch. 17.

Another version listed by the Legislative Counsel

Amended (as added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1068) by Stats. 1997, Ch. 17, Sec. 28. Effective January 1, 1998.

(a) The commission shall establish standards for a restricted reading certificate to enable holders of a teaching credential to provide the early and continuing development of reading and language arts skills and the earliest possible correction of a pupil’s reading difficulties.

(b) The standards and qualifications for the restricted reading certificate shall include, but not be limited to, demonstrated knowledge of the following:

(1) Current and confirmed research in the teaching of basic reading skills, including research in ongoing, diagnostic techniques that inform teaching and assessment.

(2) Techniques for teaching basic reading skills that include direct instruction in phonemic awareness, direct systematic, explicit phonics, and comprehension skills.

(3) Early intervention techniques.

(c) A candidate for a restricted reading certificate shall receive, within a clinical setting, guided practice in all of the skills described in subdivision (b).

(d) The commission may issue a restricted reading certificate to a holder of a teaching credential who meets the commission’s standards.

(e) For purposes of this section, “direct systematic, explicit phonics” means spelling patterns, the direct instruction of sound and symbol relationships, and practice in reading connected, decodable text.

History (another version listed by the Legislative Counsel)

Amended (as added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1068) by Stats. 1997, Ch. 17, Sec. 28. Effective January 1, 1998.

Source of truth

Edition: As published in the Legislative Counsel's database, tables dated October 18, 2026 (pubinfo_2025.zip)
Official file: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EDC&sectionNum=44254.
Text hash: sha256 0c27c0619bcb1cc060bcbe0a416bb0ff256d7c6c2a9081bf606e6aa6e37ec1fd
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the Legislative Counsel lists 2 versions of this section; the version shown is the one in force by its history, the other is under "Another version listed by the Legislative Counsel" (current)

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