(a) The Legislature finds that the state’s teaching crisis requires immediate and targeted action that also increases diversity among classroom teachers.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 69617, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing may determine that a private postsecondary educational institution is a qualifying institution for purposes of the program established pursuant to Section 69617, if the institution meets all of the following criteria:

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(1) The institution offers a professional preparation program approved by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing as of January 1, 2023.

(2) The institution was originally chartered and is currently operating as a nonprofit entity that offers services exclusively online to California residents.

(3) The institution is either accredited by the Senior Colleges and Universities Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges or is regionally accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education.

(4) The institution participates in the federal Pell Grant program (20 U.S.C. § 1070a), and in at least two of the following federal student aid programs:

(A) Federal Work-Study Program (20 U.S.C. § 1087-51).

(B) Federal Stafford Loan Program.

(C) Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program (20 U.S.C. § 1070b).

(5) The institution has a federal student loan cohort default rate below 10 percent.

(6) The institution reports the degree to which enrolled students participating in this program complete the program and become licensed to teach in California within 24 months, and the average time to program completion.

(7) The institution has an established labor union student chapter that provides a pathway to union membership to students upon graduation.

(8) (A)  It is the intent of the Legislature that the institution is in compliance with any applicable provisions of the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009 (Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 94800) of Part 59 of Division 10).

(B) If the institution has no physical presence in California, the institution shall contract with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education to respond to California resident student complaints pursuant to Section 94874.9.

(c) The requirements described in subdivision (b) shall be demonstrated in a manner to be determined by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, which may include consultation with the State Board of Education.

(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 195, Sec. 3. (SB 142) Effective September 13, 2023.)