(a) Commencing on September 1, 1984, applicants for an initial regular children’s center instructional permit, and applicants for the renewal of an emergency children’s center permit or a limited service permit shall demonstrate proficiency in basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills by doing one of the following:

(1) Passing a proficiency test developed by a school district pursuant to either Section 45361.5 or 51216.

(2) Having met the requirements for an associate degree or baccalaureate degree.

(3) Passing the California Basic Education Skills Test.

(4) Passing a field-based assessment approved by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

(b) If a child care and development program teacher employed prior to September 1, 1984, in such a program receiving public funds does not demonstrate proficiency in basic skills pursuant to this section, he or she shall be given two years to master these basic skills without jeopardizing the renewal of his or her permit, and shall be given additional opportunities to be reassessed.

(c) Persons seeking compensation as a child care and development program teacher in such a program who have limited English-speaking ability may be granted an additional exemption to this requirement by the employing agency, for a period of up to one year, if the agency deems that the exemption is in the best interest of the children enrolled in the program. No person shall be exempted from these requirements for more than a total of three years.

(d) School districts receiving public funds to operate a child care and development program under direct contract with the State Department of Education and subject to regulations set forth in Title 5 of the California Administrative Code shall make available to persons seeking compensation for work as teachers in the program the test developed or administered pursuant to Section 45361.5 or 51216.

A school district may charge a fee to persons taking the test pursuant to the requirements of this section to fund the actual costs incurred by the district in giving the test.

(e) The State Department of Education shall make available an appropriate test meeting the requirements of this section to a person seeking compensation for work as a child care and development program teacher in such a center which is not administered by a school district. School districts shall assist the State Department of Education in fulfilling this requirement by making available to the department, upon request, the test developed or administered pursuant to Section 45361.5.

(f) The State Department of Education may charge a fee to persons taking the test pursuant to the requirements of this section to fund the actual costs incurred by the department in giving the test.

(Amended by Stats. 1984, Ch. 79, Sec. 4. Effective April 11, 1984.)