(a) A teacher who does not hold a specialist credential to teach pupils with mild to moderate disabilities in a special day class setting may teach in a special day class setting that consists of pupils with mild to moderate disabilities if the teacher consents to the assignment and meets all of the following conditions:

(1) The teacher has been teaching in a special day class setting for a minimum of 10 years, as of January 1, 2000.

(2) The teacher holds one of the following:

(A) A services credential with a specialization in clinical or rehabilitative services with special class authorization.

(B) A Standard Teaching Credential with the Minor - Speech and Hearing Handicapped.

(C) A Restricted Special Education Credential - Speech and Hearing Therapy.

(D) A Limited Specialized Preparation Credential - Speech and Hearing Handicapped.

(E) A Special Secondary Credential - Correction of Speech Defects.

(F) An Exceptional Children Credential - Speech Correction and Lip Reading.

(3) Concurrently with the teaching assignment, the teacher annually completes 6 units or the equivalent thereof of professional development in core subjects.

(4) The teacher passes the reading instruction competence assessment administered by the commission pursuant to Section 44283 within one year of the beginning of the school year. Passage of the assessment shall be considered evidence of the teacher’s competence in reading instruction.

(b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2005, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2005, deletes or extends that date.

(Added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 109, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2001.)