(a) Unless the commission determines that substantial evidence exists that a person is unqualified to teach, upon the completion of successful service as a district intern pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 44325, and upon the recommendation of the school district governing board, the commission shall award preliminary credentials to district interns in the same manner as applicants recommended for credentials by institutions that operate approved programs of professional preparation.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 44225, paragraphs (3) to (6), inclusive, of subdivision (b) of Section 44259, paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 44259, and Sections 44261, 44265, and 44335, upon recommendation by the governing board, district interns shall be issued preliminary credentials, upon the completion of successful service as a teacher pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 44325, unless the governing board recommends, and the commission finds substantial evidence, that the person is not qualified to teach. Pursuant to Article 11 (commencing with Section 44380), teachers participating in an induction program pursuant to Article 4.5 (commencing with Section 44279.1) are no longer eligible for funding under the district intern program.

(c) Notwithstanding Section 44261, the preliminary credential awarded to a district intern holding a district intern credential to teach bilingual education classes shall be a basic teaching credential with a bilingual-crosscultural language and academic development emphasis. Notwithstanding Section 44265, the preliminary credential awarded to a district intern who holds a district intern credential to teach special education pupils shall be a special education specialist instruction credential that authorizes the holder to teach special education pupils.

(d) It is the intent of the Legislature that institutions of higher education that operate approved programs of professional preparation work cooperatively with school districts that offer district intern programs for a special education specialist credential to apply the regular education coursework and fieldwork from the special education district intern program toward earning a multiple or single subject teaching credential through the institution.

(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 427, Sec. 12. (AB 525) Effective January 1, 2020.)