59050-59054
EDUCATION CODE
SECTION 59050-59054
59050. Notwithstanding Sections 59051, 59052, 59053, and 59054, the California School for the Deaf may not use the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) or an alternative test selected by the American Sign Language Competency Evaluation Committee of the California School for the Deaf for the purposes specified in this article unless it is first determined that the test is a valid and reliable test for employment purposes. 59051. During the 2004-05, 2005-06, and 2006-07 school years, for purposes of hiring a certificated individual to instruct deaf pupils, preference shall first be given to a candidate who achieves a minimum score of 4 on the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) or an equivalent score on an alternate test selected by the American Sign Language Competency Evaluation Committee of the California School for the Deaf that assesses American Sign Language linguistic competency. 59052. (a) Commencing with the 2004-05 school year, an individual may not be hired as a certificated employee to instruct deaf pupils unless the individual achieves a minimum score of 2.5 on the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) or an equivalent score on an alternate test selected by the American Sign Language Competency Evaluation Committee of the California School for the Deaf that assesses American Sign Language linguistic competency. (b) Commencing with the 2005-06 school year, an individual may not be hired as a certificated employee to instruct deaf pupils unless the individual achieves a minimum score of 3 on the ASLPI or an equivalent score on an alternate test, as described in subdivision (a). (c) Commencing with the 2006-07 school year, an individual may not be hired as a certificated employee to instruct deaf pupils unless the individual achieves a minimum score of 3.5 on the ASLPI or an equivalent score on an alternate test, as described in subdivision (a). (d) The minimum score requirements specified in subdivisions (a) to (c), inclusive, may be waived by the superintendent of the school if he or she certifies that no candidate who meets those requirements and all other selection criteria has applied to instruct deaf pupils and open positions remain. 59053. (a) Commencing with the 2004-05 school year, and every three years thereafter, a certificated employee who instructs deaf pupils and who has not achieved a minimum score of 4 on the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) or an equivalent score on an alternate test selected by the American Sign Language Competency Evaluation Committee of the California School for the Deaf that assesses American Sign Language linguistic competency, shall retake one of those assessments. (b) A certificated employee who instructs deaf pupils and who does not achieve a minimum score of 4 on the ASLPI or an equivalent score on an alternate test, as described in subdivision (a), may not be subject to discipline. The certificated employee shall be encouraged to study until that score is achieved. (c) Any fee imposed to take the ASLPI or an alternate test, as described in subdivision (a), shall be paid by the certificated employee. If the certificated employee receives a minimum score of 4 on the ASLPI or an equivalent score on the alternate test, the California School for the Deaf shall reimburse the certificated employee for that fee. 59054. (a) For purposes of hiring an individual to serve as a substitute teacher, preference shall be given as follows: (1) First, to a candidate who achieves a minimum score of 4 on the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) or an equivalent score on an alternate test selected by the American Sign Language Competency Evaluation Committee of the California School for the Deaf that assesses American Sign Language linguistic competency. (2) Second, to a candidate who achieves a minimum score of 3 on the ASLPI or an equivalent score on an alternate test, as described in paragraph (1). (3) Third, to a candidate who achieves a minimum score of 2.5 on the ASLPI or an equivalent score on an alternate test, as described in paragraph (1). (b) Except as provided in subdivision (c), a candidate who fails to achieve a score of at least 2.5 on the ASLPI or who fails to achieve an equivalent score on an alternate test, as described in paragraph (1), may not be hired as a substitute teacher. (c) The superintendent of the school may waive the requirements of subdivision (b) if no candidate for the substitute teacher position has achieved the minimum score required by subdivision (b) and there is an immediate need to fill an open position.