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STATE CAFITOL
P.O. BOX 942849
SAGHAMENTO, CA 94249.0137
flslifrrnia Segislufurs CHlEF CONEULTANT
CAMERON VALDENFAMA

(916) 31S.3300 COMMITTEE gECFETARY

FAX (916) 3ts-2382 KATAFIINA TARFI

JOINT LEGISLATTVE AUDIT CSMMITTf,E

,RICARDO IJ-RA, CHAIR
May 17.2011

Honorable Jerry Brown, Governot

State of California
srate capitoi, suite 1173
Sacramento, CA 95814

Dear Govemor Brorryn:

Last week. ths Joint Legislative Audit Committee held and informatior'ral hearing to review State
Auditor Elaine Howle's receiltly released report on the Commission or: Teacher Credentialing
(Commission). Regretfully, the report revealed several serious conceil^H that warrant immediate
action.

According to the Commission, the major purpose of the agency is to scrwe as a state standards
board for educator preparation for the public sshools of California. the;licensing and
credentialing of professional educators in the State, the enforcement CIliprofessional practices of
educators, and the discipline of credential holders in the State of Califc.rnia. In implementing its
role, the Commission is required to issue teasher oredentials and revok$ credentials when a
teacher has engaged in misconduct that tlreatens the safety and well-b,.ring of Califomia's school
childrer.

State Auditor Howle's report found that the Cornmission has been grot Ely mismanaged with
little regard for the security of children or teachers. Specifically, it has.had an ongoing backlog
of around 5,000 cases to review since 2005. These cases of misconduc,i range from distributing
pornography to students to kidnapping and rape. Over the years, the C'rmmission's management
has done nothing to address the backlog and has even lied about its exi';tence.

Furthermore, according to the audit findings the majoriry of the Commission's stafffears
retaliation. The roport forrnd that 43Yo of the employees fear retaliatio:, and 40% believe that
familial relationships threaten hiring practioes and promotions. Out of approximately one
hrurdred and sixty Commission employees, at least twenty-four are relt.ted or were at one time
related. The management at the Commission has allowed it beoome a ,ort of fratemity, whioh
has led to its oomplete dysfrrnotion,

At this time, immediate action is nccessary to restore trust with the put,tic and ensure that the
Commission is operating in the best interest of teachers and children. I request that you consider
your appointments to the Commission. Specifically, I re quest the dism issai of the Chair of the
Commission, Ting Sur, and staffmanagement - Dale Janssen, the Exe;utive Director, and Ms.

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Fined w Baovdcd Peoet

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Mary Armstrong, Director of the Division of Professional Practices. '-heir leadership has
contributed to the mynad of problems afld theatens the safety of our r,uost vulnerabli our
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school ehildren.

Thflflk you for your consideratiou ofthis request. For mote informatit.n or to disouss this issue,
pleare feel free to contact me at (916) 319,3300, I look forward to wc'rking with you to restore
trust and efficiency at the Credentialing.

CARDO LARA, Chair

Joint Legislative Audit Committee
Assembly Member, 50u District