A bill (AB 833) to expand California’s teacher exchange program with Mexico has been passed by the state’s Assembly and Senate Appropriations Committee in response to the shortage of Spanish-speaking teachers in the California public school system. AB 833 unanimously passed both of the Assembly Committee votes and passed the Assembly 77–1 with one member abstaining. Assemblyman Alvarez wrote the bill because of a major shortage of Spanish-language teachers in California. While many are needed to help migrant children learn English, many more are needed to help fulfill California’s bilingual education goals. “AB 833 is a vital step toward addressing California’s bilingual teacher shortage while strengthening educational ties with Mexico,” said Alvarez earlier this year.