California’s Teacher Misconduct Disciplinary System: How to Report Your Story

KQED has partnered with ProPublica to investigate how California addresses allegations of teacher misconduct. The state’s Commission on Teacher Credentialing provides limited public details about disciplinary cases, leaving communities largely unaware of outcomes.

Through interviews with former commission members, students, and a review of records, our investigation uncovered dozens of cases where teachers accused of sexual misconduct retained their licenses despite findings of wrongdoing.

We believe there are additional systemic issues that require deeper examination. To ensure comprehensive reporting, we need your help to gather firsthand accounts from all perspectives—including students, parents, teachers, administrators, commission members, and others with relevant insights.

How to Share Your Story

Your experiences are critical to shaping our investigation. You can contribute by:

• Filling out a brief form.
• Contacting KQED reporter Holly McDede via Signal at hollymcdede.68 or email at [email protected].

We prioritize your privacy. If we wish to publish any part of your story, we will contact you first for permission. Responses may take several weeks or months to review, and while we cannot follow up with everyone, every submission will inform our reporting.

With your consent, we may also share your response with partner newsrooms that are investigating similar issues.

Important Resources

As journalists, we document issues but cannot provide legal advice or direct support. If you or someone you know needs assistance, consider these resources:

• National Sexual Assault Hotline: Call 800-656-4673, text “hope” to 64673, or visit rainn.org.
• National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.
• The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ youth support): Call 866-488-7386, text 678678, or visit thetrevorproject.org.

For cases outside California, contact ProPublica engagement reporter Asia Fields.