(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.