A Teacher Was Fired for Sexually Harassing Students. Why Did California Let Him Continue Teaching?

California’s teacher credentialing system frequently fails to protect students by allowing educators terminated for sexual harassment to remain in the classroom. Investigative reporting into the case of Jason Agan, a former high school teacher fired for inappropriate physical contact with students, reveals deep systemic flaws. Despite a formal dismissal, Agan retained his teaching license for years, enabling him to secure employment at two subsequent schools. The state’s Commission on Teacher Credentialing often takes hundreds of days to resolve misconduct cases, and its disciplinary decisions remain opaque, preventing districts from effectively vetting applicants. This lack of transparency extends to at least 67 other documented instances where teachers maintained their professional standing despite findings of sexual misconduct. Without legislative reform to mandate stricter revocation standards and public disclosure, the current process leaves students vulnerable to repeat offenders.