If you want to learn about the employment and disciplinary histories of hair stylists or nurses, no problem. But, try looking for the same information about California teachers and its likely unavailable.The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) is the agency responsible for issuing teachers' licenses and, when necessary, revoking or suspending them.The CTC maintains a website which promises, "immediate access to credential and discipline information" about teachers. However, a KCRA 3 investigation found the information available publicly is difficult to access and often unreliable in creating a clear picture of a teacher's history.KCRA 3 used the CTC's "Search for an Educator" function to check the records of three teachers who were all charged in the past 18 months with physically mistreating students. All three show clear and valid teaching credentials."It absolutely makes no sense for any parent to go through this," parent Duane Beecham said.According to a Roseville Police report, his daughter is one of three children allegedly "hit and slapped" by their special needs teacher at Kaseberg Elementary between August and November 2013. Former teacher Theresa Vanwagner pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of "disturbing the peace.” She was sentenced earlier this month to three years of probation."It's child abuse and it's against a special needs child that potentially can't speak up for themselves," mother Kimberly Beecham said.Former Rocklin special needs teacher Sherry McDaniel is currently facing 14 counts of child cruelty, abuse and neglect. And, former Stockton teacher Denny Peterson pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery after video surfaced showing him trying to drag a student to a swimming pool."Just plain ridiculous," said Duane Beecham when told there was no notation of the crimes or arrests in the teachers' public records available through the CTC website.Nothing in the record indicates previous convictions, pending charges or current investigations."I just don't understand how someone like that could still have their teaching license," Beecham added.It's not just parents who are concerned."This should be a priority for the commission in how it thinks about the work that it does," said Bill Lucia, President of the education advocacy group EdVoice.He feels the commission should make more information about teacher misconduct available to the public.Californians can go on the Department of Consumer Affairs website and see who in professions such as nursing, dentistry and cosmetology has been cited for violations. Specific accusations made by state regulators are also available for viewing. But, don't expect to find the same kind of information on the CTC's website."It does beg the question of, what is the CTC doing?” Lucia said.KCRA 3 Investigates tried repeatedly to get the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to speak on camera or in person, but they wouldn't do it. The agency did respond by email -- spokesperson Joshua Speaks wrote:"The law is very specific about how and when the CTC can make information about specific teacher misconduct cases available. The law prevents the CTC from posting information about ongoing cases."Serious sex and drug charges call for a credential to be stripped immediately. But, in other criminal cases, such as physical abuse, the commission doesn't open an investigation until there's a conviction.That process can drag on. The CTC investigates an average of 783 offenses against children each year. Once an investigation does begin, it can take years before any action is taken against a credential.In the meantime, a credential remains valid and spotless.The Commission on Teacher Credentialing said state law clearly spells out the rules for investigating misconduct and what information can be made public.KCRA 3 Investigates reached out to Sacramento State Sen. Richard Pan and Assem. Kevin McCarty, both on state education committees – both declined KCRA’s requests to comment on the story.