BILL ANALYSIS Ó
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 1123|
|Office of Senate Floor Analyses | |
|(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) | |
|327-4478 | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
CONSENT
Bill No: SB 1123
Author: Leyva (D)
Introduced:2/17/16
Vote: 21
SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE: 8-0, 3/30/16
AYES: Liu, Block, Huff, Leyva, Mendoza, Monning, Pan, Vidak
NO VOTE RECORDED: Hancock
SUBJECT: Pupil instruction: high school graduation
requirements
SOURCE: Author
DIGEST: This bill extends the sunset on the option for students
to fulfill a high school graduation requirement by successfully
completing a career technical education course for an additional
five years.
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
1)Requires a pupil to pass both the English language arts and
mathematics portions of the California High School Exit Exam
and complete the following courses as a condition of
graduating from high school:
a) Three years of English.
b) Two years of mathematics, one year of which must be
Algebra I.
SB 1123
Page 2
c) Two years of science, including biological and physical
sciences.
d) Three years of social studies, including United States
history and geography; world history, culture, and
geography; one semester of American government and civics,
and one semester of economics.
e) One year of visual or performing arts, foreign language,
or until July 1, 2017, career technical education.
f) Two years of physical education. (Education Code §
60851, § 51225.3, and § 51224.5)
2)Authorizes school districts to impose additional coursework
requirements as a condition of graduation from high school.
(EC § 51225.3)
3)Defines "a course in career technical education" as a course
in a district-operated career technical education program that
is aligned to the career technical model curriculum standards
and framework adopted by the State Board of Education,
including courses through a regional occupational center or
program operated by a county superintendent of schools or
pursuant to a joint powers agreement. (EC § 51225.3)
4)Provides that a school or school district that currently does
not offer career technical education courses are not required
to start new career technical education programs. (EC §
51225.3)
5)Requires the governing board of a school district or county
office of education that elects to allow a career technical
education course to satisfy a graduation requirement, before
offering that alternative to students, to notify parents,
teachers, students, and the public at a regularly scheduled
meeting of the all of the following:
a) The intent to offer career technical education courses
to fulfill a graduation requirement.
SB 1123
Page 3
b) The impact that offering career technical education
courses will have on the availability of courses that meet
the eligibility requirements for admission to the
California State University and the University of
California, and whether the career technical education
courses to be offered are approved to satisfy those
eligibility requirements.
c) The distinction, if any, between the high school
graduation requirements of the school district or county
office of education, and the eligibility requirements for
admission to the California State University or the
University of California. (EC § 51225.3)
This bill extends the sunset on the option for students to
fulfill a high school graduation requirement by successfully
completing a career technical education course, from July 1,
2017, to July 1, 2022.
Comments
Pending report. Existing law requires the California Department
of Education to submit a comprehensive report to the
Legislature, by July 1, 2017, on the addition of career
technical education courses to satisfy a graduation requirement,
including specified information.
The pending report should provide the information necessary to
determine how the career technical education graduation option
was utilized, how it affected enrollment in visual and
performing arts courses, how it affected eligibility for the
California State University and the University of California,
and ultimately if this option should continue. This bill
extends the sunset on the career technical education graduation
requirement option to allow time for the report to be completed
and contemplated prior to either extending this option
indefinitely or eliminating it completely.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal
Com.:NoLocal: No
SB 1123
Page 4
SUPPORT: (Verified3/30/16)
Association of California School Administrators
California Business Education Association
California Federation of Teachers
OPPOSITION: (Verified3/30/16)
None received
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to the California Federation
of Teachers, "In 2011, legislation was passed to offer students
the opportunity to take a career technical education (CTE)
course to fulfill the existing visual performing arts or foreign
language high school graduation requirement. The law has
allowed students to gain practical skills and valuable work
experience through CTE courses. Additionally, CTE's
practicality and hands-on instructional methods have proven to
keep students engaged in their academics and prepare them for
career success."
Prepared by:Lynn Lorber / ED. / (916) 651-4105
3/31/16 15:46:04
**** END ****