BILL NUMBER: AB 722	CHAPTERED  09/05/01

	CHAPTER  250
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  SEPTEMBER 5, 2001
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  SEPTEMBER 5, 2001
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 20, 2001
	PASSED THE SENATE  JULY 19, 2001
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JULY 3, 2001
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 31, 2001
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 17, 2001

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Corbett
   (Coauthors:  Assembly Members Aroner, Firebaugh, Florez, Liu,
Pavley, and Strom-Martin)
   (Coauthor:  Senator Kuehl)

                        FEBRUARY 22, 2001

   An act to add and repeal Section 49605 of the Education Code,
relating to educational counseling, and making an appropriation
therefor.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 722, Corbett.  Educational counseling.
   Existing law authorizes the governing board of any school district
to provide a comprehensive educational counseling program for all
pupils enrolled in the schools of the district.
   This bill would require the State Department of Education to
conduct a study of pupil support, defined to include school
counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers, in the
schools, as specified.  The bill would require the State Department
of Education to report the results of the study to the Governor and
the Legislature by January 1, 2003.  The bill would appropriate
$125,000 from the General Fund to the State Department of Education
to conduct the study.
   Appropriation:  yes.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Section 49605 is added to the Education Code, to read:

   49605.  (a) For the purposes of this section, "pupil support" is
defined to include school counselors, school psychologists, and
school social workers.
   (b) The State Department of Education, in consultation with
interested parties, as determined by the Superintendent of Public
Instruction, shall conduct a study that accomplishes, but is not
limited to, all of the following:
   (1) Determine the proper ratios of pupil-to-school counselors,
pupil-to-school psychologists, and pupil-to-school social workers
necessary at a school to maintain adequate pupil support services.
   (2) Examine the varying and unique needs for pupil support
services in the individual school districts of the state.
   (3) Determine the causes of difficulties in attracting and
retaining credentialed pupil support personnel to work in the
schools.
   (4) Examine the design and implementation of effective pupil
support services and programs.
   (5) Examine the assessment of quality and pupil outcomes of the
pupil support services provided in schools.
   (6) Examine the correlation between a lower pupil-to-pupil support
personnel ratio and a pupil's well-being, ability to learn, and
academic achievement.
   (7) Examine the use of credentialed pupil support personnel and
the use of contracted pupil support personnel.
   (c) The State Department of Education shall report the results of
the study to the Governor and the Legislature by January 1, 2003.
   (d) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1,
2003, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted
statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2003, deletes or extends
that date.
  SEC. 2.  The sum of one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars
($125,000) is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the State
Department of Education for purposes of conducting the study required
by Section 1 of this act.