BILL NUMBER: AB 2446	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Furutani

                        FEBRUARY 19, 2010

   An act to amend Section 51225.3 of the Education Code, relating to
graduation requirements.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2446, as introduced, Furutani. Graduation requirements.
   Existing law prohibits a pupil from receiving a diploma of
graduation from high school unless he or she completes specified
requirements, including, but not limited to, completing one course in
visual or performing arts or foreign language.
   This bill would, add completion of a course in career technical
education, as defined, as an alternative to the requirement that a
pupil complete a course in visual or performing arts or foreign
language.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


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

  SECTION 1.  (a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares the
following:
   (1) The foundational principle of the Education Code is that all
pupils shall have access to equitable educational opportunities and
resources.
   (2) The future of the state is dependent upon minimizing, if not
entirely alleviating, the inequities in our public schools so that
all pupils will have more equitable opportunities to learn skills
needed for entry into the workforce, to pursue postsecondary
educational goals, and to contribute to the social cohesion of the
state.
   (3) Current law specifies the courses a pupil must complete to
graduate from high school. However, too many pupils are dropping out
of high school or graduating without the necessary foundation to
succeed in the workplace or in postsecondary education.
   (b) It is the intent of the Legislature that:
   (1) By specifying the types of coursework that pupils must
complete in order to graduate, pupils will have world class skills
and the workforce of the state will be competitive in the global
economy.
   (2) Pupils will be prepared to meet the academic and technical
skills challenges of the high school curriculum and that they will
take advantage of the range of course options available to them.
   (3) In order to increase the rigor of the coursework and to ensure
that pupils are prepared to meet the demands of the 21st century,
the courses required for high school graduation must be aligned with
the standards and frameworks that are adopted by the state board.
  SEC. 2.  Section 51225.3 of the Education Code is amended to read:
   51225.3.  (a) Commencing with the 1988-89 school year, no pupil
shall receive a diploma of graduation from high school who, while in
grades 9 to 12, inclusive, has not completed all of the following:
   (1) At least the following numbers of courses in the subjects
specified, each course having a duration of one year, unless
otherwise specified.
   (A) Three courses in English.
   (B) Two courses in mathematics.
   (C) Two courses in science, including biological and physical
sciences.
   (D) Three courses in social studies, including United States
history and geography; world history, culture, and geography; a
one-semester course in American government and civics, and a
one-semester course in economics.
   (E) One course in visual or performing arts  or 
 ,  foreign language  , or career technical education
 .  For 
    (i)     For  the purposes of
satisfying the requirement specified in this subparagraph, a course
in American Sign Language shall be deemed a course in foreign
language. 
   (ii) For purposes of this subparagraph, "a course in career
technical education" means a course in a district-operated career
technical education program. 
   (F) Two courses in physical education, unless the pupil has been
exempted pursuant to the provisions of this code.
   (2) Other coursework as the governing board of the school district
may by rule specify.
   (b) The governing board, with the active involvement of parents,
administrators, teachers, and pupils, shall adopt alternative means
for pupils to complete the prescribed course of study which may
include practical demonstration of skills and competencies,
supervised work experience or other outside school experience, career
technical education classes offered in high schools, courses offered
by regional occupational centers or programs, interdisciplinary
study, independent study, and credit earned at a postsecondary
institution. Requirements for graduation and specified alternative
modes for completing the prescribed course of study shall be made
available to pupils, parents, and the public.