BILL NUMBER: SB 381	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 16, 2009

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Wright
    (   Coauthor:   Senator   Wyland
  ) 

                        FEBRUARY 26, 2009

   An act to amend Sections 51224 and 51225.3 of the Education Code,
relating to high school instruction.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 381, as amended, Wright. High school instruction: course of
study.
   Existing law prescribes the course of study a pupil is required to
complete while in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, in order to receive a
diploma of graduation. Existing law authorizes the governing board of
a school district to adopt rules specifying additional coursework
requirements.
   This bill would prohibit a school district from adopting a
graduation requirement that requires the completion of additional
coursework to meet or exceed the requirements and prerequisites for
admission to the California public institutions of postsecondary
education unless the district also adopts an  alternative
  additional  graduation requirement that requires
the completion of an equal amount of coursework to attain entry-level
employment skills in business or industry upon graduation from high
school. The bill also would make conforming changes.
   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.  Section 51224 of the Education Code is amended to read:

   51224.  The governing board of any school district maintaining a
high school shall prescribe courses of study designed to provide
every pupil with the opportunity to be prepared to enter the world of
work with sufficient marketable skills and knowledge for legitimate
remunerative employment, as described in Section 51004. The governing
board shall prescribe separate courses of study, including, but not
limited to, a course of study designed to prepare prospective pupils
for admission to state colleges and universities and a course of
study for career technical training.
  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.
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.
   (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, except as provided in subdivision (c).
   (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.
   (c) In order to maintain a balance of course offerings for all
pupils pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 51228, a
school district shall not adopt a graduation requirement pursuant to
paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) that requires the completion of
additional coursework to meet or exceed the requirements and
prerequisites for admission to the California public institutions of
postsecondary education unless the district also adopts an 
alternative   additional  graduation requirement
that requires the completion of an equal amount of coursework to
attain entry-level employment skills in business or industry upon
graduation from high school.