BILL ANALYSIS
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Gloria Romero, Chair
2009-2010 Regular Session
BILL NO: SB 1256
AUTHOR: Hancock
INTRODUCED: February 19, 2010
FISCAL COMM: No HEARING DATE: March 24, 2010
URGENCY: No CONSULTANT:Beth Graybill
SUBJECT : Ed Roberts Day
SUMMARY
This bill designates January 23 of each year as Ed Roberts Day,
and calls for the day to be observed by the public schools as a
day of special significance. The bill also requires the
Governor to annually proclaim January 23 as Ed Roberts Day.
BACKGROUND
Existing law designates a number of days as days having special
significance, when public schools are encouraged, but not
required, to conduct suitable commemorative exercises integrated
into regular school programs. Current law establishes the
following days as having special significance (Education Code
37222):
a) April 6 of each year as California Poppy Day.
b) April 21 of each year as John Muir Day.
c) The second Wednesday in May as the Day of the
Teacher.
d) May 22 of each year as Harvey Milk Day.
Existing law also requires the Governor to proclaim various days
to remember individuals. These days include September 28 as
Cabrillo Day; January 15 as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day;
March 31, as Cesar Chavez Day; and April 21 as John Muir Day.
(Government Code 6708, et seq.)
ANALYSIS
This bill :
1) Makes various findings and declarations concerning the life
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and contributions of Ed Roberts.
2) Designates January 23 of each year as Ed Roberts Day, to be
a
day having special significance when all public schools and
educational institutions are encouraged to conduct
exercises remembering the life of Ed Roberts, recognizing
his accomplishments as well as the accomplishments of other
Californians with disabilities, and familiarizing pupils
with the contributions that Ed Roberts and other
Californians with disabilities have made to the state.
3) Requires the Governor to annually proclaim January 23 as Ed
Roberts Day.
STAFF COMMENTS
1) Need for the bill : Ed Roberts (1939 - 1995) was an
international leader and educator in the independent living
and disability rights movement. He was the first severely
disabled student to attend UC Berkeley and helped create
the first student-led disability services program in the
country. Ed Roberts advocated for the rights of
individuals with disabilities to fully participate in
society and served as the Director of the California
Department of Rehabilitation from
1975 - 1983. Although legislation is not necessary for
schools to recognize individuals like Mr. Roberts, the
author hopes this bill will encourage schools to conduct
commemorative exercises to recognize Mr. Robert's
accomplishments and raise awareness of issues faced by
individuals with disabilities.
2) Related and prior legislation :
SB 572 (Leno, Chapter 626, Statutes of 2009)
designated May 22 of
each year as a special day of significance for
remembering the life and contributions of Harvey Milk.
SB 572 was heard and approved by this committee on a
7-2 vote on May 6, 2009.
SB 944 (Runner), designates February 6 of each
year
as Ronald Reagan Day and establishes that day as a
special day of significance in the public schools.
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3) Recognition criteria . This bill, along with SB 944, raises
a question about whether there should be a broader policy
discussion about the criteria and process for determining
special days of significance in the public schools.
Notwithstanding the meritorious accomplishments of Mr.
Roberts, should other noteworthy Californians, such as the
51 inductees of the California Hall of Fame, be similarly
recognized? To avoid the potential proliferation of
special recognition days, should the Legislature establish
specific criteria for who or what is recognized? Should
the process for approving special days of significance in
the public schools be delegated to the State Board of
Education who might review proposals for consistency with
the state's academic content standards and curriculum
frameworks?
SUPPORT
California Foundation for Independent Living Centers
Center for Independent Living
Developmental Disabilities Board Area 5
University of California Berkeley Disabled Students' Union
University of California, Berkeley Disabled Students' Program
World Institute on Disability
OPPOSITION
None received.