BILL ANALYSIS
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Gloria Romero, Chair
2009-2010 Regular Session
BILL NO: SB 1444
AUTHOR: Hancock
INTRODUCED: February 19, 2010
FISCAL COMM: No HEARING DATE: April 21, 2010
URGENCY: No CONSULTANT:Beth Graybill
SUBJECT : Pupil instruction: Science, technology,
engineering and mathematics
education.
SUMMARY
This bill defines science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics (STEM) education as courses or a sequence of
courses that prepare pupils for occupations and careers that
require technically sophisticated skills as specified.
BACKGROUND
Existing law establishes requirements for courses of study in
grades 1 through 12 and requires the adopted courses of study
for grades 1-6 and grades 7-12 to offer courses in specified
areas of study including science and mathematics. (Education
Code 51200 et. seq.)
Existing law requires courses in certain career technical
education (CTE) programs, such as Regional Occupational
Centers and Programs (ROC/Ps), to be part of occupational
course sequences that target comprehensive skills. (EC
52302)
ANALYSIS
This bill :
1) Defines STEM education to mean courses or a sequence of
courses that prepare pupils for occupations and careers
that require technically sophisticated skills, including
the application of mathematical and scientific skills
and concepts and specifies:
a) In grades 1-6 inclusive, STEM education
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includes foundational courses in mathematics,
science, and technology that lead to success in
challenging and applied classes in grades 7-12.
b) In grades 7-12 inclusive, STEM education
includes rigorous and challenging courses that
include the application of science, mathematics,
and technology. Further specifies that STEM
education in high school includes courses and
pathways for pupils to explore and prepare for
careers and occupations in STEM fields.
STAFF COMMENTS
1) Need for the bill : In recent years, numerous groups
have noted that the ability of the United States and
California to fully and successfully compete in the
global economy will require workers skilled in STEM
fields. Yet as the author notes, various studies have
found that American students do not receive the academic
preparation and encouragement necessary to attain the
prerequisite math and science skills needed to pursue
careers in STEM fields. Recent studies have also
suggested that strengthening STEM education could
encourage more women and students of color to pursue
careers in STEM fields. According to the author, there
is a demonstrated deficiency in the number of high
school graduates with competency in math, science,
and/or technology, and a growing gap between workforce
needs and qualified college/postbaccalaureate
applicants. By defining STEM education in statute, the
author hopes SB 1444 will provide a framework for
structuring future STEM curriculum and course sequences.
2) Federal focus on STEM education : In 2007, the National
Academies of Sciences published a report titled "Rising
Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing
America for a Brighter Economic Future" that contained a
number of findings and recommendations for bolstering
U.S. competitiveness and pre-eminence in the global
science and technology marketplace. Among the
recommendations was the need to strengthen K-12 science
and mathematics education, both as a way to strengthen
skills needed by employers, but also to encourage more
students to pursue occupations and careers in STEM
fields. The federal America COMPETES Act of 2007, which
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was a legislative response to the recommendations
contained in the report, focused on three primary areas:
1) increasing research investment, 2) strengthening
educational opportunities in science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics from elementary through
graduate school, and 3) developing an innovation
infrastructure.
As Congress prepares to take up the reauthorization of the
America COMPETES Act, the House Committee on Science and
Technology recently held an informational hearing on
STEM education in which witnesses stressed the need to
continue its efforts to strengthen K-12 STEM education
and emphasized the importance of involving school
systems, institutions of higher education, informal
science education centers, science-based institutions,
museums, local governments, and the business community
to help all students increase STEM literacy skills.
Given the federal focus on STEM education, SB 1444 could
enable California to have a definition "on the books"
that enhance the state's ability participate in grant
programs that may be established with the
reauthorization of the federal America COMPETES or the
Elementary and Secondary Education Acts. At the same
time, could creating a statutory definition limit, in
some yet unknown way, a school district's ability to
provide STEM courses that do not prepare students for
occupations or careers in STEM fields?
3) Related and prior legislation .
SB 956 (Romero) establishes a program to
enable teachers affected by a reduction in force to
meet subject matter competency requirements to
become authorized to teach STEM subjects. This
bill passed this Committee on a 5-2 vote.
SUPPORT
Aspiranet
Bayer Health Care
California Healthcare Institute
Small School Districts' Association
OPPOSITION
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None received.