BILL ANALYSIS Ó
HR 14
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Date of Hearing: May 11, 2011
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Julia Brownley, Chair
HR 14 (John A. Pérez) - As Introduced: May 4, 2011
SUBJECT : The Day of the Teacher.
SUMMARY : Proclaims May 11, 2011 as the Day of the Teacher.
Specifically, this bill :
1)Makes findings that:
a) An educated citizenry serves as the very foundation of
our democracy.
b) The prosperity of our state and nation depends upon the
success of the next generation.
c) Our pupils depend upon educators to guide them on the
path to success.
d) Good teaching grows in value and pays dividends far
beyond the classroom.
e) No other profession touches as many people with such a
lasting effect.
f) California's teachers are among the best-educated, most
highly qualified, and hardest-working educators in the
country.
g) The theme of the 29th annual California Day of the
Teacher is "Great Teaching Lasts a Lifetime."
2)Resolves that the Assembly of the State of California
proclaims that May 11, 2011 is the Day of the Teacher.
3)Resolves that the Assembly hereby urges all Californians to
observe the Day of the Teacher by taking the time to remember
and honor all individuals who give the gift of knowledge
through teaching.
4)Resolves that the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies
of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
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EXISTING LAW :
1)Designates a number of days as days having special
significance, when public schools are encouraged to observe
and conduct suitable commemorative exercises, as specified.
These days include the Day of the Teacher, John Muir Day,
California Poppy Day, Harvey Milk Day, and Welcome Home
Vietnam Veterans Day.
2)Requires public schools to close on or for specified holidays,
including, January 1, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Lincoln
Day, Washington Day, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Veterans
Day, Thanksgiving Day, December 25, all days appointed by the
Governor or the President for a public fast, thanksgiving or
holiday, and any other day designated as a holiday by the
governing board of the school district; also requires, for
some of these specified holidays, schools to conduct exercises
or instruction that focus students on the purpose of that
holiday.
3)Authorizes public schools to close on or for specified
holidays, if the governing board pursuant to an agreement
under collective bargaining agrees, that include Cesar Chavez
Day and Native American Day; also authorizes schools to
conduct exercises or instruction that focus students on the
purpose of these holidays.
4)Requires public schools to remain open, but to celebrate
specified holidays with appropriate commemorative exercises;
these days include the anniversary of the adoption of the
Constitution of the United States, the birthday of Luther
Burbank, Susan B. Anthony Day, and the anniversary of the
death of Crispus Attucks (Black American Day).
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown
COMMENTS : This resolution proclaims May 11, 2011 the Day of the
Teacher. Existing law also designates the second Wednesday in
May as the Day of the Teacher in public schools, a day having
special significance. A day having special significance in
school does not result in additional average daily attendance or
funding for a school district, nor does it result in an
additional holiday or day of school closure. The designation of
a day of special significance simply triggers statutory
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encouragement for public schools to observe the day and to
conduct exercises commemorating and directing attention to
teachers and the teaching profession; however, the decision as
to whether to observe any day of significance or to conduct
suitable commemorative exercises is left to the local district.
This resolution proclaims May 11, 2011 to be the Day of the
Teacher which will coincide with the existing Day of the Teacher
celebrations in schools across the state.
According to Teachers First, "Primary school teaching is the
single most important profession in the world. Teachers pass on
knowledge and values to children, prepare them for further
education and for working life and are main contributors to good
education?.Teachers are one of the main pillars of a sound and
progressive society. They bear the weight and responsibility of
teaching, and, apart from parents, are the main source of
knowledge and values for children."
According to President Obama, in his State of the Union Address,
"In South Korea, teachers are known as 'nation builders.'" "Here
in America, it's time we treated the people who educate our
children with the same level of respect." The President went on
to say, "To every young person listening tonight who's
contemplating their career choice: If you want to make a
difference in the life of our nation; if you want to make a
difference in the life of a child - become a teacher. Your
country needs you."
According to the Center for the Future of Teaching and Learning,
"We are sure that California students won't meet the standards
that have been set for them if we don't support their teachers
with highly effective professional development and working
conditions that allow them to succeed.
The ultimate understatement may be to say these are tough times
in California. There are no easy answers, and too few resources
to invest in our students and the adults who teach them.
But invest we must or soon risk facing the same circumstances
that placed our most vulnerable students a decade ago in schools
with the least prepared and experienced teachers.
We recommend that state and local policymakers...
1)Establish an equitable, adequate and simplified K-12 school
funding formula that provides for the continuous improvement
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of teaching and learning.
2)Stop the erosion of California's teacher development system to
ensure every student benefits from quality teaching.
3)Immediately restore the statewide student (CALPADS) and
educator (CALTIDES) data systems.
4)Provide a well-prepared, effective and caring teacher for each
and every student."
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
None on file.
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by : Chelsea Kelley / ED. / (916) 319-2087