BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Alan Lowenthal, Chair
2011-2012 Regular Session
BILL NO: AB 224
AUTHOR: Bonilla
AMENDED: May 27, 2011
FISCAL COMM: Yes HEARING DATE: June 29, 2011
URGENCY: No CONSULTANT: Lynn Lorber
SUBJECT : Academic Performance Index.
SUMMARY
This bill modifies the indicators that contribute to the Academic
Performance Index (API) and requires the Superintendent of Public
Instruction, beginning in the 2012-13 fiscal year, to create a new
API for grades 8-12.
BACKGROUND
The indicators currently used to determine API scores are:
1) Results of test scores, including the California Standards
Tests and the high school exit exam.
2) Attendance rates.
3) Graduation rates of high school pupils.
Test results account for at least 60% of the value of the API.
(Education Code § 52052)
The advisory committee established by the Superintendent of Public
Instruction (SPI) to among other things develop the API, is required
to report by January 1, 2011, on adding indicators to API, and by
July 1, 2013, report on using growth model. (EC § 52052.5)
Schools are currently required to contain specific information in
the school accountability report card, including the percentage of
pupils who have passed course requirements for entrance to the
University of California and the California State University, the
number of advanced placement courses offered, and the percentage of
pupils to complete a career technical education program and earn a
high school diploma. (EC § 33126)
AB 224
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ANALYSIS
This bill modifies the indicators that contribute to the Academic
Performance Index (API) and requires the Superintendent of Public
Instruction, beginning in the 2012-13 fiscal year, to create a new
API for grades 8-12. Specifically, this:
1) Deletes attendance rates as a component of the API.
2) Deletes the requirement that test results constitute at least
60% of the value of the API.
3) Deletes the requirement that the SPI determine the extent to
which graduation rates and attendance data are already
collected and if that data is accurate before including those
indicators in the API.
4) Requires the SPI, beginning in the 2012-13 fiscal year and in
consultation with the State Board of Education, to incorporate
(in addition to test scores) the following indicators into the
API for schools serving any of grades 8-12 (using the best
available data):
a) High school graduation rates.
b) Rates by which pupils complete a course of
study that fulfills the admission requirements for the
University of California and California State University.
c) Rates by which pupils complete a course of
study necessary to attain entry-level employment upon
graduation from high school. The SPI is to use one or
more of the following to determine this rate:
i) Satisfactory completion of a
designated career and technical education course or
series of courses that meet the career technical
education content standards.
ii) The number or percentage of pupils who earn
a certificate, license, or the equivalent in the
designated occupation for which it is issued.
iii) The scores of pupils on valid and reliable
assessments, including portfolio assessments, that
are designed to assess the degree to which pupils
have acquired the skills and knowledge necessary to
be successful in a specific occupation or in the
general workforce.
AB 224
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iv) Workforce outcomes for pupils graduating
from high school may include, but are not limited to,
employment rates and earnings.
5) Requires the API advisory committee to provide recommendations
for the implementation of new API, and develop recommendations
for the inclusion of multiple measures in the API of middle and
junior high schools.
STAFF COMMENTS
1) Purpose of the bill . According to the author, "AB 224
demonstrates the importance of A-G and Career and Technical
Education courses and the value both have in preparing students
for both college and career. The purpose of this bill is to
expand and incorporate multiple measures into the API to allow
for accurate measuring of school district and student academic
performance. We must move away from focusing exclusively on
standardized test results and high school exit exams, which do
not reveal information about student outcomes, such as
dropout/graduation rates or college/workforce readiness."
2) Timing . This bill requires the Superintendent of Public
Instruction to incorporate additional indicators into the API
for grades 8-12 beginning in the 2012-13 fiscal year. It is
unclear how long this process will take, and therefore, when
school districts will be required to submit the additional data
to the state.
3) Availability of data . This bill requires the new API for
secondary schools to include indicators such as the earning of
certificates or licenses, the acquisition of skills necessary
for specific occupations, and workforce outcomes. Much of this
data is not currently collected by schools, is likely very
difficult to collect, and is generally not within the scope or
control of the K-12 education system. Will this lead to
situations where schools that are able to provide this
information will be held accountable for that data while
schools without the data won't be accountable for those
indicators?
4) Weight of indicators . The bill deletes requirement that test
scores constitute 60% of API and does not contain any
AB 224
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specificity with regard to the weight of each indicator that
compromises the API.
5) Graduation rates . Though inclusion of graduation rates in the
API is current law, authority was provided to the SPI to
determine when data on graduation rates would be included in
the API; at this point in time, test scores remain as the only
data on which the API is based. The practical effect of this
bill is to make the inclusion of a currently required component
of the API time certain.
6) Related legislation . SB 547 (Steinberg) reduces the value of
test scores in the API, and requires the API to include
measures of preparedness for postsecondary education and the
workforce. Staff understands that SB 547 is likely to be
amended to encompass a broader array of issues related to the
API. SB 547 is scheduled to be heard in the Assembly Education
Committee on July 6, 2011.
AB 532 (V. Manuel Perez) beginning July 1, 2012, modifies the
state's assessment and accountability system as it pertains to
English learner students. AB 532 is scheduled to be heard in
this Committee on June 29, 2011.
SUPPORT
California Association of Leaders for Career Preparation
California Association of Regional Occupational Centers and Programs
California Manufacturers & Technology Association
Get REAL
OPPOSITION
None on file.