BILL NUMBER: AB 790 CHAPTERED
BILL TEXT
CHAPTER 616
FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE OCTOBER 8, 2011
APPROVED BY GOVERNOR OCTOBER 8, 2011
PASSED THE SENATE SEPTEMBER 6, 2011
PASSED THE ASSEMBLY SEPTEMBER 7, 2011
AMENDED IN SENATE JULY 6, 2011
AMENDED IN SENATE JUNE 21, 2011
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MAY 27, 2011
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MAY 4, 2011
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 31, 2011
INTRODUCED BY Assembly Members Furutani and Carter
FEBRUARY 17, 2011
An act to amend Section 52372.5 of, and to add and repeal Section
52372.7 of, the Education Code, relating to career technical
education.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 790, Furutani. Career technical education: Linked Learning
Pilot Program.
Existing law requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to
develop, in conjunction with specified persons and entities, a report
that explores the feasibility of expanding and establishing career
multiple pathway programs, as defined, in California.
This bill, commencing with the 2012-13 school year, would
establish the Linked Learning Pilot Program to be administered by the
State Department of Education according to specified requirements
for the purpose of implementing districtwide linked learning
programs, as defined, in all participating school districts. The bill
would authorize a school district that maintains any of grades 9 to
12, inclusive, to apply to the Superintendent to operate a pilot
program. The bill would require the department to review these
applications and would authorize the Superintendent to initially
approve no more than 20 applications. The bill would require that, if
funds become available for purposes of the pilot program, the
Superintendent allocate these funds on a competitive basis, based on
the applications submitted. The bill would require the Superintendent
to transmit a report to the Legislature and the Governor by
September 30, 2016, that makes specified evaluations and
recommendations.
The bill would make these provisions inoperative on July 1, 2017,
and would repeal them as of January 1, 2018.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
(a) California is at a critical crossroads in terms of the
challenges it faces in reforming its public high school system.
(b) California is facing an unprecedented state funding gap and
will face continued fiscal problems in the future if it does not
produce an educated and career-ready workforce.
(c) California must lead efforts to improve graduation rates,
close achievement and opportunity gaps, and prepare all pupils for
success in pursuing both living-wage careers and a variety of
postsecondary learning experiences.
(d) California must embrace new, innovative approaches to
educational transformation that are likely to lead to high successful
outcomes for our pupils, families, communities, and local and state
economies.
(e) California operates a variety of effective career technical
education training programs that meet local needs and that continue
to evolve the options to meet economic demand.
(f) The linked learning approach is one of the most promising high
school transformational strategies and can be expanded to play a
pivotal role in enabling all of our pupils to be well prepared for
life and workforce demands in a 21st century global economy and
society.
SEC. 2. Section 52372.5 of the Education Code is amended to read:
52372.5. (a) For purposes of this section, a "linked learning
program" is a program that is all of the following:
(1) A multiyear, comprehensive high school program of integrated
academic and technical study that is organized around a broad theme,
interest area, or industry sector, including, but not necessarily
limited to, the industry sectors identified in the model standards
adopted by the state board pursuant to Section 51226.
(2) A program that ensures that all pupils have curriculum choices
that will prepare them for career entry and a full range of
postsecondary options, including two- and four-year college,
apprenticeship, and formal employment training.
(3) A program that is comprised, at a minimum, of the following
components:
(A) An integrated core curriculum that meets the eligibility
requirements for admission to the University of California and the
California State University and is delivered through project-based
learning and other engaging instructional strategies that
intentionally bring real-world context and relevance to the
curriculum where broad themes, interest areas, and career technical
education are emphasized.
(B) An integrated technical core of a sequence of at least four
related courses, that may reflect career technical education
standards-based courses, that provide pupils with career skills, that
are aligned to and underscore academic principles, and to the extent
possible fulfill the academic core requirements listed in
subparagraph (A).
(C) A series of work-based learning opportunities that begin with
mentoring and job shadowing and evolve into intensive internships,
school-based enterprises, or virtual apprenticeships.
(D) Support services, including supplemental instruction in
reading and mathematics, that help pupils master the advanced
academic and technical content that is necessary for success in
college and career.
(b) The Superintendent, in conjunction with the Office of the
Secretary for Education, the California Community Colleges, the
University of California, the California State University, the
Employment Development Department, both houses of the California
Legislature, teachers, chamber organizations, industry
representatives, research centers, parents, school administrators,
representatives of regional occupational centers and programs,
community-based organizations, labor organizations, and others deemed
appropriate by the Superintendent, shall develop a report that
explores the feasibility of establishing and expanding additional
linked learning programs in California, including the costs and
merits associated with expansion of these programs. Linked learning
programs created for high schools may include, but are not limited
to, California partnership academies, regional occupational centers
and programs, charter schools, academies, small learning communities,
and other career-themed small schools.
(c) The report described in subdivision (b) shall do all of the
following:
(1) Identify regulations, policies, and practices that need to be
added, deleted, or amended in order to promote the development and
expansion of linked learning programs.
(2) Set forth a reasonable timeline for the development and
expansion of linked learning programs.
(3) Include at least all of the following components:
(A) Assessment of the current capacity of the department for the
purpose of maximizing the development of these programs.
(B) Identifying the possible roles and responsibilities of other
departments or agencies to assist in developing or expanding linked
learning programs.
(C) An assessment of the appropriateness of school districts
fulfilling the requirements set forth in subdivisions (a) and (b) of
Section 51228 by developing industry-focused linked learning
programs, including those described in this section.
(D) Methods for developing and sharing models of integrated
curriculum and instruction.
(E) Strategies for increasing the course options and instructional
time for pupils in high school.
(F) Plans for increasing opportunities for high-quality learning
based on real-world applications in industry and careers.
(G) Methods for improving alignment of curriculum between middle
schools and high schools with career instruction, exploration, and
counseling for middle school pupils.
(H) Methods for improving coordination and articulation between
high schools and postsecondary institutions, including, but not
limited to, California Community Colleges, the California State
University, and the University of California.
(I) Recommendations for increasing the supply of teachers who can
teach effectively in a linked learning setting that aims to prepare
pupils for a full range of postsecondary options. Necessary
specialized skills include, but are not limited to, the abilities to
design interdisciplinary projects and use project-based learning as
an instructional strategy, work with other teachers in a
team-teaching arrangement, develop curriculum that effectively
integrates academic and technical content, design and utilize
high-quality work-based learning to reinforce lessons in both
academic and technical courses, and develop authentic pupil
assessments.
(J) Recommendations for increasing the supply of schoolsite and
district administrators who can effectively create and manage schools
that are implementing one or more industry-focused linked learning
programs. Necessary specialized skills include, but are not limited
to, the abilities to develop and sustain partnerships with industry
partners, recruit and retain uniquely qualified teachers, guide
development of integrated curriculum, understand needs for and
provide teacher professional development, guide development of
comprehensive guidance systems that integrate college advising and
career counseling, guide development of a coordinated and sequenced
work-based learning component, and utilize data to assess pupil
readiness for college and career.
(K) Recommendations for supporting regional coalitions in planning
and developing programs.
(L) Evaluation of current linked learning programs, including
partnership academies, regional occupational centers or programs and
postsecondary linked learning programs, including middle colleges and
early college models.
(M) Recommendations for increasing and improving in-school support
services.
(N) Recommendations for incorporating new measures into the state'
s accountability system to better assess the results of these linked
learning programs.
(O) Assessment of the budgetary implications of offering all
pupils access to these linked learning programs.
(d) For purposes of completing the report described in subdivision
(b), the Superintendent is authorized to use existing state
resources and federal funds. If state or federal funds are not
available or sufficient, the Superintendent may apply for and accept
grants and receive donations, and other financial support from public
or private sources for purposes of this section.
(e) In developing the report, the Superintendent may accept
support including, but not necessarily limited to, financial and
technical support, from high school reform advocates, teachers,
chamber organizations, industry representatives, research centers,
parents, and pupils.
(f) The Superintendent shall report to the Legislature as to the
status of completing the report and any preliminary recommendations
no later than July 1, 2009.
(g) The Superintendent shall submit a final report with
recommendations to the Legislature and the Governor no later than
December 1, 2009.
SEC. 3. Section 52372.7 is added to the Education Code, to read:
52372.7. (a) Commencing with the 2012-13 school year, the Linked
Learning Pilot Program is hereby established for the purpose of
implementing districtwide linked learning programs, as defined in
subdivision (a) of Section 52372.5, in all participating school
districts.
(b) The pilot program shall be administered by the department and
shall contain all of the following requirements:
(1) Each participating school district shall incorporate
small-sized schools and smaller groupings of pupils within new and
existing high schools.
(2) Rigorous linked learning programs shall be implemented that
guide pupils through course sequences leading to mastery of
standards, high school graduation, and transition to postsecondary
education or employment. These programs shall include career
technical education courses as defined by the California State Plan
for Career Technical Education.
(3) Policies and agreements shall be adopted by participating
school districts that promote concurrent enrollment and dual credit
with community colleges and universities.
(4) Problem-based instructional methodologies, inquiry learning
approaches, and applied learning strategies shall be adopted within
all subject areas.
(5) Pupil progress through high school shall be determined by
mastery of grade-level standards-based performance benchmarks
developed by the participating school district.
(6) Linked learning programs shall be implemented by participating
school districts within the district's existing state and local
resources.
(7) Participating school districts shall involve local business,
labor, parent, and community partners to advise the district on the
development, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of the pilot
program.
(c) (1) A school district that maintains any of grades 9 to 12,
inclusive, may apply to the Superintendent to operate a Linked
Learning Pilot Program in accordance with this section. The
department shall review these applications and the Superintendent may
initially approve no more than 20 applications.
(2) (A) Each applicant school district shall demonstrate its plans
to implement the components of a linked learning program, as defined
in subdivision (a) of Section 52372.5. Consideration shall be given
to factors related to the geographic diversity, type, and size of a
school district, and the extent to which a school district's pilot
program would receive financial and in-kind support from the business
and civic community or funding from government or foundation grants.
(B) If funds become available for the pilot program, the
Superintendent shall allocate these funds on a competitive basis to
applicant school districts based on the applications submitted
pursuant to paragraph (1).
(d) (1) On or before September 30, 2016, the Superintendent shall
transmit a report to the Legislature and the Governor that documents
an evaluation that includes both of the following:
(A) The costs and merits of the pilot program, including pupil
outcome data that includes, but is not limited to, pupil dropout and
graduation rates, the number and percentage of participating pupils
who meet the requirements and prerequisites for admission to
California public institutions of postsecondary education, and
workforce outcome data, which may include the number or percentage of
pupils who earn a certificate, license, or the equivalent in a
designated occupation.
(B) The Superintendent's recommendations regarding the need for
additional statutory changes to facilitate the statewide expansion of
the Linked Learning Pilot Program.
(2) A report submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be
submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
(e) The Superintendent may develop regulations necessary to
implement the provisions of this section.
(f) The Superintendent shall use existing state and federal
resources to implement the provisions of this section.
(g) This section shall become inoperative on July 1, 2017, and, as
of January 1, 2018, is repealed, unless a later enacted statute,
that becomes operative on or before January 1, 2018, deletes or
extends the dates on which it becomes inoperative and is repealed.