BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | AB 1304|
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THIRD READING
Bill No: AB 1304
Author: Block (D)
Amended: 4/25/11 in Assembly
Vote: 21
SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE : 8-2, 7/6/11
AYES: Lowenthal, Alquist, Blakeslee, Hancock, Liu, Price,
Simitian, Vargas
NOES: Runner, Huff
NO VOTE RECORDED: Vacancy
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE : Senate Rule 28.8
ASSEMBLY FLOOR : 50-26, 5/31/11 - See last page for vote
SUBJECT : Career technical education: linked learning
SOURCE : Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
DIGEST : This bill defines linked learning programs and
authorizes the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to
convene a workgroup to develop standards for the issuance
of a recognition of study in linked learning for single
subject credential holders.
ANALYSIS : Existing law establishes the Commission on
Teacher Credentialing (Commission) and vests the Commission
with the power and duty to, among other things, establish
professional standards, assessments, and examinations for
entry and advancement in the education profession.
CONTINUED
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Existing law defines multiple pathway programs as
multiyear, comprehensive high school programs of integrated
academic and technical study that are organized around a
broad theme, interest area, or industry sector, and provide
curriculum choices that prepare participating pupils for a
range of postsecondary options, including two and four-year
colleges, apprenticeships, and formal employment training.
These programs are comprised, among other things, of an
integrated core curriculum that meets the eligibility
requirements for admission to the University of California
(UC) and the California State University (CSU) and is
delivered through project-based learning and other engaging
instructional strategies.
Existing law establishes the minimum requirements for
preliminary and clear teaching credentials for single
subjects and for designated subjects career technical
education.
Existing law establishes California Partnership Academies
(CPAs) for the purpose of providing academic and
occupational training to high school students in grades
10-12 inclusive who present a high risk of dropping out of
school. CPAs function as a school within a school and
provide career-themed educational programs that integrate
core academic content and technical education.
This bill:
1. Defines linked learning as programs and pathways as
described in Education Code Section 52372.5 and
specifies linked learning programs may include
California Partnership Academies.
2. Specifies that a "recognition of study in linked
learning" is a statement added to a single subject
teaching credential that the credential holder has
completed a commission-approved program in linked
learning teaching methods that can be applied to the
academic instruction authorized by his or her
credential. Specifies that a recognition of study in a
linked learning teacher preparation program may be part
of an initial teacher preparation program or a separate
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program for previously credentialed teachers.
3. Authorizes the Commission to convene a workgroup to
develop program standards for the issuance of a
recognition of study for linked learning competence for
holders of a single subject credential candidates who
will be teaching pupils enrolled in linked learning
programs. Requires the workgroup to include but not be
limited to representatives from:
A. The California Department of Education (CDE).
B. Commission-approved teacher preparation programs
from the CSU, UC, and independent institutions of
higher education.
C. The business community and local chambers of
commerce.
D. School districts, county offices of education, and
charter schools that have implemented linked learning
programs or other similar programs.
E. Regional occupational centers and programs.
F. Practicing career technical education teachers.
G. Other organizations deemed appropriate by the
Commission.
4. States the intent of the Legislature that a successful
candidate for a recognition of study in linked learning
demonstrate appropriate knowledge, as determined by the
Commission, based upon the recommendations of the
workgroup. Specifies that within the context of state
academic content standards, the knowledge may include,
but is not limited to:
A. How to develop and maintain industry and
postsecondary educational partnerships.
B. Ongoing professional learning.
C. Work-based learning strategies.
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D. Career exposure and development.
E. California Career Technical Education Model
Curriculum Standards adopted by the State Board of
Education (SBE).
5. Encourages the CSU and other teacher preparation
institutions to establish goals for increasing the
number of teachers prepared in linked learning programs.
6. Encourages Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment
programs to provide appropriate support, mentoring, and
assistance to beginning teachers who are teaching in
linked learning programs, including candidates who are
in externships.
7. Authorizes the Commission and the Superintendent of
Public Instruction (SPI) to gather and post on an
appropriate Internet Web site, best practices from
school districts and schools on curriculum development
and professional development relating to implementing
and sustaining multiple pathway programs.
8. Specifies that the holder of a single subject teaching
credential who receives a recognition of study in linked
learning is not authorized to teach subject matter
content or English learners unless he/she holds an
appropriate authorization or is employed on the basis of
a legal assignment option.
9. Specifies that any recognition of study in linked
learning shall not be considered a type of
authorization, shall not be used as a condition of
employment, shall not replace a subject matter
competence requirement, and shall not be used in making
layoff decisions, as specified.
10.Makes findings and declarations pertaining to the
benefits of preparing high school pupils for academic
and career choices and the benefits of hands-on
experiential learning to exemplify how academic
knowledge is used to solve real-world problems.
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Expresses the intent of the Legislature that academic
teachers and career technical education teachers
collaborate to provide linked learning educational
programs to pupils and that teacher credential
candidates have opportunities to learn pedagogical
strategies to ensure pupil success in linked learning
programs.
Comments
New name . Over the past few years, the California Center
for College and Career (ConnectEd), together with a
coalition of education, community organizations, and
industry have promoted the concept of multiple pathway
programs that connect academic learning with real-world
applications. These programs integrate academic
instruction with technical curriculum and work-based
learning within the context of industry sectors identified
in the model curriculum standards for career technical
education adopted by the SBE. AB 2648 (Bass), Chapter 681,
Statutes of 2008, established a statutory definition for
multiple pathway programs and required the SPI to report on
the feasibility of expanding the availability of these
programs in California high schools.
In 2009, ConnectEd, the Multiple Pathways Coalition, and
the James Irvine Foundation began discussing the need to
transition away from the term "multiple pathways" in order
to avoid confusion with programs with similar names that
provide alternative education routes for at-risk and
out-of-school youth. ConnectEd and the supporters of these
programs maintain that the name "Linked Learning" more
clearly conveys the attributes of an educational approach
that helps students link what they learn in the classroom
with real-world experiences and career preparation. This
bill specifies that linked learning and multiple pathway
programs mean the same thing.
According to ConnectEd, more than 140 organizations and
individuals have joined together to form the Linked
Learning Alliance, a statewide alliance of education,
industry, and community organizations dedicated to
improving California's high schools and preparing students
for postsecondary education and careers. The Alliance
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includes the CDE, the CSU, UC, the Chancellor's Office of
the California Community Colleges, the California
Postsecondary Education Commission, and the California
Student Aid Commission. The group also includes business
and trade organizations, community and advocacy
organizations, education organizations, and associations
and public agencies such as school districts.
What is the potential value of the "recognition of study" ?
This bill does not authorize the establishment of a new
type of teaching credential, rather it allows for the
Commission to convene a workgroup and develop standards for
a recognition of study in linked learning that would be
issued as a statement on a teacher's credential indicating
the candidate completed a preparation program that focused
on linked learning and included student teaching
experiences in linked learning programs. Although
legislation is not necessary for the Commission to convene
a workgroup or adopt standards for preparation programs
that include an option to learn linked learning teaching
strategies, this bill signals the Legislature's interest in
ensuring that teachers who work in these programs will have
the necessary skills to create effective learning
opportunities for students.
Institutions of higher education and local education
agencies that offer single subject credential programs can
already establish a linked learning program without
approval of the Commission. In fact, at least eight
institutions, including San Diego State University and CSU
Long Beach have implemented or are in the process of
implementing cross-discipline teaching techniques into
their teacher preparation curriculum. By authorizing the
development of program standards, this bill could help
ensure greater uniformity across these programs and provide
guidance for institutions that want to develop preparation
programs that focus on linked learning. Once the standards
are adopted by the Commission, institutions will need to
have their programs approved by the Commission in order for
program completers to be issued the recognition of study in
linked learning.
Although the recognition of study statement would not be
required for employment and this bill specifically
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precludes school districts from using the recognition of
study statement in making employment decisions relating to
teacher layoffs, the recognition of study statement on a
teacher's credential could signal to prospective employers
that a teacher has received special, standardized training
in the teaching strategies used in linked learning
programs.
Related and Prior Legislation
This bill is similar to AB 1223 (Block), 2009-10 Session,
which would have also authorized the Commission to convene
a workgroup to develop standards for the issuance of a
recognition of study in linked learning. Passed the Senate
with a vote of 21-11 on August 23, 2010. The bill was
subsequently vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger with the
following veto message:
"This bill would authorize the Commission on Teacher
Credentialing (CTC) to convene a workgroup to develop
program standards for the purpose of establishing some
'recognition of study' for linked learning competence for
credentialed teachers. Nothing under current law
prohibits the CTC from convening any workgroup without
statutory authority. Therefore this bill is
unnecessary."
AB 790 (Furutani), 2011-12 Session, establishes the Linked
Learning Methodology Pilot Program to be administered by
the CDE for the purpose of implementing districtwide linked
learning programs in 20 school districts. (In Senate
Appropriations Committee)
FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes
Local: No
SUPPORT : (Verified 8/9/11)
Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce (source)
California Catholic Conference, Inc.
California State PTA
Commission on Teacher Credentialing
Los Angeles Unified School District
Metropolitan Education District
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San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce
San Diego Unified School District
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT : According to the author's office,
a growing number of schools offer coursework and programs
that integrate academic content and technical education
through project-based learning or through career-themed
academies. These programs often involve both academic
teachers and technical education teachers. While the
academic teachers who teach in these programs need to have
the same teaching skills and content knowledge as their
counterparts who teach traditional academic courses,
researchers have found they also need skills and knowledge
not commonly taught in a traditional credential program
such as knowledge and ability to collaborate in the design
and delivery of interdisciplinary, project-based
curriculum; knowledge and skill to create a curriculum that
centers on a business or industry sector; competency in
developing and maintaining partnerships with local industry
and postsecondary institutions; and the ability to
incorporate work-based learning into the curriculum. The
bill's sponsor, the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce,
hopes the recognition of study in linked learning will
increase the pool of teachers who will be successful
teaching in linked learning programs.
According to a 2009 report by the Center for the Future of
Teaching and Learning, high schools that are implementing
specific reform strategies need teachers with specific
pedagogical skills associated with the demands of that
strategy. The report noted "Despite strategic hiring
practices, many high schools - particularly those where
reforms are most urgently needed - struggle to attract and
retain teachers who have the knowledge and skills to
implement the schools' design principles."
ASSEMBLY FLOOR : 50-26, 5/31/11
AYES: Alejo, Allen, Ammiano, Atkins, Beall, Block,
Blumenfield, Bonilla, Bradford, Brownley, Buchanan,
Butler, Campos, Carter, Cedillo, Chesbro, Davis,
Dickinson, Eng, Feuer, Fong, Fuentes, Furutani, Galgiani,
Gatto, Gordon, Hall, Hayashi, Roger Hernández, Hill,
Huber, Hueso, Huffman, Lara, Bonnie Lowenthal, Ma,
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Mendoza, Mitchell, Monning, Pan, Perea, V. Manuel Pérez,
Portantino, Skinner, Solorio, Swanson, Torres, Williams,
Yamada, John A. Pérez
NOES: Achadjian, Bill Berryhill, Conway, Donnelly,
Fletcher, Beth Gaines, Garrick, Grove, Hagman, Halderman,
Harkey, Jeffries, Jones, Knight, Logue, Mansoor, Miller,
Morrell, Nestande, Nielsen, Norby, Olsen, Silva, Smyth,
Valadao, Wagner
NO VOTE RECORDED: Charles Calderon, Cook, Gorell,
Wieckowski
CPM:mw 8/9/11 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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