BILL ANALYSIS Ó ------------------------------------------------------------ |SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | AB 1304| |Office of Senate Floor Analyses | | |1020 N Street, Suite 524 | | |(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) | | |327-4478 | | ------------------------------------------------------------ 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 AB 1304 Page 2 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 AB 1304 Page 3 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. AB 1304 Page 4 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. AB 1304 Page 5 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 AB 1304 Page 6 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 AB 1304 Page 7 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 AB 1304 Page 8 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, AB 1304 Page 9 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 **** END ****