BILL ANALYSIS Ķ AB 1987 Page 1 Date of Hearing: March 28, 2012 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION Julia Brownley, Chair AB 1987 (Davis) - As Introduced: February 23, 2012 SUBJECT : Pupil instruction: independent study: leadership course SUMMARY : Includes, within the educational opportunities that may be offered through independent study, a leadership course approved by a statewide or national community service agency that is designed to improve the character and leadership traits of a pupil. EXISTING LAW : 1)Authorizes the governing board of a school district or a county office of education to offer independent study to meet the educational needs of pupils. 2)Specifies that educational opportunities offered through independent study may include, but shall not be limited to, the following: a) Special assignments extending the content of regular courses of instruction; b) Individualized study in a particular area of interest or in a subject not currently available in the regular school curriculum; c) Individualized alternative education designed to teach the knowledge and skills of the core curriculum. Independent study shall not be provided as an alternative curriculum; d) Continuing and special study during travel; and, e) Volunteer community service activities that support and strengthen pupil achievement. 3)Prohibits courses included among the courses required for high school graduation from being offered exclusively through independent study. AB 1987 Page 2 4)Requires the independent study by each pupil or student be coordinated, evaluated, and under the general supervision of an employee of the school district or county office of education who possesses a valid certification document, as specified. 5)Provides that independent study agreements cannot be longer than one semester in duration and requires the agreement to include the beginning and ending dates of the independent study. FISCAL EFFECT : This bill is keyed non-fiscal. COMMENTS : Independent study is an alternative instructional strategy, not an alternative curriculum that offers a level of flexibility to meet individual student needs, interests, and styles of learning. Independent study is available as a voluntary option, and current law requires prior to the commencement of independent study, a written agreement be signed by the pupil, his or her parent, guardian, or caregiver, the supervising teacher and any other individual having direct responsibility for providing assistance to the pupil. The agreement outlines the instructional plan for the pupil and the supervision that is to be provided for that pupil to complete the work outlined in the agreement. This bill allows leadership courses approved by a statewide or national community service agency that are designed to improve the character and leadership traits of a pupil, to be part of independent study educational opportunities. Existing statutes do not explicitly list specific courses that can be offered through independent study. Current independent study statute is very broad and general to encompass individualized study, special assignment or alternative education. The opportunities that can be made available to pupils are not limited to the general guidelines specified in statute, and as long as those educational opportunities are part of the independent study agreement and are coordinated, evaluated, and under the supervision of the school district or county office, there is a level of flexibility in this regard. To list and specify all the courses that may be offered through independent study may not be prudent nor desirable, as there would be the potential of excluding some courses and thereby AB 1987 Page 3 creating ambiguity as to whether courses that are not listed can be provided. It is unclear as to what courses this bill refers to or what process is envisioned to approve such courses. The appropriateness of having community service and non-education organizations approve educational courses is also questionable. The author provides information about the CalServe Initiative which funds partnerships of local educational agencies to support service-learning in kindergarten and grades 1-12, inclusive. The author notes that service-learning is an instructional strategy that actively involves youth in academic programs through community service. Students learn through participation in thoughtfully organized service that meets community needs, fosters civic responsibility, enhances the students' academic achievement, and provides structured time for students to reflect on the service experience. The information about CalServe does not contain information about leadership courses approved by the organization and the connection between community service organizations and leadership courses is not clearly established. The author states, "AB 1987 would require California's public schools K-12 make available, through independent study, an option to choose a leadership development course designed to improve the character and leadership traits of pupils who voluntarily seek such a course of study. This course must be approved by a statewide or national community service agency." Suggested amendment : If the author's intent is to state that leadership activities may be part of the educational opportunities offered through independent study, staff recommends an amendment to delete the language in lines 13-15 on page 2; and instead insert "and leadership" after "service" on page 2 line 11. REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION : Support Association of California School Administrators Opposition None on file. AB 1987 Page 4 Analysis Prepared by : Marisol Aviņa / ED. / (916) 319-2087