BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | AB 1987|
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CONSENT
Bill No: AB 1987
Author: Davis (D)
Amended: 4/10/12 in Assembly
Vote: 21
SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE : 9-0, 7/3/12
AYES: Lowenthal, Alquist, Blakeslee, Hancock, Huff, Liu,
Price, Simitian, Vargas
NO VOTE RECORDED: Runner, Vacancy
ASSEMBLY FLOOR : 77-0, 4/16/12 (Consent) - See last page
for vote
SUBJECT : Pupil instruction: independent study:
leadership course
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This bill adds that leadership opportunities may
be part of the educational opportunities offered through
independent study.
ANALYSIS : Existing law, related to independent study,
among other things:
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
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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. 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.
This bill adds that "leadership opportunities" may be part
of the educational opportunities offered through
independent study that support and strengthen pupil
achievement.
Comments
According to the author's office, this bill provides the
option to choose "leadership opportunities" which can be
designed to improve the character and leadership traits of
pupils while in independent study.
Independent study is an alternative instructional strategy
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
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pupil, his/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. As a
recognized alternative to regular classroom study, the
independent study option is expected to be equal or
superior in quality to classroom instruction.
According to the Senate Education Committee, they will
exercise its authority to require additional hearings and
analysis. As it stands, this bill expands on the
description of educational opportunities that may be
offered through independent study. Current independent
study statute is 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.
FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No
Local: No
ASSEMBLY FLOOR : 77-0, 4/16/12
AYES: Achadjian, Alejo, Allen, Ammiano, Atkins, Beall,
Bill Berryhill, Block, Blumenfield, Bonilla, Bradford,
Brownley, Buchanan, Butler, Charles Calderon, Campos,
Carter, Chesbro, Conway, Cook, Dickinson, Donnelly, Eng,
Feuer, Fletcher, Fong, Fuentes, Beth Gaines, Galgiani,
Garrick, Gatto, Gordon, Gorell, Grove, Hagman, Halderman,
Hall, Harkey, Hayashi, Roger Hernández, Hill, Huber,
Hueso, Huffman, Jeffries, Jones, Knight, Lara, Logue,
Bonnie Lowenthal, Ma, Mansoor, Mendoza, Miller, Mitchell,
Monning, Morrell, Nestande, Nielsen, Norby, Olsen, Pan,
Perea, V. Manuel Pérez, Portantino, Silva, Skinner,
Smyth, Solorio, Swanson, Torres, Valadao, Wagner,
Wieckowski, Williams, Yamada, John A. Pérez
NO VOTE RECORDED: Cedillo, Davis, Furutani
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PQ:d 7/5/12 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: NONE RECEIVED
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