BILL NUMBER: SB 611	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Steinberg

                        FEBRUARY 17, 2011

   An act to add Section 66205.6 to the Education Code, relating to
instructional strategies.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 611, as introduced, Steinberg. Public postsecondary education:
the University of California.
   Existing law, the Donahoe Higher Education Act, sets forth the
missions and functions of California's public and independent
segments of higher education, and their respective institutions of
higher education. Provisions of the act apply to the University of
California only to the extent that the Regents of the University of
California, by appropriate resolution, act to make a provision
applicable. Existing law also requires the California State
University, and requests the University of California, to establish
model uniform academic standards, develop and implement a speedy
process whereby high schools may obtain approval of their courses as
satisfying specified admissions requirements, and develop a simple
procedure to evaluate career technical education courses, as
specified.
   This bill would request the Regents of the University of
California, subject to availability of funds in the annual Budget
Act, the availability of federal or private funds, or any combination
thereof, to establish and maintain the University of California
Curriculum Integration Institute (UCCII) to be administered by the
President of the University of California.
   The UCCII would facilitate statewide collaboration and innovation
in providing pupils with course content and experience within
priority industry sectors among those identified in the California
Career Technical Education Model Curriculum Standards as adopted by
the State Board of Education. The UCCII would also develop,
disseminate, and promote career-oriented, integrated academic and
technical education courses that meet course requirements for
admission to the University of California and the California State
University, and align with high-priority industry sectors among those
identified in the California Career Technical Education Model
Curriculum Standards as adopted by the state board.
   The President of the University of California, in consultation
with appropriate state entities, industry leaders, representatives of
organized labor, educators, and other parties, would determine the
priority among the industry sectors.
   The bill would make legislative declarations and findings.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (1) California's public systems of education have a significant
opportunity to contribute to the state's job growth and economic
recovery by aligning middle and high school curricula more closely to
the needs of growing and emerging sectors of the California economy.

   (2) Studies show that high schools that bring together strong
academics, demanding technical education, and real world experience
are more likely to engage pupils, raise high school graduation rates,
and better prepare pupils for lasting success in postsecondary
education and careers.
   (3) However, many California pupil now face educational challenges
that could impede their ability to be productive participants in the
state and national economy.
   (4) Nearly 100,000 California pupils dropped out of middle and
high school in the 2008-09 school year, a number equivalent in size
to the population of the City of San Mateo or Compton. Gainful
employment prospects for dropouts are shrinking, given the changing
nature of the California economy.
   (5) The Public Policy Institute of California projects that by
2025, two of every five jobs, 41 percent, will require a college
degree, an increase from less than one-third of all jobs in 2005.
Without increased degree production in the state's colleges and
universities, the growth of our emerging economy will be hindered by
a lack of highly educated workers.
   (6) Large majorities of California pupils surveyed say they would
be more motivated to work hard and do well if they attended schools
where they could take courses needed for college and at the same time
have the chance to acquire skills and knowledge relevant to future
careers.
   (7) A stronger and more integrated approach to learning -- one
that combines rigorous academics with career education -- can engage
and motivate pupils who are at risk of dropping out and can create
more options for them after high school, whether they choose college
or career. That type of approach can better prepare pupils for entry
directly into the workforce after high school, without compromising
academic goals and preparation for college.
   (8) Investments in delivering pupils the skills and knowledge
needed for further education and employment in California's
high-growth, high-demand industries are investments in the growth of
a knowledge-intensive, innovation economy.
   (b) The Legislature further finds and declares the following:
   (1) The University of California Curriculum Integration Institute
(UCCII) has begun developing coursework that can accelerate
significant and needed changes in the way California pupils learn in
the classroom, and can keep more pupils engaged in school through
applied learning opportunities that prepare them for college and
career.
   (2) The UCCII brings together high school teachers and experts
from across the state and nation to develop new, model courses that
provide pupils with rigorous academic content linked to real world
applications.
   (3) Administered by the University of California, the UCCII
connects kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive, educators with
faculty and instructors in a number of disciplines from the
University of California, the California State University, California
Community Colleges, private higher education institutions, and
statewide career technical education associations to develop high
school curriculum based on career-oriented, integrated academic and
technical education content. These newly designed, fully integrated,
"a-g" approved courses will serve to enhance pupil prospects for
postsecondary education and employment.
   (4) Through the UCCII, California has a significant opportunity to
leverage existing infrastructure to better align middle and high
school curricula more closely to the needs of growing and emerging
sectors of the California economy by providing teachers with supports
and tools necessary to design career-oriented, integrated academic,
and technical education content. In doing so, the UCCII can
contribute significantly to engaging and retaining at-risk pupils in
the early years of high school as well as contribute to job creation,
economic development, and sustained economic growth in California.
   (c) It is the intent of the Legislature to see rapid
implementation and scaling of the UCCII. Toward that end, it is the
intent of the Legislature, subject to availability of funds in the
annual Budget Act, the availability of federal or private funds, or
any combination thereof, that the UCCII:
   (1) Facilitate no less than 10 convenings annually.
   (2) Serve at least 500 educators each year.
   (3) By January 1, 2015, have developed no less than 250 courses.
  SEC. 2.  Section 66205.6 is added to the Education Code, to read:
   66205.6.  (a) Subject to availability of funds in the annual
Budget Act, the availability of federal or private funds, or any
combination thereof, the Regents of the University of California are
requested to establish and maintain the University of California
Curriculum Integration Institute (UCCII) to be administered by the
President of the University of California. The Institute shall
accomplish all of the following:
   (1) Facilitate statewide collaboration and innovation in providing
California pupils career-oriented, integrated academic and technical
education content in a manner that provides pupils with
opportunities to experience the application of subject matter content
within high-priority industry sectors among those identified in the
California Career Technical Education Model Curriculum Standards as
adopted by the state board.
   (2) Develop, disseminate, and promote career-oriented, integrated
academic and technical education courses that meet course
requirements for admission to the University of California and the
California State University, and align with high-priority industry
sectors among those identified in the California Career Technical
Education Model Curriculum Standards as adopted by the state board.
   (b) For purposes of subdivision (a), the President of the
University of California, in consultation with appropriate state
entities, industry leaders, representatives of organized labor,
educators, and other parties, shall determine the priority among the
industry sectors.
   (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Regents of the
University of California are requested to establish procedures and
forms to administer the institute only if the regents, by resolution,
make these provisions applicable.