BILL NUMBER: SB 1103 INTRODUCED
BILL TEXT
INTRODUCED BY Senator Wright
FEBRUARY 16, 2012
An act to amend Sections 48980, 51225.3, and 51229 of the
Education Code, relating to career technical education.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 1103, as introduced, Wright. Career technical education: parent
notification: high school graduation requirements.
Existing law requires the governing board of a school district to
provide an annual notification with specified information, including
a complete list of career technical education courses offered by the
school district that satisfy the subject matter requirements for
admission to the California State University and the University of
California, to a parent or guardian of a minor pupil, as provided,
and requires a school district offering any of grades 9 to 12,
inclusive, to include, as part of that notice and among other things,
a brief description of what constitutes career technical education.
This bill would define "career technical education course" for
purposes of that notice, and would additionally require that the
notice contain a brief statement that most available jobs in the
labor market do not require a 4-year degree, accompanied by
references to specified labor statistics, a description of the
completion and tuition rates at the University of California and the
California State University, and a list of all career technical
education coursework offered by the school district. By imposing
these additional duties on the governing board of a school district,
this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
Existing law requires that, in order to receive a diploma of
graduation from high school, a pupil complete certain courses,
including, but not limited to, one course in visual or performing
arts, foreign language, or career technical education. Under existing
law, that provision does not require a school or school district
that does not currently offer career technical education courses to
start new career technical education programs.
This bill would clarify that the above-described provision does
not relieve a school or school district from the requirement that it
offer pupils in grades 7 to 12, inclusive, a course of study that
provides an opportunity for those pupils to attain entry-level
employment skills in business or industry upon graduation from high
school.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates
determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state,
reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these
statutory provisions.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: yes.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Section 48980 of the Education Code is amended to read:
48980. (a) At the beginning of the first semester or quarter of
the regular school term, the governing board of each school district
shall notify the parent or guardian of a minor pupil regarding the
right or responsibility of the parent or guardian under Sections
35291, 46014, 48205, 48207, 48208, 49403, 49423, 49451, 49472, and
51938 and Chapter 2.3 (commencing with Section 32255) of Part 19 of
Division 1 of Title 1.
(b) The notification also shall advise the parent or guardian of
the availability of individualized instruction as prescribed by
Section 48206.3, and of the program prescribed by Article 9
(commencing with Section 49510) of Chapter 9.
(c) The notification also shall advise the parents and guardians
of all pupils attending a school within the school district of the
schedule of minimum days and pupil-free staff development days, and
if minimum or pupil-free staff development days are scheduled
thereafter, the governing board of the district shall notify parents
and guardians of the affected pupils as early as possible, but not
later than one month before the scheduled minimum or pupil-free day.
(d) The notification also may advise the parent or guardian of the
importance of investing for future college or university
postsecondary education or vocational
training for their children and of considering appropriate
investment options, including, but not limited to, United States
savings bonds.
(e) The notification shall advise the parent or guardian of the
pupil that each pupil completing grade 12 is required to successfully
pass the high school exit examination administered pursuant to
Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 60850) of Part 33. The
notification shall include, at a minimum, the date of the examination
and the requirements for passing the examination, and shall inform
the parents and guardians regarding the consequences of not passing
the examination and shall inform parents and guardians that passing
the examination is a condition of graduation.
(f) Each school district that elects to provide a fingerprinting
program pursuant to Article 10 (commencing with Section 32390) of
Chapter 3 of Part 19 of Division 1 of Title 1 shall inform parents or
guardians of the program as specified in Section 32390.
(g) The notification also shall include a copy of the written
policy of the school district on sexual harassment established
pursuant to Section 231.5, as it relates to pupils.
(h) The notification shall advise the parent or guardian of all
existing statutory attendance options and local attendance options
available in the school district. This notification component shall
include all options for meeting residency requirements for school
attendance, programmatic options offered within the local attendance
areas, and any special programmatic options available on both an
interdistrict and intradistrict basis. This notification component
also shall include a description of all options, a description of the
procedure for application for alternative attendance areas or
programs, an application form from the district for requesting a
change of attendance, and a description of the appeals process
available, if any, for a parent or guardian denied a change of
attendance. The notification component also shall include an
explanation of the existing statutory attendance options, including,
but not limited to, those available under Section 35160.5, Chapter 5
(commencing with Section 46600) of Part 26, and subdivision (b) of
Section 48204. The department shall produce this portion of the
notification and shall distribute it to all school districts.
(i) It is the intent of the Legislature that the governing board
of each school district annually review the enrollment options
available to the pupils within its district and that the districts
strive to make available enrollment options that meet the diverse
needs, potential, and interests of the pupils of California.
(j) The notification shall advise the parent or guardian that a
pupil shall not have his or her grade reduced or lose academic credit
for any absence or absences excused pursuant to Section 48205 if
missed assignments and tests that can reasonably be provided are
satisfactorily completed within a reasonable period of time, and
shall include the full text of Section 48205.
(k) The notification shall advise the parent or guardian of the
availability of state funds to cover the costs of advanced placement
examination fees pursuant to Section 52244.
(l) The notification to the parent or guardian of a minor pupil
enrolled in any of grades 9 to 12, inclusive, also shall include the
information required pursuant to Section 51229 , and a list of
all coursework offered by the district and available to pupils
pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 51228 .
(m) If a school district elects to allow a career technical
education course to satisfy the requirement imposed by subparagraph
(E) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 51225.3, the
school district shall include, in the notification required pursuant
to this section, both all of the
following:
(1) Information about the high school graduation requirements of
the school district and how each requirement satisfies or does not
satisfy the subject matter requirements for admission to the
California State University and the University of California.
(2) A complete list of career technical education courses offered
by the school district that satisfy the subject matter requirements
for admission to the California State University and the University
of California, and which of the specific college admission
requirements these courses satisfy.
(3) A brief statement that a majority of jobs in the labor market
do not require a four-year degree and that there are many
postsecondary training and education opportunities available to
pupils in addition to colleges and universities that offer four-year
degree programs.
SEC. 2. Section 51225.3 of the Education Code, as amended by
Section 3 of Chapter 621 of the Statutes of 2011, is amended to read:
51225.3. (a) A pupil shall complete all of the following while in
grades 9 to 12, inclusive, in order to receive a diploma of
graduation from high school:
(1) At least the following numbers of courses in the subjects
specified, each course having a duration of one year, unless
otherwise specified:
(A) Three courses in English.
(B) Two courses in mathematics.
(C) Two courses in science, including biological and physical
sciences.
(D) Three courses in social studies, including United States
history and geography; world history, culture, and geography; a
one-semester course in American government and civics; and a
one-semester course in economics.
(E) One course in visual or performing arts, foreign language, or,
commencing with the 2012-13 school year, career technical education.
(i) For purposes of satisfying the requirement specified in this
subparagraph, a course in American Sign Language shall be deemed a
course in foreign language.
(ii) For purposes of this subparagraph, "a course in career
technical education" means a course in a district-operated career
technical education program that is aligned to the career technical
model curriculum standards and framework adopted by the state board,
including courses through a regional occupational center or program
operated by a county superintendent of schools or pursuant to a joint
powers agreement.
(iii) This subparagraph does not require a school or school
district that currently does not offer career technical education
courses to start new career technical education programs for purposes
of this section ; however, this does not relieve a school or
school district from its entry-level employment skills preparation
requirements pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 51228 .
(iv) If a school district or county office of education elects to
allow a career technical education course to satisfy the requirement
imposed by this subparagraph, the governing board of the school
district or county office of education, prior to
before offering that alternative to pupils, shall notify
parents, teachers, pupils, and the public at a regularly scheduled
meeting of the governing board of all of the following:
(I) The intent to offer career technical education courses to
fulfill the graduation requirement specified in this subparagraph.
(II) The impact that offering career technical education courses,
pursuant to this subparagraph, will have on the availability of
courses that meet the eligibility requirements for admission to the
California State University and the University of California, and
whether the career technical education courses to be offered pursuant
to this subparagraph are approved to satisfy those eligibility
requirements. If a school district elects to allow a career technical
education course to satisfy the requirement imposed by this
subparagraph, the school district shall comply with subdivision (m)
of Section 48980.
(III) The distinction, if any, between the high school graduation
requirements of the school district or county office of education,
and the eligibility requirements for admission to the California
State University and the University of California.
(F) Two courses in physical education, unless the pupil has been
exempted pursuant to the provisions of this code.
(2) Other coursework requirements adopted by the governing board
of the school district.
(b) The governing board, with the active involvement of parents,
administrators, teachers, and pupils, shall adopt alternative means
for pupils to complete the prescribed course of study that may
include practical demonstration of skills and competencies,
supervised work experience or other outside school experience, career
technical education classes offered in high schools, courses offered
by regional occupational centers or programs, interdisciplinary
study, independent study, and credit earned at a postsecondary
institution. Requirements for graduation and specified alternative
modes for completing the prescribed course of study shall be made
available to pupils, parents, and the public.
(c) Notwithstanding any other law, a school district shall exempt
a pupil in foster care from all coursework and other requirements
adopted by the governing board of the district that are in addition
to the statewide coursework requirements specified in this section if
the pupil, while he or she is in grade 11 or 12, transfers into the
district from another school district or between high schools within
the district, unless the district makes a finding that the pupil is
reasonably able to complete the additional requirements in time to
graduate from high school while he or she remains eligible for foster
care benefits pursuant to state law. A school district shall notify
a pupil in foster care who is granted an exemption pursuant to this
subdivision, and, as appropriate, the person holding the right to
make educational decisions for the pupil, if any of the requirements
that are waived will affect the pupil's ability to gain admission to
a postsecondary educational institution and shall provide information
about transfer opportunities available through the California
Community Colleges.
(d) On or before July 1, 2017, the department shall submit a
comprehensive report to the appropriate policy committees of the
Legislature on the addition of career technical education courses to
satisfy the requirement specified in subparagraph (E) of paragraph
(1) of subdivision (a), including, but not limited to, the following
information:
(1) A comparison of the pupil enrollment in career technical
education courses, foreign language courses, and visual and
performing arts courses for the 2005-06 to 2011-12 school years,
inclusive, to the pupil enrollment in career technical education
courses, foreign language courses, and visual and performing arts
courses for the 2012-13 to 2016-17 school years, inclusive.
(2) The reasons, reported by school districts, that pupils give
for choosing to enroll in a career technical education course to
satisfy the requirement specified in subparagraph (E) of paragraph
(1) of subdivision (a).
(3) The type and number of career technical education courses that
were conducted for the 2005-06 to 2011-12 school years, inclusive,
compared to the type and number of career technical education courses
that were conducted for the 2012-13 to 2016-17 school years,
inclusive.
(4) The number of career technical education courses that
satisfied the subject matter requirements for admission to the
University of California or the California State University.
(5) The extent to which the career technical education courses
chosen by pupils are aligned with the California Career Technical
Education Standards, and prepare pupils for employment, advanced
training, and postsecondary education.
(6) The number of career technical education courses that also
satisfy the visual and performing arts requirement, and the number of
career technical education courses that also satisfy the foreign
language requirement.
(7) Annual pupil dropout and graduation rates for the 2011-12 to
2014-15 school years, inclusive.
(e) For purposes of completing the report described in subdivision
(d), the Superintendent may use existing state resources and federal
funds. If state or federal funds are not available or sufficient,
the Superintendent may apply for and accept grants, and receive
donations and other financial support from public or private sources
for purposes of this section.
(f) For purposes of completing the report described in subdivision
(d), the Superintendent may accept support, including, but not
limited to, financial and technical support, from high school reform
advocates, teachers, chamber organizations, industry representatives,
research centers, parents, and pupils.
(g) This section shall become inoperative on the earlier of the
following two dates:
(1) On July 1, immediately following the first fiscal year after
the enactment of the act that adds this paragraph in which the number
of career technical education courses that, as determined by the
department, satisfy the foreign language requirement for admission to
the California State University and the University of California is
at least twice the number of career technical education courses that
meet these admission requirements as of January 1, 2012. This section
shall be repealed on the following January 1, unless a later enacted
statute, that becomes operative on or before that date, deletes or
extends the dates on which it becomes inoperative and is repealed. It
is the intent of the Legislature that new career technical education
courses that satisfy the foreign language requirement for admission
to the California State University and the University of California
focus on world languages aligned with career preparation, emphasizing
real-world application and technical content in related career and
technical education courses.
(2) On July 1, 2017, and, as of January 1, 2018, is repealed,
unless a later enacted statute, that becomes operative on or before
January 1, 2018, deletes or extends the dates on which it becomes
inoperative and is repealed.
SEC. 3. Section 51229 of the Education Code is amended to read:
51229. (a) Each school year, as part of the annual notification
required pursuant to Section 48980, a school district offering any of
grades 9 to 12, inclusive, shall provide the parent or guardian of
each minor pupil enrolled in any of those grades in the district with
written notification that, to the extent possible, shall not exceed
one page in length and that includes all of the following:
(1) A brief explanation of the college admission requirements.
(2) A list of the current University of California and California
State University Web sites that help pupils and their families learn
about college admission requirements and that list high school
courses that have been certified by the University of California as
satisfying the requirements for admission to the University of
California and the California State University.
(3) A description of the completion and tuition rates at the
University of California and California State University.
(3)
(4) A brief description of what career technical
education is, as defined by the department , and a statement
that most available jobs in the labor market do not
require a four-year college degree. This statement shall be
accompanied by references to available online data from the United
States Department of Labor Statistics or California labor statistics
of projected job demands by job classification .
(4)
(5) The Internet address for the portion of the Web
site of the department where pupils can learn more about career
technical education.
(5)
(6) Information about how pupils may meet with school
counselors to help them choose courses at their school that will meet
college admission requirements or enroll in career technical
education courses, or both.
(b) For purposes of this section, "college
section:
(1) "Career technical education course"
means any career technical education course, or sequence of courses,
that provides an opportunity for pupils to attain entry-level
employment skills in business or industry upon graduation from high
school.
(2) "College admission
requirements" means the list of courses that satisfy the subject
requirements for admission to the California State University and the
University of California.
SEC. 4. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this
act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local
agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant
to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of
the Government Code.