BILL ANALYSIS Ó
------------------------------------------------------------
|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 1200|
|Office of Senate Floor Analyses | |
|1020 N Street, Suite 524 | |
|(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) | |
|327-4478 | |
------------------------------------------------------------
THIRD READING
Bill No: SB 1200
Author: Hancock (D)
Amended: 5/2/12
Vote: 21
SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE : 7-2, 4/25/12
AYES: Lowenthal, Alquist, Hancock, Liu, Price, Simitian,
Vargas
NOES: Blakeslee, Huff
NO VOTE RECORDED: Runner, Vacancy
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE : 5-2, 5/24/12
AYES: Kehoe, Alquist, Lieu, Price, Steinberg
NOES: Walters, Dutton
SUBJECT : Common Core standards
SOURCE : State Superintendent of Public Instruction
DIGEST : This bill authorizes the Superintendent of
Public Instruction (SPI) to recommend, and the State Board
of Education (SBE) to adopt the Common Core college and
career readiness standards. This bill also authorizes the
review and modification of standards for 8th grade
mathematics, as specified.
ANALYSIS : The SBE adopted Common Core standards in
English language arts and mathematics on August 2, 2010.
At that time, the SBE adopted two different sets of
standards for grade 8 mathematics, one that is the common
CONTINUED
SB 1200
Page
2
core standards for grade 8 and one that is a combination of
common core grade 8 and Algebra I standards.
The SBE did not adopt the college and career readiness
anchor standards that complement the grade-specific Common
Core content standards. The anchor standards are broad and
the grade-specific standards provide more details. The SBE
does not have broad statutory authority to review, revise
or adopt academic content standards. The SBE was given the
authority, on a one-time basis, to adopt the existing
standards, including the common core standards in English
language arts and mathematics.
This bill authorizes the SPI to recommend, and the SBE to
adopt the Common Core college and career readiness
standards. This bill also authorizes the review and
modification of standards for 8th grade mathematics, as
specified.
FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes
Local: No
SUPPORT : (Verified 5/25/12)
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson
(source)
AFSCME
California School Boards Association
Los Angeles County Office of Education
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT : According to the author, "The
National Governors Association and Council of Chief State
School Officers created the CCSS Initiative to design
academic standards that would prepare students for careers
and college after high school graduation. In August 2010,
the SBE adopted the Common Core Standards in
English/language arts and mathematics, with additions
designed to allow California schools to continue teaching
rigorous coursework. The additions included items such as
thesis statements, penmanship, and oral presentations.
However, the adoption of the CCSS did result in some
challenges. For example, California adopted two sets of
grade 8 math standards: (1) the Common Core grade 8
standards and (2) a set that combined elements of the
CONTINUED
SB 1200
Page
3
Common Core grade 8 and High School math standards with
California's own algebra standards. The Elementary and
Secondary Education Act is based on the premise that all
students in grades1 through 8 are taught and assessed, on
the same set of standards. Several implementation issues
arise by California adopting a different set of grade 8
math standards from other participating states. For
example, instructional materials for use in California
would need to be different from those used by other states
- the unique additional standards may increase the costs of
those materials for our local school districts. In
addition, assessment consortia will be developing
assessments aligned to the Common Core standards and not
the variation adopted in California. This may result in
issues with our algebra standards and curriculum not being
aligned with our assessment and accountability system.
This lack of alignment could result in future federal
findings on our federal grants, including Title I. If
California adopted only the Common Core grade 8 math
standards as the single set of standards, many of these
concerns would be alleviated."
PQ:mw 5/25/12 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
**** END ****
CONTINUED