BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SB 1316
Page 1
Date of Hearing: June 13, 2012
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Julia Brownley, Chair
SB 1316 (Hancock) - As Amended: May 1, 212
SENATE VOTE : 35-0
SUBJECT : School attendance: early and middle college high
schools
SUMMARY : Exempts early and middle college high schools from
the 240 minute requirement for a minimum school day and
establishes a day of attendance as 180 minutes for pupils
enrolled in these programs if they are also enrolled part time
in classes at the University of California, California State
University, or a community college, as specified. Specifically,
this bill :
1)Provides that a minimum day of attendance shall be 180 minutes
for a pupil enrolled in grade 11 or 12 at an early college
high school or middle college high school if the pupil is also
enrolled part time in classes of the California State
University (CSU) or the University of California (UC) for
which academic credit will be provided upon satisfactory
completion of enrolled courses.
2)Provides that a minimum day of attendance shall be 180 minutes
for a pupil enrolled in an early college high school or middle
college high school who is also a special part-time student,
as specified, enrolled in a community college, and who will
receive academic credit upon satisfactory completion of
enrolled courses.
3)Provides that a minimum day of attendance shall be 240 minutes
for a pupil enrolled in an early college high school or middle
college high school who does not satisfy either of the above
conditions.
4)Makes findings and declarations regarding early and middle
college high school programs and their benefits and specifies
key elements of an early and middle college high school.
EXISTING LAW provides that a minimum day of attendance in any
high school is 240 minutes, except for an evening high school, a
SB 1316
Page 2
regional occupational center, an opportunity high school and
opportunity classes, and specified vocational education
programs. The minimum day of attendance in such schools is 180
minutes. The minimum day of attendance for pupils in grades 11
and 12 who are also enrolled in CSU, UC or community college
courses leading to academic credit is 180 days. For
apportionment purposes, school districts can claim only 75% of
the average daily attendance (ADA) of such pupils.
FISCAL EFFECT : This bill is keyed nonfiscal.
COMMENTS : The main effect of this bill is to allow districts
with early and middle college high schools to get full funding
for pupils who attend school for 180 minutes per day. Under
existing law, the minimum day for pupils in grades 11 and 12 who
take part time college courses is already 180 days, but
districts can claim only 75% of their ADA for apportionment
purposes.
Early College High Schools. Early College High Schools (ECHSs)
were first established in 2002 through the national Early
College High School Initiative. ECHSs now serve pupils in 28
states and the District of Columbia. Currently there are 41
ECHSs in California. The schools are designed so that
low-income youth, first-generation college goers, English
language learners, students of color, and other young people
underrepresented in higher education can simultaneously earn a
high school diploma and an Associate's degree or up to two years
of credit toward a Bachelor's degree. Programs operate as
partnerships between the school and a college and are designed
so that pupils can attain a high school diploma and earn two
years of college credit within five years of entering the ninth
grade. Learning takes place in a personalized environment,
where rigorous work is demanded and supported.
ECHSs differ from middle college high schools in that the latter
are located on college campuses and involve more college-level
coursework.
Reason for the bill. Supporters argue that the shorter school
day is necessary to free up the time needed for students to take
college classes. According to supporters, "The goal of SB 1316
is to create an environment that is more conducive to
approaching the duel enrollment in a way that is the most
productive for students and which will provide them with the
SB 1316
Page 3
best opportunity to be successful in the college environment.
ÝThe bill] allows for the students to take the most rigorous
college classes and also have the structure provided by the
early college setting to succeed in these classes because of the
guidance, tutoring and counseling that is offered by the early
or middle college." The 180-minute minimum school day
established by this bill for early and middle college high
schools is consistent with the minimum day required for regional
occupational centers, opportunity high schools and classes, and
some vocational education programs.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
Association of California School Administrators
California School Boards Association
Community College League of California
Jobs for the Future
San Mateo Middle College
Tulare County Office of Education
University Preparatory High School (Visalia)
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by : Rick Pratt / ED. / (916) 319-2087