BILL ANALYSIS Ķ SB 1540 Page 1 SENATE THIRD READING SB 1540 (Hancock) As Amended August 20, 2012 Majority vote SENATE VOTE :38-0 EDUCATION 8-0 APPROPRIATIONS 16-0 ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Ayes:|Brownley, Ammiano, |Ayes:|Gatto, Harkey, | | |Buchanan, Butler, Carter, | |Blumenfield, Bradford, | | |Eng, Wagner, Williams | |Charles Calderon, Campos, | | | | |Davis, Fuentes, Hall, | | | | |Hill, Cedillo, Mitchell, | | | | |Nielsen, Norby, Solorio, | | | | |Wagner | |-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------| | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY : Authorizes the State Board of Education (SBE) to consider the adoption of a revised curriculum framework and evaluation criteria for instructional materials in history-social science (H/SS). Prohibits the California Department of Education (CDE) from conducting work necessary to revise the curriculum framework and evaluation criteria for instructional materials in H/SS until after CDE has completed work related to the development of curriculum frameworks for the common core academic content standards. FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, one-time General Fund administrative costs to the CDE likely between $100,000 and $150,000, to complete the H/SS curriculum framework and evaluation criteria, as specified. Further, it estimates potential General Fund/Proposition 98 cost pressure, likely in the low millions, to provide local education agencies (LEAs) with funding to purchase H/SS instructional materials. COMMENTS : According to the author, "In 2009, the K-12 History Social Science Framework recommendations were near completion when the work of the Commission was suspended because the process and procedures for adopting instructional materials, including framework revisions, were included in the flexibility SB 1540 Page 2 provisions of the Budget. The flexibility provisions were extended again in the 2011 Budget to the year 2015-16. As a result, the K-12 History Social Science Framework in place today is the Framework adopted in 2003 based upon Standards adopted in 1998." This bill authorizes the SBE to consider the adoption of a revised curriculum framework and evaluation criteria for instructional materials in H/SS, but only authorizes the CDE to do so after CDE has completed work related to the development of curriculum frameworks for the common core academic standards. Current restrictions: Consistent with the categorical flexibility provisions extended to the year 2015-16 in the 2011 Budget, current law prohibits the SBE from adopting instructional materials or curriculum frameworks for all subjects with the exception of mathematics and English language arts. Mathematics and English language arts were exempted from this restriction as a result of AB 250 (Brownley), Chapter 608, Statutes of 2011, which sought to implement the common core standards adopted through SB 1 X5 (Steinberg), Chapter 2, Statutes of 2009-2010, Fifth Extraordinary Session. H/SS content changes frequently: As highlighted in the author's statement, California's H/SS frameworks have not been updated since 2003, which are based upon standards from 1998. Supporters of this bill argue that these standards are outdated and do not appropriately include information about important topics and occurrences such as the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the following wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the impact of these events on different groups and populations and other critical topics. Proponents seem to argue that due to the frequent changes in history, delays in the adoption of H/SS curriculum frameworks have a more immediate impact because the delay may limit student access to this information. There will, even when the regular six year adoption cycle resumes, however, likely always be at least a short lag in curricular information as compared to current trends and events. Much of the support for this measure seems to center on the need for curriculum frameworks in California to reflect new information that is prevalent in recent history. The updated curriculum frameworks that would be adopted by this bill would still reflect the 1998 H/SS standards. An updated curriculum SB 1540 Page 3 framework may to be able to include more contemporary events and trends, but would be limited to the content in the standards, thus raising the question about whether a full review and update of the H/SS standards would be a more comprehensive approach. Much of the H/SS curriculum framework is already completed: On July 17, 2009, the Instructional Quality Commission (IQC), formerly the Curriculum Development and Supplemental Materials Commission, approved the draft update of the H/SS framework for field review. Shortly thereafter, due to budget action, the field review was suspended. The CDE also suspended work related to the revision of frameworks for science, health, and mathematics. Numerous groups and individuals raised concern about the suspension of the framework revision and adoption process, particularly in regard to the H/SS framework that was close to completion. Many argued that the work on the H/SS framework should be completed even without an immediate instructional materials adoption because such a framework would provide updated content and pedagogical strategies for teachers to help their students acquire updated and relevant knowledge and skills. This bill follows that logic and requires the adoption of a H/SS framework even while the instructional materials adoption process remains suspended. Authorizing CDE only after completion of common core work: Current law requires the SBE to adopt new common core standards and aligned mathematics and English language arts frameworks by May 30, 2013, and May 30, 2014, respectively. If this bill is enacted, work by the CDE on a revised H/SS framework would only be authorized to begin after May 2014. Prior legislation: SB 1278 (Wyland) of 2010, requires the SBE to adopt a revised framework and evaluation criteria for H/SS in 2011. SB 1278 was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee. AB 2069 (Carter) of 2010, requires the SBE to adopt a revised framework and evaluation criteria for H/SS by July 1, 2011. AB 2069 was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Analysis Prepared by : Mark Murphy and Marisol Aviņa / ED. / (916) 319-2087 SB 1540 Page 4 FN: 0005113