Amended in Assembly March 14, 2013

California Legislature—2013–14 Regular Session

Assembly BillNo. 137


Introduced by Assembly Member Buchanan

January 16, 2013


An act to amend Sectionbegin delete 51212end deletebegin insert 33540end insert of the Education Code, relating to pupil instruction.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

AB 137, as amended, Buchanan. Pupil instruction:begin delete foreign language.end deletebegin insert civics.end insert

begin insert

Existing law requires the Instructional Quality Commission to review and revise, as necessary, the course requirements in the history-social science framework to ensure that minimum standards for courses in American government and civics include certain matters.

end insert
begin insert

This bill would additionally require the commission, when revising the history-social science framework, to receive input from civic learning experts, for the purpose of integrating civics learning content, concepts, and skills with the standards established by the State Board of Education in core curriculum areas at each grade level, and to ensure that the civics learning content, concepts, and skills to be taught include certain matters.

end insert
begin delete

Existing law sets forth the intent and purpose of the Legislature to encourage the establishment of programs of instruction in foreign language, with instruction beginning as early as feasible for each school district.

end delete
begin delete

This bill would make a nonsubstantive change to that provision.

end delete

Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: begin deleteno end deletebegin insertyesend insert. State-mandated local program: no.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

P2    1begin insert

begin insertSECTION 1.end insert  

end insert

begin insertSection 33540 of the end insertbegin insertEducation Codeend insertbegin insert is amended
2to read:end insert

3

33540.  

(a) Thebegin delete State Board of Educationend deletebegin insert state boardend insert and the
4department shall request that the commission review and revise,
5as necessary, the course requirements in the history-social science
6framework developed by the History-Social Science Curriculum
7Framework and Criteria Committee of the state board to ensure
8that minimum standards for courses in American government and
9civics include sufficient attention to teaching pupils how to interact,
10in a practical manner, with state and local governmental agencies
11and representatives to solve problems and to petition for changes
12in laws and procedures.

13(b) When the history-social science framework is revised as
14required by law, the commission shallbegin delete ensure that the following
15historical documents are incorporated into the framework, as
16appropriateend delete
begin insert do all of the followingend insert:

begin insert

17 (1) Receive input from civic learning experts, including civic
18education program providers, associations of civic educators, and
19organizations dedicated to research on civic learning, for the
20purpose of integrating civics learning content, concepts, and skills,
21at each grade level, with the standards established by the state
22board in core curriculum areas, as specified in Section 60605.

end insert
begin insert

23(2) Ensure that the civics learning content, concepts, and skills
24to be taught include, but not be limited to, a basic understanding
25of the responsibilities and operation of the three branches of state
26and federal government, the importance of civic engagement, and
27the competencies needed to become effective and responsible
28residents and citizens in the 21st century.

end insert
begin insert

29(3) Ensure that the following historical documents are
30incorporated into the framework, as appropriate:

end insert
begin delete

31(1)

end delete

32begin insert(A)end insert The Declaration of Independence.

begin delete

33(2)

end delete

34begin insert(B)end insert The United States Constitution, including the Bill of Rights.

begin delete

35(3)

end delete

36begin insert(C)end insert The Federalist Papers.

begin delete

37(4)

end delete

38begin insert(D)end insert The Emancipation Proclamation.

begin delete

P3    1(5)

end delete

2begin insert(end insertbegin insertE)end insert The Gettysburg Address.

begin delete

3(6)

end delete

4begin insert(F)end insert George Washington’s Farewell Address.

begin delete5

SECTION 1.  

Section 51212 of the Education Code is amended
6to read:

7

51212.  

It is the intent and purpose of the Legislature to
8encourage the establishment of programs in foreign language
9instruction, with instruction beginning as early as feasible for each
10school district.

end delete


O

    98