AB 137,
as amended, Buchanan. Pupil instruction:begin delete foreign language.end deletebegin insert civics.end 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 insertbegin insertThis 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 insertExisting 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 deleteThis bill would make a nonsubstantive change to that provision.
end deleteVote: 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:
begin insertSection 33540 of the end insertbegin insertEducation
Codeend insertbegin insert is amended
2to read:end insert
(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 begin insert
do all of the followingend insert:
15historical documents are incorporated into the framework, as
16appropriateend delete
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.
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.
29(3) Ensure that the following historical documents are
30incorporated into the framework, as appropriate:
31(1)
end delete32begin insert(A)end insert The Declaration of Independence.
33(2)
end delete34begin insert(B)end insert The United States Constitution, including the Bill of Rights.
35(3)
end delete36begin insert(C)end insert The Federalist Papers.
37(4)
end delete38begin insert(D)end insert The Emancipation Proclamation.
P3 1(5)
end delete2begin insert(end insertbegin insertE)end insert The Gettysburg Address.
3(6)
end delete4begin insert(F)end insert George Washington’s Farewell Address.
Section 51212 of the Education Code is amended
6to read:
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.
O
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