BILL NUMBER: AB 137	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 14, 2013

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Buchanan

                        JANUARY 16, 2013

   An act to amend Section  51212   33540 
of the Education Code, relating to pupil instruction.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 137, as amended, Buchanan. Pupil instruction:  foreign
language.   civics.  
   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.
 
   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.  
   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.  
   This bill would make a nonsubstantive change to that provision.

   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  no
  yes  . State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

   SECTION 1.    Section 33540 of the  
Education Code   is amended to read: 
   33540.  (a) The  State Board of Education  
state board  and the department shall request that the
commission review and revise, as necessary, the course requirements
in the history-social science framework developed by the
History-Social Science Curriculum Framework and Criteria Committee of
the state board to ensure that minimum standards for courses in
American government and civics include sufficient attention to
teaching pupils how to interact, in a practical manner, with state
and local governmental agencies and representatives to solve problems
and to petition for changes in laws and procedures.
   (b) When the history-social science framework is revised as
required by law, the commission shall  ensure that the
following historical documents are incorporated into the framework,
as appropriate   do all of the following  : 
    (1) Receive input from civic learning experts, including civic
education program providers, associations of civic educators, and
organizations dedicated to research on civic learning, for the
purpose of integrating civics learning content, concepts, and skills,
at each grade level, with the standards established by the state
board in core curriculum areas, as specified in Section 60605. 

   (2) Ensure that the civics learning content, concepts, and skills
to be taught include, but not be limited to, a basic understanding of
the responsibilities and operation of the three branches of state
and federal government, the importance of civic engagement, and the
competencies needed to become effective and responsible residents and
citizens in the 21st century.  
   (3) Ensure that the following historical documents are
incorporated into the framework, as appropriate:  
   (1) 
    (A)  The Declaration of Independence. 
   (2) 
    (B)  The United States Constitution, including the Bill
of Rights. 
   (3) 
    (C)  The Federalist Papers. 
   (4)
    (D)  The Emancipation Proclamation. 
   (5) 
    (   E)  The Gettysburg Address. 
   (6) 
    (F)  George Washington's Farewell Address. 
  SECTION 1.    Section 51212 of the Education Code
is amended to read:
   51212.  It is the intent and purpose of the Legislature to
encourage the establishment of programs in foreign language
instruction, with instruction beginning as early as feasible for each
school district.