BILL NUMBER: AB 959	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Bonilla

                        FEBRUARY 22, 2013

   An act to add Section 60604.6 to the Education Code, relating to
pupil assessment.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 959, as introduced, Bonilla. Pupil assessment.
   The Leroy Greene California Assessment of Academic Achievement Act
states the intent of the Legislature to provide a system of
individual assessment of pupils that has the primary purpose of
assisting teachers, administrators, and pupils and their parents to
improve teaching and learning. Existing law establishes the
Standardized Testing and Reporting Program pursuant to which each
school district, charter school, and county office of education is
required to administer to each of its pupils in grades 2 to 11,
inclusive, the standards-based achievement tests. These provisions
are inoperative on July 1, 2014, and as of January 1, 2015, are
repealed.
   This bill would state the intent of the Legislature that the
reauthorization of the statewide pupil assessment program include a
specified plan to reform that program as it relates to grades 7 to
12, inclusive. The bill would require the Superintendent of Public
Instruction, in consultation with various groups of individuals and
entities, to develop and present to the State Board of Education, by
July 1, 2014, recommendations to effectuate those reforms. The bill
would require the state board to adopt, or modify and adopt, the
recommendations by November 15, 2014. The bill would require the
Superintendent and the state board to present to the Governor and the
appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the Legislature a
schedule and implementation plan. The bill would require the State
Department of Education to use specified federal funds or any other
available and appropriate state and federal funds to implement these
provisions.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


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

  SECTION 1.  It is the intent of the Legislature that the
reauthorization of the statewide pupil assessment program pursuant to
Section 60604.5 of the Education Code include a plan to bring
together elementary and secondary school policy leaders, the
California Community Colleges, the California State University, the
University of California, private colleges and universities, and
postsecondary career technical and vocational programs to develop
criteria and create nonpunitive pathways in which assessments taken
by middle and high school pupils are aligned with college and career
readiness and may be recognized as one of a number of multiple
measures for entry into college, placement in college-level courses,
and career training.
  SEC. 2.  Section 60604.6 is added to the Education Code, to read:
   60604.6.  (a) For purposes of developing a plan to strengthen the
pupil relevance of assessments and to strengthen the alignment
between state-mandated middle and high school assessments and the
entry requirements or course placement decisions of public and
private colleges and universities and postsecondary career and
technical training institutions, the Superintendent, in consultation
with the state board, the segments of public and private
postsecondary education, career technical and training institutions,
administrators of elementary and secondary schools, teachers, members
of the governing board of school districts, pupil representatives,
and parents, shall develop and recommend to the state board both of
the following:
   (1) Principles among elementary and secondary schools, public and
private colleges and universities, and postsecondary career and
technical training institutions that would strengthen the alignment
of assessments of pupils in grades 7 to 12, inclusive, to any of the
following:
   (A) Requirements for entry into college.
   (B) Placement in college-level courses.
   (C) Career opportunities.
   (2) A plan and timeline to expand and strengthen future early
assessment programs to provide information to postsecondary
institutions, secondary schools, and pupils about pupil preparedness
for all California postsecondary educational institutions, including
the California Community Colleges, the California State University,
the University of California, private colleges and universities, and
postsecondary career training institutions.
   (b) The Superintendent shall present recommendations to the state
board on or before July 1, 2014. After the Superintendent presents
the recommendations, two public hearings shall be held during
regularly scheduled state board meetings to ensure public input and
participation.
   (c) On or before November 15, 2014, the state board shall adopt,
or modify and adopt, the recommendations.
   (d) The Superintendent and the state board shall present to the
Governor and the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the
Legislature a schedule and implementation plan that meets the intent
of this section.
   (e) The department shall use funds received pursuant to Title VI
of the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (20 U.S.C. Sec. 6301
et seq.), or any other available and appropriate state and federal
funds, to implement this section.