Amended in Assembly January 8, 2014

Amended in Assembly April 23, 2013

California Legislature—2013–14 Regular Session

Assembly Bill No. 1178

Introduced by Assembly Member Bocanegra

February 22, 2013

An act to add begin insert and repeal end insert Chapter 18.5 (commencing with Section 11750) begin delete to end delete begin insert of end insert Part 7 of Division 1 of Title 1 of the Education Code, relating to pupil instruction.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

AB 1178, as amended, Bocanegra. Pupil instruction: California Promise Neighborhood Initiative.

Existing law establishes a system of public elementary and secondary schools in this state, and authorizes local educational agencies throughout the state to operate schools and provide instruction to pupils in kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive. Existing law also establishes a system of postsecondary education in the state that consists of 4 segments: the University of California, the California State University, the California Community Colleges, and independent institutions of higher education.

This bill would express findings and declarations of the Legislature about, among other things, the educational, begin delete cultural, and health end delete begin insert social, and health end insert needs of California’s most distressed communities. The bill would establish the California Promise Neighborhood Initiative to develop a system of begin insert up to end insert 40 California promise neighborhoods throughout the state to support children’s development. The bill would, commencing in July begin delete 2014 end delete begin insert 2015 end insert , require the State Department of Education to develop an application process for eligible entities to apply for sites to become promise neighborhoods. The bill would begin delete require end delete begin insert authorize end insert the State Department of Education to designate begin delete the end delete begin insert up to end insert 40 California promise neighborhoods by January 1, begin delete 2016 end delete begin insert 2017 end insert , and would specify that the promise neighborhoods would be selected from areas that voluntarily apply, as prescribed, for that designation. The bill would specify items that would be required to be included in an application to be designated as a California promise neighborhood. The bill would specify the services to be provided to the participating neighborhoods. The bill would also require promise neighborhood designees to begin delete undergo a performance reviewevery 3 years conducted by end delete begin insert provide a report to end insert the State Department of Education begin delete and the community served by the promise neighborhood end delete begin insert , every 3 years, containing specified data. These provisions would become operative only if the Superintendent of Public Instruction finds that sufficient funding for its purposes has been provided, as specified end insert .

begin insert

These provisions would be repealed as of January 1, 2026.

end insert

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.  

Chapter 18.5 (commencing with Section 11750)
is added to Part 7 of Division 1 of Title 1 of the Education Code,
to read:

 

Chapter  18.5. California Promise Neighborhood
Initiative

 

Article 1.  Findings and General Provisions

 

11750.  

The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the
following:

(a) All children throughout California, regardless of their
families’ socioeconomic, English learning, or special education
status, or the neighborhoods in which they reside, deserve access
to a high-quality education, health services, and social services
that will prepare them to succeed in college and in their careers,
and that will allow them to become productive citizens contributing
to the wealth of our cities, state, and nation.

(b) Many children living in California’s most distressed
communities lack access to opportunities that will ensure adequate
academic, social, and health preparation for achieving success and
helping to end family and neighborhood poverty.

(c) Innovative and comprehensive approaches to break the cycle
of poverty are necessary for creating opportunities for children to
succeed and ultimately to help turn around poor neighborhoods.

(d) Long-term investments in underserved children’s academic,
social, and health development and the strengthening of a system
of family and community support shared by various stakeholders
are also needed to sustain the future of our communities.

(e) The Harlem Children’s Zone in New York has demonstrated
the lasting benefits of developing a network of support services to
revitalize an entire community begin insert through end insert focusing on the
begin insert educational, end insert social, begin insert and end insert health begin delete , and educational end delete development of
children.

(f) The Federal Promise Neighborhood Initiative, inspired by
the Harlem Children’s Zone, seeks to develop a cradle-to-career
pipeline of support services in specific neighborhoods that will
transform communities.

(g) Out of more than 50 communities in California that applied
for the Federal Promise Neighborhood Initiative grant, eight
communities in California were selected to receive planning or
implementation grants.

(h) Many of the communities that were not selected by the
federal government continue to work on developing community
plans because cross-community planning provides lasting benefits
in aligning and maximizing resources in a community.

(i) Establishing a network of services to serve specific families
breaks down many unnecessary barriers in the effective delivery
of programs and services.

(j) The alignment of local, state, and federal resources can
maximize existing dollars and better serve specific communities.

(k) Central to the development of the Harlem Children’s Zone
and the Federal Promise Neighborhood Initiative has been the use
of data to drive real-time decisionmaking and program
improvement.

11751.  

(a) The California Promise Neighborhood Initiative is
hereby established to develop a system of begin insert up to end insert 40 “promise
neighborhoods” throughout California to support children’s
development from cradle to career. Participation in this initiative
is voluntary.

(b) The purpose of the California Promise Neighborhood
Initiative is to significantly improve the outcomes and opportunities
for children and their families living in California’s most distressed
neighborhoods and to transform those communities. By using
results-driven accountability and leveraging federal, state, local,
and private resources, the state will seek to provide children and
their families in these neighborhoods with access to a
community-based continuum of high-quality services and practices
based on the best available evidence, which will address the needs
of children from birth through college and career.

(c) Commencing in July begin delete 2014 end delete begin insert 2015 end insert , the department shall
develop an application process for eligible entities to apply for
sites to become promise neighborhoods pursuant to this article.
The department begin delete shall end delete begin insert may end insert designate begin insert up to end insert 40 California promise
neighborhoods by January 1, begin delete 2016 end delete begin insert 2017 end insert , selecting from applicants
that meet eligibility criteria, and have demonstrated that they will
implement a comprehensive, integrated continuum of solutions or
pipeline of services based on the best available evidence to improve
academic achievement, including early childhood programs, child
and youth social and health development, college and career
readiness, and efforts to build strong family and community
supports measured by common outcomes in neighborhoods with
high concentrations of low-income families, persistently
low-achieving schools, or schools with an achievement gap.

(d) A designee is responsible for begin delete , and shall be measured by the
department for, end delete begin insert demonstrating progress in end insert all of the following
common outcomes:

(1) Children enter kindergarten ready to succeed in school.

(2) Pupils are proficient in core academic subjects.

(3) Pupils successfully transition from middle school grades to
high school.

(4) Pupils graduate from high school.

(5) High school graduates obtain a postsecondary begin insert educational end insert
degree, certification, or credential.

(6) Pupils are healthy.

(7) Pupils feel safe at school and in their community.

(8) Pupils live in stable communities.

(9) Families and community members support learning in
promise neighborhood schools.

(10) Pupils have access to 21st century learning tools.

begin insert

(e) The department shall determine acceptable indicators to
illustrate progress in each of the above outcomes.

end insert begin delete

(e)

end delete

begin insert (f) end insert  The department shall begin the California Promise
Neighborhood Initiative selection process by guaranteeing
eligibility for the federally begin delete recognizedcommunities end delete begin insert recognized
communities end insert in California receiving either planning or
implementation grants.

11752.  

As used in this chapter:

(a) A “California promise neighborhood” is a specific
geographic area that represents a community focused on
revitalization through the establishment of a cradle-to-career
network of services aimed at improving the health, safety,
education, and economic development of the defined area.

(b) An “eligible applicant” is any of the following:

(1) A nonprofit organization, including a faith-based
organization to the extent permitted by law.

begin insert

(2) A local educational agency.

end insert begin delete

(2)

end delete

begin insert (3) end insert  An institution of higher education.

begin delete

(3)

end delete

begin insert (4) end insert  An Indian tribe or tribal organization, serving as a lead
agency representative of the proposed geographic area to be served
and in partnership with at least one public elementary or secondary
school, traditional or charter, located within the identified
geographic area.

begin insert

(c) “Common outcomes” are the outcomes listed in subdivision
(d) of Section 11751.

end insert

 

Article 2.  Program Provisions

 

11753.  

(a) The department shall work with the Employment
Development Department, the California Health and Human
Services Agency, the Business, Transportation and Housing
Agency, the California Children and Families Commission, the
California Community Colleges, the California State University,
the University of California, the Student Aid Commission, the
Department of Parks and Recreation, and other agencies and
departments begin delete selected by the Governor end delete begin insert deemed appropriate by the
Superintendent of Public Instruction end insert to implement this chapter.

(b) The department shall work with the entities listed in
subdivision (a) to identify begin delete programs and opportunities for grants
suitable for prioritization and granting of bonus points in promise
neighborhoods end delete begin insert existing programs and grants for which an
applicant that is designated a California Promise Neighborhood
would receive bonus points, additional recognition, or weighted
consideration when competing for those grants end insert .

(c) For purposes of implementing this chapter, the department
may use existing available state resources and federal funds. If
state or federal funds are not available or sufficient, the department
may apply for and accept grants and receive donations and other
financial support from public or private sources for purposes of
this chapter.

begin insert

(d) This chapter shall not be construed to require the
development or funding of any new programs or grants.

end insert begin delete

(d)

end delete

begin insert (e) end insert  It is the intent of the Legislature to encourage the Governor
to give a high priority to California promise neighborhoods in the
expenditure of discretionary federal workforce investment funds.

begin delete

11754.  

(a) The department shall work with the California
Health and Human Services Agency and county health and human
services agencies to ensure, to the extent feasible, the maximum
participation of eligible populations within California promise
neighborhoods in the following programs:

(1) The CalFresh program pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing
with Section 18900) of Part 6 of Division 9 of the Welfare and
Institutions Code.

(2) The Medi-Cal program pursuant to Chapter 7 (commencing
with Section 14000) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and
Institutions Code.

(b) The department shall have a participation goal of 90 percent,
and, beginning January 1, 2016, the department shall post
participation rates for these areas. The department shall explore
different methods of increasing participation, including, but not
necessarily limited to, a universal application and electronic data
sharing with schools and school districts.

end delete

begin delete 11755. end delete
begin insert 11754. end insert   

The department shall work with the California Children
and Families Commission (First 5 Commission), established
pursuant to Division 108 (commencing with Section 130100) of
the Health and Safety Code, to ensure that, to the extent feasible,
eligible applicants residing within California promise
neighborhoods receive bonus points, additional recognition, or
weighted consideration for receiving funding for competitive grants
administered by that commission.

begin delete 11756. end delete
begin insert 11755. end insert   

(a) The department shall work with the California
Community Colleges, the California State University, the
University of California, the Student Aid Commission, and the
California Postsecondary Education Commission to ensure that,
to the extent feasible, eligible applicants residing within California
promise neighborhoods receive bonus points, additional
recognition, or weighted consideration, to the extent feasible, when
applying for funding for competitive grants.

(b) Schools, school districts, and institutions of higher education
within California promise neighborhoods shall, at a minimum, for
purposes of meeting the shared begin delete outcomes end delete begin insert common outcomes end insert of
the promise neighborhood initiative, to the extent not in conflict
with federal law or with an initiative measure, receive bonus points,
additional recognition, or weighted consideration for receiving
funding for the following competitive grants:

(1) The After School Education and Safety Program established
pursuant to Section 8482.

(2) A California Partnership Academy established pursuant to
Article 5 (commencing with Section 54690) of Chapter 9 of Part
29 of Division 4 of Title 2.

begin delete

(3) The Immediate Intervention-Underperforming Schools
Program established pursuant to Section 52053.

end delete begin delete

(4)

end delete

begin insert (3) end insert  Career technical education pathways grants pursuant to
Section 88532.

begin delete

(5)

end delete

begin insert (4) end insert  School improvement grants, to the extent that a school within
a promise neighborhood is presently low achieving and is eligible
for Title 1 funding pursuant to Chapter 70 (commencing with
Section 6301) of Title 20 of the United States Code.

begin delete 11757. end delete
begin insert 11756. end insert   

The department shall work with the Employment
Development Department, the California Workforce Investment
Board, and the Employment Training Panel to ensure that, to the
extent feasible, eligible applicants residing within California
promise neighborhoods receive bonus points, additional
recognition, or weighted consideration for receiving funding for
competitive grants.

begin delete 11758. end delete
begin insert 11757. end insert   

(a) The department shall work with the Department of
Parks and Recreation to ensure that eligible applicants residing
within California promise neighborhoods receive, to the extent
feasible, bonus points, additional recognition, or weighted
consideration for receiving funding for competitive grants.

(b) Cities and counties in which California promise
neighborhoods are located shall, with the support of the promise
neighborhoods, demonstrate that multiple sources of block grant
assistance are being coordinated and invested in support of the
planning, implementation, and long-term results of their promise
neighborhood program.

(c) Cities and counties in which California promise
neighborhoods are located shall receive, to the extent feasible,
bonus points, additional recognition, or weighted consideration
for funding for the creation of new parks and recreation activities
in underserved communities.

begin delete 11759. end delete
begin insert 11758. end insert   

(a) For purposes of receiving a California promise
neighborhood designation, an eligible applicant shall submit an
application to the department at a time, in the manner, and
containing the information, the department may require.

(b) An eligible applicant shall submit a description of the
geographically defined area or neighborhood to be served and the
level of distress in that area based on indicators of need and other
relevant indicators.

(c) In order for an area to apply, the geographic area of the
proposed California promise neighborhood shall meet all of the
following minimum criteria:

begin delete

(1) Contain a designated high school or schools and feeder
schools that use a transformation model that includes, but is not
necessarily limited to, full-service community schools, charter
schools, turnaround schools as defined by the federal government,
and career pathways.

end delete begin delete

(2)

end delete

begin insert (1) end insert  Contain a high school with a graduation rate below 70
percent.

begin delete

(3)

end delete

begin insert (2) end insert  Have unemployment rates higher than the state as a whole.

begin delete

(4)

end delete

begin insert (3) end insert  Have more than 25 percent of households with annual
incomes below twenty-two thousand dollars ($22,000).

(d) An eligible applicant, at a minimum, shall include the
following partners as part of its application:

(1) Other community organizations.

(2) Child development organizations.

(3) Schools or school districts.

(4) Postsecondary educational institutions.

(5) City and county governments.

(6) Representatives of local business and industry.

(e) An eligible applicant shall submit a preliminary
memorandum of understanding, signed by representatives of each
partner entity or agency begin insert , end insert that includes, but is not necessarily limited
to, all of the following:

(1) Each partner’s commitment and contribution toward
achieving each common outcome at population level.

(2) Each partner’s financial and programmatic commitment
with respect to the strategies described in the application, including
an identification of the fiscal agent.

(3) The governance structure proposed for the promise
neighborhood, including a system for how the eligible applicant
will hold partners accountable, the representation of geographical
areas on the eligible applicant’s governing and advisory boards,
and resident engagement from the neighborhood in the
organization’s decisionmaking process.

(4) Each partner’s long-term commitment to providing pipeline
services that, at a minimum, account for the cost of supporting the
begin delete pipeline, including the period after grant funds are no longer
available, and potential changes in local government. end delete begin insert pipeline. end insert

(5) Each partner’s mission and plan that will govern the work
that partners do together.

(6) Each partner’s long-term commitment to supporting the
pipeline through data collection, monitoring, reporting, and sharing.

(7) Each partner’s commitment to ensure sound fiscal
management and controls, including evidence of a system of
supports and personnel.

(f) Eligible applicants shall submit a description of a plan to
significantly improve the academic, health, and social outcomes
of children living in an identified neighborhood and to support the
healthy development and well-being of children and youth in the
neighborhood by providing a continuum of solutions to address
the neighborhood’s needs. The continuum of solutions proposed
by the eligible applicant shall be based on the best information
available to the applicant.

(g) An eligible applicant shall submit an analysis of community
assets within, or accessible to, the neighborhood, including, at a
minimum, a description of all of the following:

(1) Early learning programs and begin delete network end delete begin insert networks end insert , including
home visiting, high-quality child care, Early Head Start programs,
Head Start programs, and prekindergarten programs.

(2) Community centers, after school programs, and other
opportunities for out-of-school activities.

(3) Transportation resources.

(4) Parks and recreational facilities.

(5) Available healthy food options and opportunities for physical
activity.

(6) Existing family and student support organizations.

(7) Businesses and employers located in the community.

(8) Postsecondary educational institutions located in or near the
community.

(h) A description of the process by which to develop, launch,
and implement a longitudinal data system that integrates
student-level data from multiple sources to measure progress on
educational and family and community support indicators for all
children in the neighborhood.

(i) Any funding received as a result of the promise neighborhood
designation shall only be used for the development of the promise
neighborhood common outcomes.

begin delete

(j) (1) As used in this chapter, “full-service community school”
means a school that aligns the efforts and resources of school
leaders, public agencies, and community partners to create safe,
healthy, and supportive schools that provide equitable opportunities
for all children and youth to develop the skills needed for healthy
and successful transitions to college, careers, and life-long learning.
The principles of equity and academic excellence drive the
full-service community school to meet the needs of all pupils,
including, and most especially, those pupils identified as vulnerable
to social disconnection and dropping out of school.

(2) (A) The core elements of a full-service community school
include, but are not necessarily limited to, all of the following:

(i) A high-quality education plan that attends to the full range
of 21st century skills, including core subjects and themes such as
both of the following:

(I) Civics, health, and environmental literacy.

(II) Information, media, technology, career, and life skills
appropriate to each grade from prekindergarten to grade 12.

(ii) The alignment of school and community resources with the
needs of pupils and families.

(iii) A collaborative governance structure for the effective
braiding of school and community resources and family and
community engagement.

(iv) Expanded learning opportunities for all pupils, including
before and after school enrichment programs, workplace learning
opportunities, and postsecondary partnerships.

(v) Access to onsite, coordinated support services for pupils
and families, including physical and mental health services, social
services, and youth, family, and community engagement and
development.

(B) The services set forth in this paragraph are designed to
holistically address the mental, emotional, and physical health of
pupils and to support the acceleration of academic achievement.

end delete

begin delete 11760. end delete
begin insert 11759. end insert   

Every three years, begin delete promise neighborhood designees end delete begin delete shall
undergo a performance review conducted by the department and
the community served by the promise neighborhood. The review
shall examine performance in all of the following outcomes, as
defined by the department end delete begin insert California promise neighborhoods shall
provide the department with a report. The department may add
requirements to the report, but the report shall include, but is not
necessarily limited to, all of the following information end insert :

begin delete

(a) Children enter kindergarten ready to succeed in school.

(b) Pupils are proficient in core academic subjects.

(c) Pupils successfully transition from middle school grades to
high school.

(d) Pupils graduate from high school.

(e) High school graduates obtain a postsecondary degree,
certification, or credential.

(f) Pupils are healthy.

(g) Pupils feel safe at school and in their community.

(h) Pupils live in stable communities.

(i) Families and community members support learning in
promise neighborhood schools.

(j) Pupils have access to 21st century learning tools.

end delete begin insert

(a) An assessment and discussion of the promise neighborhood’s
progress on each of the common outcomes.

end insert begin insert

(b) A discussion of the data indicators, as determined by the
department under subdivision (e) of Section 11751, that
demonstrates critical analysis of the designated promise
neighborhood’s progress on each of the common outcomes.

end insert begin insert

(c) A plan for updating strategies to continue the promise
neighborhood’s progress on each of the common outcomes for
children and their families in promise neighborhoods.

end insert

begin insert

begin insert 11760. end insert   

This chapter shall become operative only if the
Superintendent finds that sufficient funding for the purposes of
this chapter has been provided through a combination of state,
federal, or private funds. The Superintendent shall prominently
post this finding on the department’s Web site.

end insert begin insert

begin insert 11761. end insert   

This chapter shall remain in effect only until January
1, 2026, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted
statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2026, deletes or extends
that date.

end insert