BILL NUMBER: AB 1750	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Alejo

                        FEBRUARY 14, 2014

   An act relating to pupil instruction, and making an appropriation
therefor.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1750, as introduced, Alejo. Pupil instruction: ethnic studies.
   Existing law requires a school district, as part of its adopted
course of study for grades 7 to 12, inclusive, to offer courses in
specified areas of study, including social sciences. Existing law
establishes the Instructional Quality Commission and requires the
commission to, among other things, recommend curriculum frameworks to
the State Board of Education.
   This bill would require the commission to identify model programs,
standards, and curricula relating to ethnic studies at the high
school level. The bill would require the commission, on or before
January 1, 2016, to prepare and submit a report that, among other
things, identifies the best practices and standards for establishing
and implementing ethnic studies in public high schools, to the
Governor and the Legislature, and to make the report available on the
State Department of Education's Internet Web site.
   This bill would appropriate $125,000 to the State Department of
Education for purposes of funding the report.
   The funds appropriated by this bill would be applied toward the
minimum funding requirements for school districts and community
college districts imposed by Section 8 of Article XVI of the
California Constitution.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: yes. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


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

  SECTION 1.  (a) The Instructional Quality Commission shall identify
model programs, standards, and curricula relating to ethnic studies
at the high school level. The commission shall also identify factors
to train teachers to work effectively with diverse pupils and
families and to encourage respect for diversity in the classroom.
   (b) The commission shall prepare a report that, at minimum, does
all of the following:
   (1) Reviews the most current research on ethnic studies for
secondary education.
   (2) Reviews and evaluates existing standards, curricula, programs,
and training regarding ethnic studies for secondary education.
   (3) Identifies the best practices and standards for establishing
and implementing ethnic studies in public high schools.
   (4) Assesses the adequacy of current ethnic studies courses in
California public high schools.
   (5) Makes recommendations for establishing a "California Cultures"
multicultural or ethnic studies course that can be incorporated into
existing high school curriculum.
   (c) The commission shall complete and submit the report to the
Governor and the Legislature on or before January 1, 2016. The report
shall also be made available to the public on the State Department
of Education's Internet Web site.
   (d) The commission may consult with experts on ethnic studies,
multiculturalism, or diversity including, but not limited to, all of
the following:
   (1) Representatives from the State Department of Education.
   (2) Representatives from the University of California.
   (3) Representatives from the California State University.
   (4) Academic faculty, researchers, and scientists with backgrounds
in ethnic studies, American studies, history, education, psychology,
or medicine.
   (5) Representatives from community-based organizations concerned
with pupil issues or civil rights.
   (6) Representatives from professional associations relating to
ethnic studies.
   (7) Educators in secondary education.
   (8) Public school board members with expertise in multicultural or
ethnic studies.
   (e) Notwithstanding subdivisions (a) and (d), this act shall not
apply to the University of California, except to the extent that the
Regents of the University of California, by appropriate resolution,
make this section applicable.
   (f) (1) The report to be submitted pursuant to this section shall
be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
   (2) Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, this
section is repealed on January 1, 2019.
  SEC. 2.  The sum of one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars
($125,000) is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the State
Department of Education for the purpose of funding the report
required pursuant to Section 1 of this act.