BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    Ó



                                                                            



           ----------------------------------------------------------------- 
          |SENATE RULES COMMITTEE            |                         SR 60|
          |Office of Senate Floor Analyses   |                              |
          |1020 N Street, Suite 524          |                              |
          |(916) 651-1520         Fax: (916) |                              |
          |327-4478                          |                              |
           ----------------------------------------------------------------- 
           
                                           
                                    THIRD READING


          Bill No:  SR 60
          Author:   Mitchell (D), Beall (D), Hancock (D), Hill (D), and  
          Jackson (D)
          Amended:  As introduced
          Vote:     Majority

           
           SUBJECT  :    Relative to mathematics misplacement

           SOURCE  :     Silicon Valley Community Foundation


           DIGEST  :    This resolution asks local school boards to develop,  
          adopt, and monitor a fair, objective, and transparent  
          mathematics placement policy.

           ANALYSIS  :    This resolution makes the following legislative  
          findings:

          1.Pupil achievement in mathematics is important to prepare  
            pupils for college and their future careers, especially those  
            careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and  
            mathematics.

          2.A pupil's 9th grade math course placement is a crucial  
            crossroad for future educational success.  Misplacement in the  
            sequence of mathematics courses creates a number of barriers  
            and results in pupils being less competitive for college  
            admission.

          3.The most egregious examples of mathematics misplacement often  
            occur with successful pupils and, disproportionately, with  
            successful pupils of color.  These successful pupils of  
                                                                CONTINUED





                                                                      SR 60
                                                                     Page  
          2

            underrepresented populations are achieving a "B" grade or  
            better, or are testing at proficient or even advanced  
            proficiency on state assessments, but are, nevertheless, held  
            back to repeat 8th grade mathematics coursework rather than  
            advancing to the next course in the recommended mathematics  
            course sequence.

          4.With these increasingly complex mathematics standards, it is  
            crucial for teachers and guidance personnel to advice pupils  
            and parents about the importance of accurate course placement  
            and its impact on future college eligibility so that a pupil  
            can take each of the courses in the mathematics sequence, and  
            must be addressed to ensure the success of all students.

          This resolution asks local school boards to develop, adopt, and  
          monitor a fair, objective, and transparent mathematics placement  
          policy.

           FISCAL EFFECT  :    Fiscal Com.:  No

           SUPPORT  :   (Verified  8/21/14)

          Silicon Valley Community Foundation (source)


          PQ:k  8/21/14   Senate Floor Analyses 

                           SUPPORT/OPPOSITION:  SEE ABOVE

                                   ****  END  ****