SB 300, Hancock. Instructional materials: revised curriculum frameworks: science and English language arts.
Existing law prohibits the State Board of Education from adopting instructional materials until the 2015-16 school year, except for requiring the state board to adopt, among other things, revised curriculum frameworks and evaluation criteria for English language arts that are aligned to certain adopted content standards no later than May 30, 2014.
This bill would require the state board to consider the adoption of a revised curriculum framework and evaluation criteria for instructional materials in science on or before January 31, 2016, and would require the revised curriculum framework to be based on specified science content standards and to include English language development strategies, as specified, and strategies to address the needs of pupils with disabilities. The bill would also extend the deadline for the state board to adopt revised curriculum frameworks and evaluation criteria for English language arts until July 30, 2014.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) California has committed itself to adopting new science standards based on the Next Generation Science Standards. Under current law, the State Board of Education must adopt, reject, or modify the new science standards by November 30, 2013.
(b) Curriculum frameworks provide necessary support for teachers, administrators, and the public for the implementation of content standards. Development of curriculum frameworks in science is currently suspended through July 1, 2015, pursuant to Section 60200.7 of the Education Code.
(c) The adoption of an updated curriculum framework does not mandate the purchase of new instructional materials for local educational agencies.
Section 60200.9 is added to the Education Code, to read:
Notwithstanding Section 60200.7, on or before January 31, 2016, the state board shall consider the adoption of a revised curriculum framework and evaluation criteria for instructional materials in science. The revised curriculum framework shall be based on the science content standards adopted pursuant to Section 60605.85. In adopting the revised curriculum framework, the state board shall ensure both of the following:
(a) Inclusion of English language development strategies that are aligned to the standards adopted pursuant to Section 60811.
(b) Inclusion of strategies to address the needs of pupils with disabilities.
Section 60207 of the Education Code is amended to read:
(a) Notwithstanding Section 60200.7, the state board shall adopt both of the following:
(1) Revised curriculum frameworks and evaluation criteria that are aligned to the content standards adopted pursuant to Section 60605.8 for English language arts no later than July 30, 2014.
(2) Revised curriculum frameworks that are aligned to the content standards adopted pursuant to Section 60605.8 for mathematics no later than November 30, 2013.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 60200.7, the state board may adopt instructional materials for kindergarten and grades 1 to 8, inclusive, that are aligned to the content standards adopted pursuant to Section 60605.8 for mathematics no later than March 30, 2014.
(1) For purposes of adopting instructional materials for mathematics pursuant to this subdivision, the state board may adopt evaluation criteria for mathematics no later than March 31, 2013. The criteria may allow for the adoption of materials that have been reviewed and adopted by another state that has adopted the common core academic content standards.
(2) Instructional materials adopted pursuant to this subdivision shall remain adopted until the next statewide adoption of instructional materials for mathematics.
(c) State board policies shall ensure that the English language arts curriculum frameworks for kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive, and instructional materials for kindergarten and grades 1 to 8, inclusive, include the English language development standards as adopted by the state board in 1997 and revised thereafter, and English language development strategies in the core subjects of mathematics, science, and history-social science.
(d) State board policies shall ensure that curriculum frameworks for kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive, and instructional materials for kindergarten and grades 1 to 8, inclusive, include strategies to address the needs of pupils with disabilities in the four core subjects of mathematics, science, history-social science, and English language arts.
(e) Each curriculum framework that the state board adopts shall describe, to the extent the state board deems appropriate, the manner in which content can be delivered to intentionally build all of the following skills into and across each content area:
(1) Creativity and innovation, including, but not limited to, thinking creatively, working creatively with others, and implementing innovations.
(2) Critical thinking and problem solving, including, but not limited to, reasoning effectively, using systems thinking, making judgments and decisions, and solving problems.
(3) Collaboration, including, but not limited to, working effectively in diverse teams, adapting to change and being flexible, demonstrating initiative and self-direction, working independently, demonstrating productivity and accountability, and demonstrating leadership and responsibility.
(4) Communication, including, but not limited to, communicating clearly and effectively through reading, writing, and speaking.
(5) Construction and exploration of new understandings of knowledge through the integration of content from one subject area to another to provide pupils with multiple modes for demonstrating innovative learning.
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