BILL NUMBER: AB 220	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Holden

                        FEBRUARY 3, 2015

   An act to amend Section 51224.5 of the Education Code, relating to
pupil instruction.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 220, as introduced, Holden. Pupil instruction: mathematics:
algebra.
   Existing law requires the adopted course of study for grades 7 to
12, inclusive, to include courses in mathematics, including algebra.
Existing law requires a pupil to complete 2 courses in mathematics in
grades 9 to 12, inclusive, in order to receive a diploma of
graduation from high school, and provides that at least one of these
courses, or a combination of the 2 courses, shall meet or exceed the
rigor of the content standards for Algebra I, as adopted by the State
Board of Education. Existing law exempts a pupil in grades 9 to 12,
inclusive, from the requirement that he or she complete a course that
meets or exceeds the rigor of the content standards for Algebra I,
as adopted by the state board, if that pupil, before enrolling in
grade 9, completes coursework in algebra that meets or exceeds the
rigor of the content standards for Algebra I, as adopted by the state
board.
   This bill would delete the requirement that at least one of the
mathematics courses, or a combination of 2 of the mathematics
courses, required for graduation shall meet or exceed the rigor of
the content standards for Algebra I. The bill would instead require,
before a pupil receives a diploma of graduation from high school,
that a pupil complete a course in Algebra I or Mathematics I, or a
course of equal rigor, that is aligned to the content standards
adopted by the state board. The bill would provide that a pupil who
completes coursework in algebra before the 2017-18 school year that
meets or exceeds the content standards for Algebra I adopted by the
state board shall be deemed to have satisfied the Algebra I or
Mathematics I graduation requirement. The bill would also exempt from
the Algebra I or Mathematics I graduation requirement those pupils
who completed a course in Algebra I or Mathematics I, or a course of
equal rigor, that is aligned to content standards adopted by the
state board, before enrollment in grade 9.
   To the extent that the bill would impose new duties on school
districts, it would constitute a state-mandated local program.
   The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
   This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates
determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state,
reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these
statutory provisions.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: yes.


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

  SECTION 1.  Section 51224.5 of the Education Code is amended to
read:
   51224.5.  (a) The adopted course of study for grades 7 to 12,
inclusive, shall include algebra as part of the mathematics area of
study pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 51220. 
   (b) Commencing with the 2003-04 school year and each year
thereafter, at least one course, or a combination of the two courses,
in mathematics required to be completed pursuant to subparagraph (B)
of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 51225.3 by pupils
while in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, prior to receiving a diploma of
graduation from high school, shall meet or exceed the rigor of the
content standards for Algebra I, as adopted by the State Board of
Education pursuant to Section 60605.  
   (b) Before receiving a diploma of graduation from high school, a
pupil shall complete a course in Algebra I or Mathematics I, or a
course of equal rigor, that is aligned to the content standards
adopted by the state board.
   (c) A pupil who,  prior to   before 
enrollment in grade 9, completes  coursework in algebra that
meets or exceeds the rigor of the content standards for Algebra I, as
  a course in Algebra I or Mathematics I, or a course
of equal rigor, that is aligned to the content standards 
adopted by the  State Board of Education,  
state board,  is exempt from subdivision (b), but is not exempt
from the requirement that the pupil complete two courses in
mathematics while enrolled in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, as specified
in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section
51225.3. 
   (d) A pupil who completes coursework in algebra before the 2017-18
school year that meets or exceeds the content standards for Algebra
I adopted by the state board pursuant to Section 60605, as that
section read on June 30, 2011, shall be deemed to have satisfied the
graduation requirement specified in subdivision (b). 
  SEC. 2.  If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this
act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local
agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant
to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of
the Government Code.