BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 2072
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Date of Hearing: May 11, 2016
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Lorena Gonzalez, Chair
AB
2072 (Chang) - As Amended April 27, 2016
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill establishes the State Seal of STEM to recognize high
school graduates who have attained proficiency in fields of
study within the subjects of science, technology, engineering,
and mathematics (STEM). The State Seal of STEM is awarded by the
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Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) and school district
participation in this program is voluntary. Specifically, this
bill:
1)Specifies that the State Seal of STEM certifies that a
graduating high school pupil has attained proficiency in STEM
and has met certain criteria in math and science, including:
attainment of a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for
STEM courses taken in high school; successful completion of
four year-long courses in mathematics and science, as
specified; and high achievement, as specified, on certain
examinations, including, advanced placement exams, SAT subject
tests, international baccalaureate exams or state standards
aligned assessments.
2)Requires the SPI prepare and deliver to participating school
districts an appropriate insignia to be affixed to the diploma
or transcript of the pupil indicating that the pupil has been
awarded a State Seal of STEM by the SPI and other information
as necessary.
3)Requires a school district that participates in the program to
maintain appropriate records to identify pupils who have
earned a State Seal of STEM and affix the appropriate insignia
to the diploma or transcript of each pupil who earns a State
Seal of STEM.
4)Prohibits fees from being charged to pupils that receive a
State Seal of STEM.
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5)Makes operation of the Seal of STEM contingent upon the
availability of data from the statewide administration of
state science assessments.
6)Repeals the program on January 1, 2025.
FISCAL EFFECT:
1)Administrative costs to the California Department of Education
of approximately $98,000 GF annually to administer the program
through January 1, 2025.
2)Any expenses incurred by school districts would likely be
minor, and would be incurred only to the extent they choose to
participate.
COMMENTS:
1)Purpose. This bill is modeled after the State Seal of
Biliteracy created in 2011. The author states that biliteracy
is a skill highly desirable to employers in a diverse area
like California, but so is STEM. According to the author, the
State Seal of STEM will serve as both a reward and marketing
tool to a different pool of California students. The
requirements necessary to earn the State Seal of STEM go
beyond that of standard curriculum and require the students to
not only thrive in their STEM course but also demonstrate
proficiency through additional learning opportunities in and
out of the classroom.
AB 2072
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Analysis Prepared by:Misty Feusahrens / APPR. / (916)
319-2081