BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 2072 Page 1 Date of Hearing: May 11, 2016 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Lorena Gonzalez, Chair AB 2072 (Chang) - As Amended April 27, 2016 ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Policy |Education |Vote:|7 - 0 | |Committee: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |-------------+-------------------------------+-----+-------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |-------------+-------------------------------+-----+-------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 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 AB 2072 Page 2 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. AB 2072 Page 3 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 Page 4 Analysis Prepared by:Misty Feusahrens / APPR. / (916) 319-2081