BILL NUMBER: AB 2353	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member McCarty

                        FEBRUARY 18, 2016

   An act to add Article 3.2 (commencing with Section 44475) to
Chapter 3 of Part 25 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Education Code,
relating to teacher professional development.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2353, as introduced, McCarty. Teacher professional development:
culturally responsive instruction.
   Existing law establishes various programs of professional
development for teachers, including the California Beginning Teacher
Support and Assessment System, and requires the State Department of
Education to issue a request for proposals to contract for the
development of standards for professional development for educators
and instructional leaders.
   This bill would require the department to develop a curriculum for
professional development in covering culturally responsive
instruction and make this curriculum available as part of its
continuing education and professional development programs for
teachers. The bill would state legislative findings and declarations
relating to the importance of culturally responsive teaching.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


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

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) Culture is essential to learning.
   (b) Culture plays a role not only in communicating and receiving
information, but also in shaping the thinking process of groups and
individuals.
   (c) A pedagogy that acknowledges, responds to, and celebrates
fundamental cultures offers full, equitable access to education for
pupils from all cultures.
   (d) Culturally responsive teaching is a pedagogy that recognizes
the importance of including pupils' cultural references in all
aspects of learning.
   (e) Culturally responsive teaching acknowledges the legitimacy of
a pupil's cultural heritage that shapes dispositions and attitudes.
   (f) Culturally responsive teaching builds bridges of
meaningfulness between home and school.
   (g) Culturally responsive teaching uses a wide variety of
instructional strategies that are connected to learning styles.
   (h) Culturally responsive teaching incorporates multicultural
information, books, and other educational resources.
   (i) Culturally responsive teaching promotes the idea of the
classroom family and all pupils are in it together.
   (j) Culturally responsive teaching teaches pupils that they can be
successful and that they are appreciated by educators who have high
expectations of them.
   (k) Culturally responsive teaching develops the social
consciousness of pupils to better handle the world of prejudice and
racism.
  SEC. 2.  Article 3.2 (commencing with Section 44475) is added to
Chapter 3 of Part 25 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Education Code,
to read:

      Article 3.2.  Professional Development in Culturally Responsive
Instruction


   44475.  The department shall develop a curriculum for professional
development in covering culturally responsive instruction and make
this curriculum available as part of the department's continuing
education and professional development programs for teachers.