BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 2353 Page 1 GOVERNOR'S VETO AB 2353 (McCarty) As Enrolled August 31, 2016 2/3 vote -------------------------------------------------------------------- |ASSEMBLY: |78-0 |(May 31, 2016) |SENATE: |36-0 |(August 19, | | | | | | |2016) | -------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------- |ASSEMBLY: |80-0 |(August 24, | | | | | | |2016) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | -------------------------------------------------------------------- Original Committee Reference: ED. SUMMARY: Requires the California Department of Education (CDE) to identify professional development programs in culturally responsive instruction and provide links to those programs on its Web site. The Senate amendments strike language permitting local education agencies to include the extent to which teachers have received or are receiving professional development related to culturally responsive instruction as a measure of school climate for purposes of the Local Control and Accountability Plan; and strike language permitting local education agencies and the AB 2353 Page 2 state special schools to use specified professional development funds for professional development in culturally responsive instruction. EXISTING LAW: 1)Provides for a Crosscultural, Language, and Academic Development (CLAD) Certificate, which requires preparation in culture and cultural diversity. 2)Requires coursework in culturally responsive education to be included in teacher and school administrator preparation programs. 3)Requires beginning teachers to complete an induction program prior to receiving a clear credential, and requires induction programs to include culturally responsive instruction. FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, CDE estimates about $150,000 one-time General Fund for experts to review and identify programs to post online and for CDE staff to support the project. These costs include the substitute reimbursements and travel costs for 20 volunteer teachers to serve as reviewers for three days and for four content experts. To the extent that the intent of this bill could also be met with consultation of a select few experts and a comparable reduction in administrative oversight, costs to the state would be less. COMMENTS: Need for the bill. According to the author's office, the current structure for ensuring that teachers receive appropriate training in cultural competency "does not include strategies for AB 2353 Page 3 those who seek employment in a school district where racial and cultural makeup of the student body vastly differ from the school district where they were trained in their core competencies. This lack of training is also apparent when teachers pursue teaching opportunities in California who are from other states or other countries. Further, there is a need to address the training needs of teachers and administrators who have been working in the educational system for some time and may not have received the level of cultural competency training appropriate to meet their local district needs."GOVERNOR'S VETO MESSAGE: I am returning Assembly Bill 2353 without my signature. This bill requires the California Department of Education to identify professional development programs in culturally responsive instruction and provide links to those programs on its website. Clearly, it's important to train teachers in cultural competency, which is why California's teacher preparation programs provide instruction on this issue. The Department currently provides resources and links related to culturally responsive instruction on its website. If this information needs to be enhanced or expanded, I'm confident the Superintendent can handle that request without this bill. Analysis Prepared by: Rick Pratt / ED. / (916) 319-2087 FN: 0005132 AB 2353 Page 4