BILL NUMBER: SB 359	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Mitchell
   (Coauthor: Assembly Member Jones-Sawyer)

                        FEBRUARY 24, 2015

   An act to add Section 51224.7 to the Education Code, relating to
pupil instruction.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 359, as introduced, Mitchell. Fair Mathematics and Academic
Placement Act of 2015.
   (1) Existing law establishes a system of public elementary and
secondary education in this state, and authorizes local educational
agencies throughout the state to provide instruction to pupils.
   This bill would enact the Fair Mathematics and Academic Placement
Act of 2015. The bill would express findings and declarations of the
Legislature relating to the importance of pupil achievement in
mathematics. The bill would require the Superintendent of Public
Instruction to develop and establish a fair, objective, and
transparent statewide mathematics and academic placement policy with
specified elements and would require school districts to implement
that policy. To the extent that the bill would impose new duties on
school districts, it would constitute a state-mandated local program.

   (2) 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.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) Pupil achievement in mathematics is important to prepare
pupils for college and their future careers, especially those careers
in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics.
   (b) A pupil's 9th grade math course placement is a crucial
crossroads for his or her future educational success. Misplacement in
the sequence of mathematics courses creates a number of barriers,
and results in pupils being less competitive for college admissions.
   (c) The most egregious examples of mathematics misplacement often
occur with successful pupils and, disproportionately, with successful
pupils of color. Often, these successful pupils of underrepresented
populations are achieving grades of "B" or better, or are testing at
proficient or even advanced proficiency levels on state assessments,
but are nevertheless held back to repeat 8th grade mathematics
coursework rather than advancing to the next course in the
recommended mathematics course sequence.
  SEC. 2.  Section 51224.7 is added to the Education Code, to read:
   51224.7.  (a) This act shall be known, and may be cited, as the
Fair Mathematics and Academic Placement Act of 2015.
   (b) The Superintendent shall develop and establish a fair,
objective, and transparent statewide mathematics and academic
placement policy that shall include at least all of the following
elements:
   (1) Systematically take multiple objective measures into
consideration, such as diagnostic placement tests, statewide
assessments, pupil grades, and pupil work.
   (2) Include multiple progress checkpoints through the academic
year to permit the reevaluation of pupil progress.
   (3) Require periodic examination of pupil placement data to ensure
that there is no disproportionate impact in the course placement of
pupils by race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic background.
   (4) Be readily available to pupils and parents, and offer clear
recourse for pupils and parents who question placement decisions.
   (c) School districts shall implement the statewide mathematics and
academic placement policy established by the Superintendent pursuant
to subdivision (a).
  SEC. 3.  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.