BILL NUMBER: SB 425	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 6, 2015

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Hernandez

                        FEBRUARY 25, 2015

   An act to amend Sections 52300 and 52500 of the Education Code,
relating to career technical education, and declaring the urgency
thereof, to take effect immediately.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 425, as amended, Hernandez. Career technical education.
   (1) Existing law provides that the Legislature declares that a
regional occupational center will serve the state and national
interests in providing career technical and technical education to
students, including, but not limited to, high school students.
   This bill would instead provide that the Legislature declares that
 the  a  regional occupational center 
and program or a county office of education  will serve the
state and national interests in providing secondary and postsecondary
 programs focused on  career technical and technical
education to those pupils.  The bill would also express
legislative recognition that, for purposes of participating in any
student financial assistance program authorized by a specified
federal statute, the Superintendent of Public Instruction may
certify, by name, a regional occupational center and program or a
county office of education. 
   (2) Existing law requires adult schools and evening high schools
to consist of classes for  adults   adults,
 and authorizes minors to be admitted into those classes
pursuant to policy adopted by the governing board of the school
district and if those minors meet certain eligibility requirements.
   This bill would authorize those classes to include postsecondary
career technical education programs.  The bill would, for
purposes of participation in any student financial assi  
stance program authorized by a specified federal statute, authorize
the Superintendent to certify, by name, an adult school or evening
high school. 
   (3) This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately
as an urgency statute.
   Vote: 2/3. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


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

  SECTION 1.  Section 52300 of the Education Code is amended to read:

   52300.  (a)  (1)    In enacting this article, it
is the intent of the Legislature to provide qualified pupils with
the opportunity to attend a technical school or enroll in a career
technical or technical training program, regardless of the
geographical location of their residence in a county or region.
 The 
    (2)     The  Legislature hereby
declares that a regional occupational center  and program or a
county office of education  will serve the state and national
interests in providing secondary and postsecondary  programs
focused on  career technical and technical education to prepare
pupils for an increasingly technological society in which generalized
training and skills are insufficient to prepare high school pupils
and graduates, and out-of-school youth and adults for the many
employment opportunities that require special or technical training
and skills.  The 
    (3)     The  Legislature also declares
that regional occupational centers  and programs or county
offices of education  will enable a broader curriculum in
technical subjects to be offered, and will avoid unnecessary
duplication of courses and expensive training equipment, and will
provide a flexibility in operation that will facilitate rapid program
adjustments and meeting changing training needs as they arise.
   (b) It is recognized by the Legislature that career technical
programs may achieve great flexibility of planning,  scope
  scope,  and operation by the conduct of these
programs in a variety of physical facilities at various training
locations.
   (c) It is the further intent of the Legislature that regional
occupational centers and programs  or county offices of education
 provide career technical and occupational instruction related
to the attainment of skills so that trainees are prepared for gainful
employment in the area for which training was provided, or are
upgraded so they have the higher level skills required because of new
and changing technologies or so that they are prepared for
enrollment in more advanced training programs. 
   (d) The Legislature further recognizes that, for purposes of
participation in any student financial assistance program authorized
by Title IV of the federal Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended
(20 U.S.C. Sec. 1070 et seq.), the Superintendent may certify, by
name, a regional occupational center and program or a county office
of education. 
  SEC. 2.  Section 52500 of the Education Code is amended to read:
   52500.   (a)    Adult schools and evening high
schools shall consist of classes for  adults  
adults,  and may include postsecondary career technical
education programs. Minors may be admitted to those classes pursuant
to board policy and Section 52500.1. 
   (b) For purposes of participation in any student financial
assistance program authorized by Title IV of the federal Higher
Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1070 et seq.), the
Superintendent may certify, by name, an adult school or an evening
high school. 
  SEC. 3.  This act is an urgency statute necessary for the immediate
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety within the
meaning of Article IV of the Constitution and shall go into immediate
effect. The facts constituting the necessity are:
   In order for regional occupational  centers and  programs
 , county offices of education, adult schools, and evening high
schools  to satisfy federal requirements in order to participate
in federal student aid programs, it is necessary for this act to
take effect immediately.