BILL ANALYSIS
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THIRD READING
Bill No: ACR 89
Author: Galgiani (D) and Portantino (D), et al
Amended: 9/9/09 in Assembly
Vote: 21
WITHOUT REFERENCE TO COMMITTEE OR FILE
ASSEMBLY FLOOR : Read and adopted, 9/9/09
SUBJECT : Italian American Heritage Month
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This resolution designates the month of October
2009 and every October thereafter as Italian American
Heritage Month and encourages public schools to highlight
and include Italian American achievements and contributions
to the culture of California and to take steps to promote
the inclusion of the role and contributions of Italian
Americans to the culture and history of California and the
United States in elementary and secondary social science
textbooks during the revision process for those textbooks.
This resolution makes several findings and declarations
regarding Italian Americans and their contributions to
California and U.S. History.
ANALYSIS :
Existing Law
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1.Provides that the adopted course of study in grades one
through 12 for instruction in social sciences shall
include the early history of California and a study of
the role and contributions of both men and women, black
Americans, American Indians, Mexicans, Asians, Pacific
Island people, and other ethnic groups to the economic,
political, and social development of California and the
U.S., with particular emphasis on portraying the role of
these groups in contemporary society.
2.Requires the Curriculum Development and Supplemental
Materials Commission to recommend curriculum frameworks
to the State Board of Education (SBE) and develop
criteria for evaluating instructional materials submitted
for adoption so that the materials adopted adequately
cover the subjects in the indicated grade levels.
3.Prohibits the SBE from adopting instructional materials
or conduct other procedures associated with the adoption
of textbooks until the 2013-2014 school year and
specifies that local education agencies are not required
to purchase instructional materials through fiscal year
2012-13.
Comments
According to the Assembly Third Reading analysis:
The History-Social Science Content Standards require
inclusion of ethnic groups, including Italians and Italian
Americans, in the discussion of historical events
throughout all grade levels. For example, the 11th grade
standards on the topic of America's participation in World
War II state:
"Discuss the constitutional issues and impact of events
on the U.S. home front, including the internment of
Japanese Americans (e.g., Fred Korematsu v. United
States of America ) and the restrictions on German and
Italian resident aliens; the response of the
administration to Hitler's atrocities against Jews and
other groups; the roles of women in military
production; and the roles and growing political demand
of African Americans."
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Current law provides a certain level of flexibility in
the social scien" not specifically mentioned in statute,
to be included in the social science curriculum.
The resolution highlights examples of Italian American
achievements and contributions such as that of Bay Area
native Amedeo Pietro "A.P." Giannini, who established the
first branch banking system in the U.S. known as Bank of
America, and of Andrea Sbarboro who is credited as one of
the major founders of the California wine industry. The
resolution further highlights Italian Americans in the
movie industry, such as Danny DeVito, John Travolta, Vito
Russo, Isabella Rosellini and Liza Minelli among others.
Prior Legislation
ACR 145 (Portantino), Resolution Chapter 125, Statutes of
2008 . Designated the month of October as Italian American
Heritage Month and encouraged public schools to highlight
Italian American achievements and contributions to the
culture of California and to take steps to promote the
inclusion of the achievements and contributions of Italian
Americans to U.S. and California history in elementary and
secondary textbooks during the revision process for those
textbooks.
AB 1863 (Portantino), 2007-08 Session . Expressed the
encouragement of the Legislature for schools to include the
role and contribution of Italian Americans to the economic,
political, and social development of California and the
U.S. in the instruction of social sciences, and encouraged
the SBE to include the role and contribution of Italian
Americans to the economic, political, and social
development of California and the U.S. in the social
sciences curriculum frameworks at the next revision of
those frameworks. AB 1863 was vetoed by Governor
Schwarzenegger with the following veto message:
"While I respect the author's intent to recognize the
role of Italian Americans in California and United
State history, I have consistently vetoed legislation
that has attempted to include specific details or
events into areas of instruction. The State Board of
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Education adopted content standards are developed by a
diverse group of experts and are intentionally broad in
order to allow coverage of various events,
developments, and issues. I continue to believe that
the State should establish rigorous academic standards
and frameworks, but refrain from being overly
prescriptive in specific school curriculum."
AB 390 (Canciamilla), 2005-06 Session . Provided that the
SBE, at the next revision of curriculum frameworks in
social sciences shall include the role and contribution
of Italian Americans to the economic, political, and
social development of California and the U.S. AB 390 was
sent to the Governor's desk in 2006 but was returned to
the Assembly prior to action taken by the Governor and
was held on the Assembly Floor.
FISCAL EFFECT : Fiscal Com.: No
TSM:cm 9/10/09 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: NONE RECEIVED
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