BILL NUMBER: AB 1223 AMENDED
BILL TEXT
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY JANUARY 25, 2010
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY JANUARY 15, 2010
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY JANUARY 4, 2010
INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Block
(Principal coauthor: Senator Wiggins)
FEBRUARY 27, 2009
An act to add Section 44257.3 to the Education Code, relating to
linked learning.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 1223, as amended, Block. Linked learning.
Existing law authorizes the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to
issue various types of teaching credentials and authorizations.
Existing law establishes multiple pathway programs, which are
multiyear comprehensive high school programs of integrated academic
and technical study that are organized around a broad theme, interest
area, or industry sector. Multiple pathway programs are comprised,
among other things, of an integrated core curriculum that meets the
eligibility requirements for admission to the University of
California and the California State University and is delivered
through project-based learning and other engaging instructional
strategies that intentionally bring real-world context and relevance
to the curriculum where broad themes, interest areas, and career
technical education are emphasized.
This bill would define "linked learning programs," and would
encourage authorize the commission to
convene a workgroup consisting of specified members to develop
program standards for the issuance of a recognition of study, as
defined, for linked learning competence for holders of a single
subject teaching credential who will be teaching pupils enrolled in
linked learning programs, as specified. The bill would authorize the
commission to work with the Superintendent of Public Instruction to
gather and post, on an appropriate Internet Web site, best practices
from school districts and schools on curriculum development and
professional development relating to implementing and sustaining
multiple pathway programs.
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) California's economy is reliant upon a continually growing
skilled and educated workforce.
(b) California needs to increase its pupils' mastery of subject
matters, and to improve its high school graduation and postsecondary
education attainment rates.
(c) Secondary education needs to engage pupils while
simultaneously preparing them for real choices after high school.
(d) There is inherent educational value in both academic and
career technical coursework, and both should be promoted. When linked
and delivered in ways that mutually reinforce one another, both
academic and career technical courses are strengthened.
(e) All pupils should have equal access to schools and programs
that offer linked coursework. Pupils need a range of educational
experiences to prepare them for success beyond high school.
(f) A foundation of academic knowledge, general workplace
competencies, and occupationally specific knowledge and skills enable
pupils to better access all postsecondary options.
(g) Most pupils achieve better subject mastery and technological
skills when they are enrolled in courses that use hands-on
experiential learning to exemplify how academic knowledge is used to
solve real-world and industry-based problems.
(h) It is the intent of the Legislature that all of the following
occur:
(1) High school courses provide pupils with linked learning
experiences that will prepare them for the full range of
postsecondary success.
(2) Teachers employ pedagogical strategies that will ensure pupil
success in linked learning educational programs.
(3) The state seeks to increase the number of teachers to provide
quality programs that link subject matter knowledge with career
technical knowledge and experience.
SEC. 2. Section 44257.3 is added to the Education Code, to read:
44257.3. (a) For purposes of this section, the following
definitions apply:
(1) "Recognition of study" is a statement added to a credential
recognizing that the credentialholder has completed a
commission-approved course of study in the subject area listed.
(2) "Linked learning programs" are programs and pathways described
in Section 52372.5 and may include, but are not limited to,
California partnership academies.
(b) The commission is encouraged to may
convene a workgroup to develop program standards for the
issuance of a recognition of study for linked learning competence for
holders of a single subject teaching credential who will be teaching
pupils enrolled in linked learning programs pursuant to Section
52372.5.
(c) Members of the workgroup shall include, but are not limited
to, representatives from:
(1) The department.
(2) Approved university teacher preparation programs, including at
least one representative from the San Diego State University.
(3) The business community, including representatives from local
chambers of commerce.
(4) Schools and school districts that have implemented multiple
pathway programs or similar programs, including California
partnership academies.
(5) Other organizations as deemed appropriate by the commission.
(d) It is the intent of the Legislature that a successful
candidate for a recognition of study developed pursuant to
subdivision (b) demonstrate appropriate knowledge, as decided upon by
the workgroup convened pursuant to subdivision (b). This knowledge
may include, but is not limited to, an understanding of the
following:
(1) Industry and postsecondary educational partnerships.
(2) Ongoing professional learning, including industry-specific
orientation.
(3) Work-based learning approaches.
(4) Career exposure and development.
(5) Interdisciplinary problem- and project-based structure and
content.
(6) State academic and career technical education standards.
(7) The Partnership for 21st Century Skills' Framework for 21st
Century Learning.
(8) Industry-based applications.
(9) A pupil-centered teaching approach.
(10) An emphasis on integrated problem- and project-based
learning.
(e) With respect to any recognition of study issued pursuant to
subdivision (b), the California State University and other teacher
preparation institutions are encouraged to establish goals for
increasing the number of teachers prepared through linked learning
programs.
(f) The Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment program is
encouraged to provide resources to teachers that support professional
development opportunities relating to linked learning, which may
include, but are not limited to, providing teachers with externships.
(g) The commission may work with the Superintendent to gather and
post, on an appropriate Internet Web site, best practices from school
districts and schools on curriculum development and professional
development relating to implementing and sustaining multiple pathway
programs.