BILL NUMBER: AB 1223	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 10, 2010
	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
multi-year 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
authorize the commission to convene a workgroup consisting of
specified members to develop program standards for the issuance of a
recognition of study  in linked learning  , 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 pupils' mastery of academic
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 academic and career 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) Pupil learning is enhanced when pupils are enrolled in courses
that use hands-on experiential learning to exemplify how academic
knowledge is used to solve real-world 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) Academic teachers and career technical education teachers
collaborate to provide linked learning educational programs to
pupils.  
   (3) Teacher credential candidates have opportunities to learn
pedagogical strategies to ensure pupil success in linked learning
programs. 
   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 in linked learning" is a statement added
to a single subject teaching credential recognizing that the
credential holder has completed a commission-approved program in
linked learning teaching methods that can be applied to the academic
instruction authorized by their credential. A recognition of study in
linked learning teacher preparation program may be offered as part
of an initial teacher preparation program or as a separate program
for previously credentialed teachers.
   (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 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 teacher preparation programs, including at least one
representative from the California State University, the University
of California, and independent institutions of higher education. To
the extent practicable, representatives should have an academic
interest or prior experience in preparing teachers to teach in linked
learning programs.
   (3) The business community, including representatives from local
chambers of commerce.
   (4) School districts, county offices of education, and charter
schools that have implemented linked learning programs, California
partnership academies, or other similar programs that integrate core
academic subject and industry applications.
   (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 determined by
the commission based upon the recommendations of the workgroup
convened pursuant to subdivision (b). Within the context of the
academic content standards in kindergarten and any of grades 1 to 12,
inclusive, this knowledge may include, but is not limited to, an
understanding of the following:
   (1) How to develop and maintain industry and postsecondary
educational partnerships.
   (2) Ongoing professional learning.
   (3) Work-based learning strategies.
   (4) Career exposure and development.
   (5) Interdisciplinary collaboration and project-based teaching
methods.
   (6) California Career Technical Education Model Curriculum
Standards adopted by the State Board of Education.
   (e) With respect to any recognition of study for linked learning
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) Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment programs are
encouraged to provide appropriate support, mentoring, and assistance
to beginning teachers who are teaching in linked learning programs,
including candidates who are in 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.
   (h) The holder of a single-subject teaching credential receiving a
recognition of study in linked learning pursuant to subdivision (b)
is not authorized to teach subject matter content unless he or she
holds an appropriate authorization or is employed on the basis of a
legal assignment option.  
  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 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.