BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1223
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Date of Hearing: January 21, 2010
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Kevin De Leon, Chair
AB 1223 (Block) - As Amended: January 15, 2010
Policy Committee: Education
Vote:7-2
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY
This bill encourages the Commission on Teacher Credentialing
(CTC) to convene a workgroup to develop program standards to
recognize linked learning competence for holders of a single
subject teaching credential. Specifically, this bill:
1)Defines "recognition of study" as a statement added to a
credential recognizing that the credential holder has
completed a CTC approved course of study in the area listed.
2)Defines "linked learning programs" as programs and pathways
that ensure all pupils have curriculum choices to prepare them
for career entry and a full range of postsecondary options,
including two and four year colleges, apprenticeship, and
formal employment training, including California Partnership
Academies.
3)Expresses legislative intent that a successful candidate for a
recognition of study for linked learning programs demonstrate
knowledge of industry and postsecondary educational
partnerships; ongoing professional learning; worked-based
learning approaches; career exposure and development; state
academic and career technical education standards; and an
emphasis on integrated program and project-based learning.
4)Encourages the California State University (CSU) and other
teacher preparation institutions to establish goals for
increasing the number of teachers prepared through linked
learning programs. This measure also encourages the Beginning
Teacher Support and Assessment program to provide resources to
teachers that support professional development opportunities
AB 1223
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related to linked learning, as specified.
FISCAL EFFECT
Minor absorbable GF costs to the CTC to convene a workgroup, as
specified in this measure.
COMMENTS
1)Purpose . AB 2648 (Bass), Chapter 681, Statutes of 2008,
defined "multiple pathway" programs as multi-year,
comprehensive high school programs of integrated academic and
technical study organized around a broad theme, interest area,
or industry sector. This program ensures that all pupils have
curriculum choices to prepare them for career entry and a full
range of postsecondary options, including two and four year
colleges, apprenticeship, and formal employment training,
Proponents of multiple pathway programs have developed a new
term, "linked learning," to refer to these programs. Teachers
who instruct pupils in these programs often work with outside
educators and members of the local business community to
develop curriculum. As a result of this collaboration, many
teachers utilize project-based curriculum strategies and
work-based learning approaches.
According to the author, "Many pupils are better able to
master a subject involving technical skills when they are
enrolled in courses that use hands-on experiential learning to
show how academic knowledge is used to solve real world
problems. Work has been done to encourage the exploration of
multiple pathways, a teaching method of instruction that
prepares students for postsecondary success and career
development. The issuance of a "recognition of study" in
multiple pathways/linked learning would increase the pool of
qualified instructors in the area without disenfranchising
current single-subject credential holders."
2)Existing law establishes a single subject teaching credential,
which authorizes the holder to teach the specific subject(s)
named on the credential in departmentalized classes such as
those in most middle schools and high schools.
3)AB 2648 (Bass), Chapter 681, Statutes of 2008 , required the
SPI to develop a report that explores the feasibility of
AB 1223
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establishing and expanding multiple pathway programs in high
schools, including the costs and merits associated with
expansion of these programs. On January 5, 2010, the SPI
released a draft of this report. The public has until January
15, 2010 to provide formal comments to the SPI on the draft
report. The final report is expected in the spring of 2010.
Analysis Prepared by : Kimberly Rodriguez / APPR. / (916)
319-2081