BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1463
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Date of Hearing: April 29, 2009
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Julia Brownley, Chair
AB 1463 (Smyth) - As Amended: April 16, 2009
SUBJECT : High school graduation: military uniforms.
SUMMARY : Allows a pupil who has fulfilled all high school
graduation requirements and has completed basic training of any
branch of the United States military to wear his or her dress
uniform in his or her graduation ceremony.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Establishes the following minimum high school graduation
requirements for pupils in grades 9-12, inclusive:
a) Three years of English;
b) Two years of math;
c) Two years of science;
d) Three years of social studies, including a one-semester
course in American government and civics and a one-semester
course in economics;
e) One course in visual or performing arts or foreign
language;
f) Two courses in physical education; and,
g) Other coursework that the governing board of the school
district may specify.
2)Requires pupils to successfully pass the high school exit exam
as a condition of receiving a diploma of graduation.
3)Requires, commencing with the 2003-04 school year and each
year thereafter, at least one course, or a combination of the
two courses, in mathematics required to be completed by pupils
while in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, prior to receiving a
diploma of graduation from high school, meet or exceed the
rigor of the content standards for Algebra I, as adopted by
AB 1463
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the State Board of Education.
FISCAL EFFECT : This bill is keyed non-fiscal.
COMMENTS : Current Education Code makes no reference to
graduation dress requirements. Such decisions are controlled
locally and can vary from district to district, and even from
school to school within the same district. Traditional dress
for high school graduation is a cap and gown that represents
school colors. It is up to each individual student whether he
or she chooses to walk in his or her high school graduation
ceremony and receiving one's diploma is not contingent on
participating in the ceremony.
According to the author, this bill was motivated by a student
who completed his graduation requirements early and left to
complete basic training for the United States Marine Corps
before his high school graduation ceremony date. When he asked
if he could wear his military dress uniform to the ceremony, the
principal of the high school denied his request.
While the principal later changed his ruling and the school
district amended its graduation dress policy to grant his
request, there is no protection in place for similarly situated
students across the state. This bill would grant students the
right to wear their military dress uniform and supersede any
local policies by school districts and administrators of what
constitutes appropriate ceremonial dress. The author believes
that this bill will show gratitude to the dedicated students who
have graduated early and chosen to serve their country in the
military. Accordingly, staff recommends an amendment to clarify
that this bill only applies to students who are active members
of the armed forces at the time of their graduation ceremony.
While no specific data was found on the number of students who
may be affected by this legislation, the number is assumed to be
relatively small. The student would have had to graduate early
and complete eight-week basic training. If the student is a
minor, he or she would have had to receive parental consent to
enlist in the military.
Potential issues to consider include whether similar protections
should be granted to students who choose to wear other dress
during their high school graduation ceremony for religious or
cultural reasons.
AB 1463
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REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
None on file.
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by : Irene Ho / ED. / (916) 319-2087