BILL NUMBER: AB 1741	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Coto

                        FEBRUARY 8, 2010

   An act to amend, repeal, and add Sections 51225.3 and 51224.5 of,
and to add Section 51224.7 to, the Education Code, relating to high
school graduation requirements.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1741, as introduced, Coto. High school graduation requirements.

   Existing law prescribes the course of study a pupil is required to
complete while in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, in order to receive a
diploma of graduation that includes least 2 courses in mathematics
and 2 courses in science.
   This bill, commencing with the 2014-15 school year, would require
a pupil to complete 3 courses in mathematics, at least one of which
meets or exceeds the rigor of the content standards for algebra II,
trigonometry, precalculus, calculus, or statistics and probability,
as adopted by the state board. The bill, commencing with the 2014-15
school year, would also require a pupil to complete 3 courses in
science, at least one of which meets or exceeds the rigor of the
content standards for chemistry, engineering, physics, or computer
science, as adopted by the state board. The bill would set forth
specified findings and declarations of the Legislature. By imposing
additional duties on local educational agencies, the bill would
impose a state-mandated local program.
   The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
   This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates
determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state,
reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these
statutory provisions.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: yes.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  (a) The Legislature finds and declares as follows:
   (1) California is cited as having among the highest educational
achievement standards in the nation. However, all of California's
pupils are not enrolled in the courses exemplified by California's
high standards.
   (2) California ranks 33rd in the nation for the rigor of
coursework required of its pupils, according to the American Diploma
Project.
   (3) California's business community continues to call for a
workforce that possesses the knowledge and skills needed to keep our
state competitive in the global economy. The California Business for
Education Excellence project advocates for stronger public schools
because the vitality of the state depends on a well-educated
workforce.
   (4) Many business and educational studies and groups point to the
need for greater focus on science, technology, mathematics, and
engineering (STEM) in our schools and in the mastery of knowledge and
skills in those subjects by our graduates.
   (5) To be successful in today's economy, all pupils must plan for
education and training, including career technical education, that
goes beyond a high school diploma.
   (b) (1) It is the intent of the Legislature that the changes in
high school graduation requirements required by this act be
implemented gradually to minimize abrupt changes for pupils,
families, and staff, and for the requirements to be in place by
August 1, 2014.
   (2) It is the intent of the Legislature that, when implementing
the graduation requirements, local educational agencies consider
corresponding reform in delivery and instruction. Multiple studies,
including one from the Consortium of Chicago School Research, point
out that pupils new to these rigorous courses might not experience
success unless their enrollment is accompanied by proven
instructional strategies, such as differentiated learning,
problem-based learning, integrated learning, hands-on learning
experiences, relevant education, and team-based learning.
  SEC. 2.  Section 51224.5 of the Education Code is amended to read:
   51224.5.  (a) The adopted course of study for grades 7 to 12,
inclusive, shall include algebra as part of the mathematics area of
study pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 51220.
   (b) 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 pursuant to subparagraph (B)
of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 51225.3 by pupils
while in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, prior to receiving a diploma of
graduation from high school, shall meet or exceed the rigor of the
content standards for Algebra I, as adopted by the  State
Board of Education   state board  pursuant to
Section 60605.
   (c) A pupil who, prior to enrollment in grade 9, completes
coursework in algebra that meets or exceeds the rigor of the content
standards for Algebra I, as adopted by the  State Board of
Education   state board  , is exempt from
subdivision (b), but is not exempt from the requirement that the
pupil complete two courses in mathematics while enrolled in grades 9
to 12, inclusive, as specified in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1)
of subdivision (a) of Section 51225.3. 
   (d) This section shall become inoperative on July 1, 2014, and, as
of January 1, 2015, is repealed, unless a later enacted statute,
that becomes operative on or before January 1, 2015, deletes or
extends the dates on which it becomes inoperative and is repealed.

  SEC. 3.  Section 51224.5 is added to the Education Code, to read:
   51224.5.  (a) The adopted course of study for grades 7 to 12,
inclusive, shall include algebra as part of the mathematics area of
study pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 51220.
   (b) Commencing with the 2014-15 school year and each year
thereafter, at least one of the courses in mathematics required to be
completed pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of
subdivision (a) of Section 51225.3 by pupils while in grades 9 to 12,
inclusive, prior to receiving a diploma of graduation from high
school, shall meet or exceed the rigor of the content standards for
algebra II, trigonometry, precalculus, calculus, or statistics and
probability, as adopted by the state board pursuant to Section 60605.

   (c) A pupil who, prior to enrollment in grade 9, completes
coursework in mathematics that meets or exceeds the rigor of the
content standards for algebra II, trigonometry, precalculus,
calculus, or statistics and probability, as adopted by the state
board, is exempt from subdivision (b), but is not exempt from the
requirement that the pupil complete three courses in mathematics
while enrolled in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, as specified in
subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section
51225.3.
   (d) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2014.
  SEC. 4.  Section 51224.7 is added to the Education Code, to read:
   51224.7.  (a) Commencing with the 2014-2015 school year and each
year thereafter, at least one of the courses in science required to
be completed pursuant to subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of
subdivision (a) of Section 51225.3 by pupils while in grades 9 to 12,
inclusive, prior to receiving a diploma of graduation from high
school, shall meet or exceed the rigor of the content standards for
chemistry, engineering, physics, or computer science, as adopted by
the state board pursuant to Section 60605.
   (b) A pupil who, prior to enrollment in grade 9, completes
coursework in science that meets or exceeds the rigor of the content
standards for chemistry, engineering, physics, or computer science,
as adopted by the state board, is exempt from subdivision (a), but is
not exempt from the requirement that the pupil complete three
courses in science while enrolled in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, as
specified in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of
Section 51225.3.
   (c) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2014.
  SEC. 5.  Section 51225.3 of the Education Code is amended to read:
   51225.3.  (a) A pupil shall complete all of the following while in
grades 9 to 12, inclusive, in order to receive a diploma of
graduation from high school:
   (1) At least the following numbers of courses in the subjects
specified, each course having a duration of one year, unless
otherwise specified:
   (A) Three courses in English.
   (B) Two courses in mathematics.
   (C) Two courses in science, including biological and physical
sciences.
   (D) Three courses in social studies, including United States
history and geography; world history, culture, and geography; 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.
For the purposes of satisfying the requirement specified in this
subparagraph, a course in American Sign Language shall be deemed a
course in foreign language.
   (F) Two courses in physical education, unless the pupil has been
exempted pursuant to the provisions of this code.
   (2) Other coursework requirements adopted by the governing board
of the school district.
   (b) The governing board, with the active involvement of parents,
administrators, teachers, and pupils, shall adopt alternative means
for pupils to complete the prescribed course of study that may
include practical demonstration of skills and competencies,
supervised work experience or other outside school experience, career
technical education classes offered in high schools, courses offered
by regional occupational centers or programs, interdisciplinary
study, independent study, and credit earned at a postsecondary
institution. Requirements for graduation and specified alternative
modes for completing the prescribed course of study shall be made
available to pupils, parents, and the public.
   (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a school district
shall exempt a pupil in foster care from all coursework and other
requirements adopted by the governing board of the district that are
in addition to the statewide coursework requirements specified in
this section if the pupil, while he or she is in grade 11 or 12,
transfers into the district from another school district or between
high schools within the district, unless the district makes a finding
that the pupil is reasonably able to complete the additional
requirements in time to graduate from high school while he or she
remains eligible for foster care benefits pursuant to state law. A
school district shall notify a pupil in foster care who is granted an
exemption pursuant to this subdivision, and, as appropriate, the
person holding the right to make educational decisions for the pupil,
if any of the requirements that are waived will affect the pupil's
ability to gain admission to a postsecondary educational institution
and shall provide information about transfer opportunities available
through the California Community Colleges. 
   (d) This section shall become inoperative on July 1, 2014, and, as
of January 1, 2015, is repealed, unless a later enacted statute,
that becomes operative on or before January 1, 2015, deletes or
extends the dates on which it becomes inoperative and is repealed.

  SEC. 6.  Section 51225.3 is added to the Education Code, to read:
   51225.3.  (a) Commencing with the 2014-15 school year, a pupil
shall complete all of the following while in grades 9 to 12,
inclusive, in order to receive a diploma of graduation from high
school:
   (1) At least the following numbers of courses in the subjects
specified, each course having a duration of one year, unless
otherwise specified:
   (A) Three courses in English.
   (B) Three courses in mathematics.
   (C) Three courses in science, including biological science,
physical science, and either chemistry, engineering, physics, or
computer science.
   (D) Three courses in social studies, including United States
history and geography; world history, culture, and geography; 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.
For the purposes of satisfying the requirement specified in this
subparagraph, a course in American Sign Language shall be deemed a
course in foreign language.
   (F) Two courses in physical education, unless the pupil has been
exempted pursuant to the provisions of this code.
   (2) Other coursework requirements adopted by the governing board
of the school district.
   (b) The governing board, with the active involvement of parents,
administrators, teachers, and pupils, shall adopt alternative means
for pupils to complete the prescribed course of study that may
include practical demonstration of skills and competencies,
supervised work experience or other outside school experience, career
technical education classes offered in high schools, courses offered
by regional occupational centers or programs, interdisciplinary
study, independent study, and credit earned at a postsecondary
institution. Requirements for graduation and specified alternative
modes for completing the prescribed course of study shall be made
available to pupils, parents, and the public.
   (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a school district
shall exempt a pupil in foster care from all coursework and other
requirements adopted by the governing board of the district that are
in addition to the statewide coursework requirements specified in
this section if the pupil, while he or she is in grade 11 or 12,
transfers into the district from another school district or between
high schools within the district, unless the district makes a finding
that the pupil is reasonably able to complete the additional
requirements in time to graduate from high school while he or she
remains eligible for foster care benefits pursuant to state law. A
school district shall notify a pupil in foster care who is granted an
exemption pursuant to this subdivision, and, as appropriate, the
person holding the right to make educational decisions for the pupil,
if any of the requirements that are waived will affect the pupil's
ability to gain admission to a postsecondary educational institution
and shall provide information about transfer opportunities available
through the California Community Colleges.
   (d) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2014.
  SEC. 7.  If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this
act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local
agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant
to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of
the Government Code.