BILL ANALYSIS
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 381|
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THIRD READING
Bill No: SB 381
Author: Wright (D) and Wyland (R)
Amended: 4/16/09
Vote: 21
SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE : 6-3, 4/22/09
AYES: Huff, Hancock, Liu, Maldonado, Padilla, Wyland
NOES: Romero, Alquist, Simitian
SUBJECT : High school instruction: course of study
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This bill prohibits a school district from
adopting a graduation requirement that requires the
completion of additional coursework to meet or exceed the
requirements and prerequisites for admission to the
California public institutions of postsecondary education
unless the district also adopts an additional graduation
requirement that requires the completion of an equal amount
of coursework to attain entry-level employment skills in
business or industry upon graduation from high school.
ANALYSIS : 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.
Existing law authorizes the governing board of a school
district to adopt rules specifying additional coursework
requirements.
CONTINUED
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Existing law requires school districts that maintain one or
more high schools to prescribe courses designed to provide
students with the skills and knowledge required for adult
life.
This bill:
1. Amends current law requiring districts to provide
students with skills and knowledge required for adult
life to instead require districts to provide every pupil
with the opportunity to be prepared to enter the world
of work with sufficient marketable skills and knowledge
for legitimate remunerative employment, as specified.
2. Prohibits a school district from adopting graduation
requirements that meet or exceed the requirements and
prerequisites for admission to the state's public
postsecondary institutions unless the district also
adopts additional graduation requirements that require
the completion of an equal amount of coursework to
attain entry-level employment in business or industry
upon graduation from high school.
FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No
Local: No
SUPPORT : (Verified 4/23/09)
California Business Education Association
California Manufacturers and Technology Association
California Space Authority
California Agricultural Teachers Association
California Association of Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning
Contractors
National Association
California Automotive Business Coalition
California Industrial and Technology Education Association
California State Building and Construction Trades Council
OPPOSITION : (Verified 4/23/09)
Association of California School Administrators
Californians for Justice
Public Advocates
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ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT : According to the author's office,
the intent of this bill is to require districts to maintain
curricular balance between courses that prepare students
for the California State University and University of
California and courses that prepare students for employment
after high school.
In support of this bill, the California Space Authority
states: "It is estimated that up to 50 percent of the
existing technical workforce will retire from the space
enterprise community within the next 5 to 10 years.
Industry leaders have long since expressed their concerns
about how to replace these dedicated and experienced
workers. Unfortunately, California's educational system
has not produced the number of skilled and technical
workers our industry will require. Certainly this will
have a major negative impact on California's economy, but
it is also a matter of national security. To maintain our
state's leadership in the global space marketplace, we must
have the skilled technicians necessary to build what our
engineering force has designed. Without a skilled
technician workforce, international competition will
surpass us. California has been at the forefront of space
enterprise since the Space Age began a half-century ago.
California space enterprise affects approximately 370,000
jobs in this state and represents 40% of the $71 billion US
space market and a whopping 21% of the $146 billion global
space market. It's also important to recognize that
skilled technicians in the space industry are highly paid
and respected, contributing members of their communities.
If California is to maintain and grow its technologically
educated workforce, its leaders must pursue an aggressive
expansion of its CTE [career technical education] course
offerings. There must be renewed focus and respect given
to meaningful, real-world, experiential programs. Such
programs have been shown to motivate young people in
finding their own potential. Reinvigorating CTE programs
in our high schools and ensuring they are a balance part of
the high school day is essential to keep California on the
cutting edge."
ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION : The Association of California
School Administrators (ACSA) states they "strongly support
career technical education." However, they oppose a
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mandate that requires school districts to offer these
programs. They state: "Some school districts will be able
to accommodate the coursework outlined in SB 381 while
others will not. The lack of facilities, equipment,
credentialed teachers or administrators, lack of funding,
standards, and time requirements all impact the ability or
inability of a school district in meeting the challenges
outlined in your bill." In their letter, ACSA compliments
the author on his efforts to promote career technical
education in our high schools. "We believe that career
technical training is vitally important to our state's
economy and society, providing economic opportunity to tens
of thousands of students throughout California. However,
SB 381 provides many obstacles and ignores any local
control or community demands for the types of courses to be
offered by a high school."
DLW:mw 4/23/09 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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