BILL ANALYSIS
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 520|
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UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Bill No: SB 520
Author: Pavley (D), et al
Amended: 7/2/09
Vote: 21
SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE : 8-1, 5/6/09
AYES: Romero, Alquist, Hancock, Liu, Maldonado, Padilla,
Simitian, Wyland
NOES: Huff
SENATE FLOOR :
AYES: Alquist, Calderon, Corbett, Correa, DeSaulnier,
Florez, Hancock, Kehoe, Leno, Liu, Lowenthal, Maldonado,
Negrete McLeod, Oropeza, Padilla, Pavley, Romero,
Simitian, Steinberg, Wiggins, Wolk, Wright, Wyland, Yee
NOES: Aanestad, Ashburn, Benoit, Cogdill, Cox, Denham,
Dutton, Harman, Hollingsworth, Huff, Runner, Strickland,
Walters
NO VOTE RECORDED: Cedillo, Ducheny
ASSEMBLY FLOOR : Not available
SUBJECT : High school curriculum: volunteer service
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This bill authorizes a school district to offer
credit in an amount that is equivalent to that of a
one-semester elective course in that district for hours of
community service provided outside of regular school hours
CONTINUED
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by a pupil, as specified. This bill requires a school
district that elects to offer credit for community service
to: (1) offer credit for community service provided by a
pupil in an amount that may be equal to or greater than 60
hours per semester, as determined by the district, for a
maximum of any two semesters that the pupil attends high
school, (2) establish and maintain a list of suitable
volunteer organizations, excluding organizations whose sole
purpose is political, from which a pupil may choose to
complete the community service hours, and (3) require a
pupil to submit a report or other academic assignments, as
determined by the district, to a school representative on
the community service experience, and requires the
community service organization to verify the hours served
by the pupil.
Assembly Amendments replace the term "volunteer service"
with "community service" instead and make clarifying
changes.
ANALYSIS : A one-semester high school course is typically
worth five credits. Existing law does not establish a
minimum number of credits needed in order to graduate from
high school, but does require the completion of all of the
following courses:
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
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foreign language.
F. Two courses in physical education, unless the
pupil has been exempted.
2.Other coursework as the governing board of the school
district may by rule specify.
The Oxnard Union High School District has apparently
recently adopted a pilot Community Service course,
authorizing credit to be awarded to pupils who complete
volunteer service in a manner that is very similar to what
is proposed by this bill. The Sacramento City Unified
School District requires a pupil to accumulate a total of
225 credits in order to graduate (with a specified number
of credits in certain courses), including the completion of
a service learning project or senior project. The San Juan
Unified School District requires a pupil to accumulate a
total of 220 credits (280 credits for schools on a block
schedule) and demonstrate computer literacy by passing
designated classes, and satisfy additional requirements,
such as a senior project, that may be required. The
required courses and units for graduation differ at various
high schools within this district. For example, Mesa Verde
High School requires completion of a computer applications
course, and Casa Roble Fundamental High School requires
completion of a senior project. The San Diego Unified
School District requires a total of 220 credits for
graduation, including the presentation of a senior
exhibition.
Related Legislation
AB 156 (Jeffries of 2009), authorizes a school district to
offer one credit towards the required number of credits
necessary for graduation from high school for training and
certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation or the use
of an automatic external defibrillator, or both. AB 156 is
pending in the Assembly Education Committee.
FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No
Local: No
SUPPORT : (Verified 7/15/09)
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Oxnard Union High School District
California Coalition for Youth
Kevin Johnson, Mayor of Sacramento
OPPOSITION : (Verified 7/15/09)
California School Boards Association
California Council for the Social Studies (as introduced)
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT : According to the author's office,
"SB 520 is part of a national movement to promote community
service for young people, and seeks to establish state-wide
guidelines for the issuance of high school graduation
credit to students who perform volunteer service outside of
school hours. Following President Obama's National Call to
Service as well as Governor Schwarzenegger's commitment to
public service, this bill seeks to facilitate and encourage
volunteerism in California's youth. The benefits of
performing community service, for both the volunteer and
the community, are widely documented. Students who
volunteer are introduced to a variety of life experiences
that they may not otherwise have had the opportunity to
participate in. Empathy, pride in one's community and hard
work are all traits which are fostered by the act of
volunteering. Several school districts in California have
already shown leadership on this issue and have created the
incentive for students to volunteer by offering course
credit. However there is no minimum standard for school
districts who wish to reward students who volunteer in this
fashion. SB 520 would allow for the issuance of 1 elective
credit for every 12 hours of volunteer service performed by
a pupil, up to a maximum of 10 credits towards their
general graduation requirements. This is roughly the
equivalent of one course worth of credit during a student's
high school career. Volunteer hours would be performed at
a suitable organization, a list of which is to be
established by any school district who wishes to
participate. The importance of encouraging our youth to
engage with their communities in a productive and selfless
manner and to take pride in helping others is paramount to
their personal growth and learning. Offering educational
opportunities for service through our schools will instill
at an early age the values of community service, and will
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expand their personal and career horizons throughout their
lives."
The Oxnard Union High School District states in support,
"The mutual benefits of volunteer service, to both the
volunteer and the community, have been widely documented.
In order to encourage California's students to volunteer
their time, it is necessary to better facilitate their
public service opportunities. Studies have also shown that
children who are involved in meaningful ways with their
community are less likely to engage in risky behavior."
ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION : California Council for the
Social Studies believes that while volunteer and civic
service should be encouraged in our public schools, such
service foster constructive, learning opportunities that
are aligned as much as possible with our academic
standards. They request the following amendment:
The governing board of a school district may elect to
offer one credit towards the required number of
credits necessary for graduation from high school for
each 12 hours of volunteer service provided by a
pupil, up to a maximum of five credits per pupil per
semester, and for a maximum of two semesters, provided
the service is needed in the community and designed to
help students meet academic standards through high
quality service learning?.
DLW:nl 7/16/09 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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