BILL NUMBER: SB 621	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 13, 2009

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Florez

                        FEBRUARY 27, 2009

    An act relating to disabled persons.   An
act to amend Section 51226 of the Education Code, relating to career
technical education. 



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 621, as amended, Florez.  Disabled persons: employment.
  Career technical education: individuals with
exceptional needs.  
   Existing law requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction, on
a cyclical basis, to coordinate the development of model curriculum
standards for the prescribed course of study and of a career
technical education course of study necessary to assist school
districts with complying with their obligation to offer qualified
pupils a course of study that provides an opportunity for pupils to
attain entry-level employment skills in business or industry upon
graduation from high school.  
   This bill would require the Superintendent, in coordinating the
development of model curriculum standards for a career technical
education course of study, to include model curriculum standards
appropriate for individuals with exceptional needs.  
   Existing law establishes the Department of Rehabilitation in the
Health and Welfare Agency and identifies as one of its goals
employment and economic self-sufficiency of individuals with
disabilities. Under existing law, the department is provided all
necessary authority to cooperate with the federal government in
matters relating to individuals with disabilities and their
vocational rehabilitation and independent living.  
   This bill would express the Legislature's intent to seek federal
funding to promote and implement employment opportunities for
individuals with disabilities in areas related to renewable energy,
environmental safety, and conservation. 
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  no
  yes  . State-mandated local program: no.


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

   SECTION 1.    Section 51226 of the  
Education Code   is amended to read: 
   51226.  The Superintendent  of Public Instruction
 shall coordinate the development, on a cyclical basis, of
model curriculum standards for the course of study required by
Section 51225.3 and for a career technical education course of study
necessary to assist school districts with complying with subdivision
(b) of Section 51228.  In coordinating the development of model
curriculum standards for a career technical education course of
study, the Superintendent shall include model curriculum standards
appropriate for individuals with exceptional needs.  The
 superintendent   Superintendent  shall set
forth these standards in terms of a wide range of specific
competencies, including higher level skills, in each academic subject
area. The  superintendent   Superintendent
 shall review currently available textbooks in conjunction with
the curriculum standards. The  superintendent  
Superintendent  shall seek the advice of classroom teachers,
school administrators, parents, postsecondary educators, and
representatives of business and industry in developing these
curriculum standards. The superintendent shall recommend policies to
the State Board of Education   state board 
for consideration and adoption by the board. The  State
Board of Education   state board  shall adopt these
policies no later than January 1, 1985. However, neither the
 superintendent  Superintendent  nor the
 state  board shall adopt rules or regulations for course
content or methods of instruction.
   The  superintendent   Superintendent 
shall, to the extent applicable, incorporate the integration of
career technical and academic education into the development of
curriculum standards for career technical education courses. The
standards for a career technical education course of study shall be
adopted no later than June 1, 2005. 
  SECTION 1.    It is the intent of the Legislature
to seek federal funding to promote and implement employment
opportunities for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and
pervasive developmental disorder, as well as for individuals with
other disabilities and special needs, in areas related to renewable
energy, environmental safety, conservation, and other areas relating
to creating a more livable and environmentally sustainable community.