BILL ANALYSIS �
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Alan Lowenthal, Chair
2011-12 Regular Session
BILL NO: AB 1304
AUTHOR: Block
AMENDED: April 25, 2011
FISCAL COMM: Yes HEARING DATE: July 6, 2011
URGENCY: No CONSULTANT:Beth Graybill
SUBJECT : Career Technical Education: Linked Learning.
SUMMARY
This bill defines linked learning programs and authorizes
the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to convene a
workgroup to develop standards for the issuance of a
recognition of study in linked learning for single subject
credential holders.
BACKGROUND
Existing law establishes the Commission on Teacher
Credentialing (CTC) and vests the Commission with the power
and duty to, among other things, establish professional
standards, assessments, and examinations for entry and
advancement in the education profession. (Education Code �
44225)
Existing law defines multiple pathway programs as
multiyear, comprehensive high school programs of integrated
academic and technical study that are organized around a
broad theme, interest area, or industry sector, and provide
curriculum choices that prepare participating pupils for a
range of postsecondary options, including two and four-year
colleges, apprenticeships, and formal employment training.
These programs are comprised, among other things, of an
integrated core curriculum that meets the eligibility
requirements for admission to the University of California
(UC) and the California State University (CSU) and is
delivered through project-based learning and other engaging
instructional strategies. (EC � 52372.5)
Existing law establishes the minimum requirements for
preliminary and clear teaching credentials for single
AB 1304
Page 2
subjects and for designated subjects career technical
education (DSCTE). (EC � 44260 et. seq.)
Existing law establishes California Partnership Academies
(CPAs) for the purpose of providing academic and
occupational training to high school students in grades
10-12 inclusive who present a high risk of dropping out of
school. CPAs function as a school within a school and
provide career-themed educational programs that integrate
core academic content and technical education. (EC � 54690
et. seq.)
ANALYSIS
This bill :
1) Defines linked learning as programs and pathways as
described in Section 52372.5 and specifies linked
learning programs may include California Partnership
Academies.
2) Specifies that a "Recognition of study in linked
learning" is a statement added to a single subject
teaching credential that the credential holder has
completed a commission-approved program in linked
learning teaching methods that can be applied to the
academic instruction authorized by his or her
credential. Specifies that a recognition of study in
a linked learning teacher preparation program may be
part of an initial teacher preparation program or a
separate program for previously credentialed teachers.
3) Authorizes the CTC to convene a workgroup to develop
program standards for the issuance of a recognition of
study for linked learning competence for holders of a
single subject credential candidates who will be
teaching pupils enrolled in linked learning programs.
Requires the workgroup to include but not be limited
to representatives from:
a) The California Department of Education
(CDE).
b) CTC-approved teacher preparation programs
AB 1304
Page 3
from the CSU, UC,
and independent institutions of higher education.
c) The business community and local chambers of
commerce.
d) School districts, county offices of
education, and charter schools
that have implemented linked learning programs or
other similar programs.
e) Regional occupational centers and programs.
f) Practicing career technical education
teachers.
g) Other organizations deemed appropriate by
the CTC.
4) States the intent of the Legislature that a successful
candidate for a recognition of study in linked
learning demonstrate appropriate knowledge, as
determined by the Commission, based upon the
recommendations of the workgroup. Specifies that
within the context of state academic content
standards, the knowledge may include, but is not
limited to:
a) How to develop and maintain industry and
postsecondary
educational partnerships.
b) Ongoing professional learning.
c) Work-based learning strategies.
d) Career exposure and development.
e) California Career Technical Education Model
AB 1304
Page 4
Curriculum Standards
adopted by the State Board of Education (SBE).
5) Encourages the CSU and other teacher preparation
institutions to establish goals for increasing the
number of teachers prepared in linked learning
programs.
6) Encourages Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment
programs to provide appropriate support, mentoring,
and assistance to beginning teachers who are teaching
in linked learning programs, including candidates who
are in externships.
7) Authorizes the CTC and the Superintendent of Public
Instruction to gather and post on an appropriate
Internet Web site, best practices from school
districts and schools on curriculum development and
professional development relating to implementing and
sustaining multiple pathway programs.
8) Specifies that the holder of a single subject teaching
credential who receives a recognition of study in
linked learning is not authorized to teach subject
matter content or English learners unless he or she
holds an appropriate authorization or is employed on
the basis of a legal assignment option.
9) Specifies that any recognition of study in linked
learning shall not be considered a type of
authorization, shall not be used as a condition of
employment, shall not replace a subject matter
competence requirement, and shall not be used in
making layoff decisions, as specified.
10) Makes findings and declarations pertaining to the
benefits of preparing high school pupils for academic
and career choices and the benefits of hands-on
experiential learning to exemplify how academic
knowledge is used to solve real-world problems.
Expresses the intent of the Legislature that academic
teachers and career technical education teachers
collaborate to provide linked learning educational
programs to pupils and that teacher credential
candidates have opportunities to learn pedagogical
strategies to ensure pupil success in linked learning
AB 1304
Page 5
programs.
STAFF COMMENTS
11) Purpose . According to the author's office, a growing
number of schools offer coursework and programs that
integrate academic content and technical education
through project-based learning or through
career-themed academies. These programs often involve
both academic teachers and technical education
teachers. While the academic teachers who teach in
these programs need to have the same teaching skills
and content knowledge as their counterparts who teach
traditional academic courses, researchers have found
they also need skills and knowledge not commonly
taught in a traditional credential program such as
knowledge and ability to collaborate in the design and
delivery of interdisciplinary, project-based
curriculum; knowledge and skill to create a curriculum
that centers on a business or industry sector;
competency in developing and maintaining partnerships
with local industry and postsecondary institutions;
and the ability to incorporate work-based learning
into the curriculum. The sponsor of this measure, the
Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, hopes the
recognition of study in linked learning will increase
the pool of teachers who will be successful teaching
in linked learning programs.
According to a 2009 report by the Center for the Future of
Teaching and Learning (CFTL), high schools that are
implementing specific reform strategies need teachers
with specific pedagogical skills associated with the
demands of that strategy. The report noted "Despite
strategic hiring practices, many high schools -
particularly those where reforms are most urgently
needed - struggle to attract and retain teachers who
have the knowledge and skills to implement the
schools' design principles."
12) New name . Over the past few years, the California
Center for College and Career (ConnectEd), together
with a coalition of education, community
organizations, and industry have promoted the concept
of multiple pathway programs that connect academic
learning with real-world applications. These programs
AB 1304
Page 6
integrate academic instruction with technical
curriculum and work-based learning within the context
of industry sectors identified in the model curriculum
standards for career technical education (CTE) adopted
by the SBE. AB 2648 (Bass, Chapter 681, 2008)
established a statutory definition for multiple
pathway programs and required the SPI to report on the
feasibility of expanding the availability of these
programs in California high schools.
In 2009, ConnectEd, the Multiple Pathways coalition, and
the James Irvine Foundation began discussing the need
to transition away from the term "multiple pathways"
in order to avoid confusion with programs with similar
names that provide alternative education routes for
at-risk and out-of-school youth. ConnectEd and the
supporters of these programs maintain that the name
"Linked Learning" more clearly conveys the attributes
of an educational approach that helps students link
what they learn in the classroom with real-world
experiences and career preparation. This bill
specifies that linked learning and multiple pathway
programs mean the same thing.
According to ConnectEd, more than 140 organizations and
individuals have joined together to form the Linked
Learning Alliance, a statewide alliance of education,
industry, and community organizations dedicated to
improving California's high schools and preparing
students for postsecondary education and careers. The
Alliance includes the CDE, the CSU, UC, the California
Community College Chancellor's Office, the California
Postsecondary Education Commission, and the California
Student Aid Commission. The group also includes
business and trade organizations, community and
advocacy organizations, education organizations, and
associations and public agencies such as school
districts.
13) What is the potential value of the "recognition of
study" ? This measure does not authorize the
establishment of a new type of teaching credential,
rather it allows for the CTC to convene a workgroup
and develop standards for a recognition of study in
linked learning that would be issued as a statement on
a teacher's credential indicating the candidate
AB 1304
Page 7
completed a preparation program that focused on linked
learning and included student teaching experiences in
linked learning programs. Although legislation is not
necessary for the CTC to convene a workgroup or adopt
standards for preparation programs that include an
option to learn linked learning teaching strategies,
this bill signals the Legislature's interest in
ensuring that teachers who work in these programs will
have the necessary skills to create effective learning
opportunities for students.
Institutions of higher education and local education
agencies that offer single subject credential programs
can already establish a linked learning program
without approval of the CTC. In fact, at least eight
institutions, including San Diego State University and
CSU Long Beach have implemented or are in the process
of implementing cross-discipline teaching techniques
into their teacher preparation curriculum. By
authorizing the development of program standards, this
bill could help ensure greater uniformity across these
programs and provide guidance for institutions that
want to develop preparation programs that focus on
linked learning. Once the standards are adopted by
the Commission, institutions will need to have their
programs approved by the CTC in order for program
completers to be issued the recognition of study in
linked learning.
Although the recognition of study statement would not be
required for employment and this bill specifically
precludes school districts from using the recognition
of study statement in making employment decisions
relating to teacher layoffs, the recognition of study
statement on a teacher's credential could signal to
prospective employers that a teacher has received
special, standardized training in the teaching
strategies used in linked learning programs.
14) Related and previous legislation . This bill is
similar to AB 1223 (Block, 2010), which would have
also authorized the CTC to convene a workgroup to
develop standards for the issuance of a recognition of
study in linked learning. That measure was passed by
this Committee on a 5-2 vote and was subsequently
vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger with the following
AB 1304
Page 8
veto message:
"This bill would authorize the Commission on Teacher
Credentialing (CTC) to convene a workgroup to
develop program standards for the purpose of
establishing some "recognition of study" for
linked learning competence for credentialed
teachers. Nothing under current law prohibits
the CTC from convening any workgroup without
statutory authority. Therefore this bill is
unnecessary. "
AB 790 (Furutani) establishes the Linked Learning
Methodology Pilot Program to be administered by the
CDE for the purpose of implementing districtwide
linked learning programs in 20 school districts. This
measure was passed by this Committee on June 29, 2011
on a vote of 7-1.
SUPPORT
California Catholic Conference, Inc.
California State PTA
California Teachers Association
Commission on Teacher Credentialing
Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
Los Angeles Unified School District
Metropolitan Education District
San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce
San Diego Unified
OPPOSITION
None received.