BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 1987
Page 1
Date of Hearing: March 28, 2012
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Julia Brownley, Chair
AB 1987 (Davis) - As Introduced: February 23, 2012
SUBJECT : Pupil instruction: independent study: leadership
course
SUMMARY : Includes, within the educational opportunities that
may be offered through independent study, a leadership course
approved by a statewide or national community service agency
that is designed to improve the character and leadership traits
of a pupil.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Authorizes the governing board of a school district or a
county office of education to offer independent study to meet
the educational needs of pupils.
2)Specifies that educational opportunities offered through
independent study may include, but shall not be limited to,
the following:
a) Special assignments extending the content of regular
courses of instruction;
b) Individualized study in a particular area of interest or
in a subject not currently available in the regular school
curriculum;
c) Individualized alternative education designed to teach
the knowledge and skills of the core curriculum.
Independent study shall not be provided as an alternative
curriculum;
d) Continuing and special study during travel; and,
e) Volunteer community service activities that support and
strengthen pupil achievement.
3)Prohibits courses included among the courses required for high
school graduation from being offered exclusively through
independent study.
AB 1987
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4)Requires the independent study by each pupil or student be
coordinated, evaluated, and under the general supervision of
an employee of the school district or county office of
education who possesses a valid certification document, as
specified.
5)Provides that independent study agreements cannot be longer
than one semester in duration and requires the agreement to
include the beginning and ending dates of the independent
study.
FISCAL EFFECT : This bill is keyed non-fiscal.
COMMENTS : Independent study is an alternative instructional
strategy, not an alternative curriculum that offers a level of
flexibility to meet individual student needs, interests, and
styles of learning. Independent study is available as a
voluntary option, and current law requires prior to the
commencement of independent study, a written agreement be signed
by the pupil, his or her parent, guardian, or caregiver, the
supervising teacher and any other individual having direct
responsibility for providing assistance to the pupil. The
agreement outlines the instructional plan for the pupil and the
supervision that is to be provided for that pupil to complete
the work outlined in the agreement.
This bill allows leadership courses approved by a statewide or
national community service agency that are designed to improve
the character and leadership traits of a pupil, to be part of
independent study educational opportunities.
Existing statutes do not explicitly list specific courses that
can be offered through independent study. Current independent
study statute is very broad and general to encompass
individualized study, special assignment or alternative
education. The opportunities that can be made available to
pupils are not limited to the general guidelines specified in
statute, and as long as those educational opportunities are part
of the independent study agreement and are coordinated,
evaluated, and under the supervision of the school district or
county office, there is a level of flexibility in this regard.
To list and specify all the courses that may be offered through
independent study may not be prudent nor desirable, as there
would be the potential of excluding some courses and thereby
AB 1987
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creating ambiguity as to whether courses that are not listed can
be provided.
It is unclear as to what courses this bill refers to or what
process is envisioned to approve such courses. The
appropriateness of having community service and non-education
organizations approve educational courses is also questionable.
The author provides information about the CalServe Initiative
which funds partnerships of local educational agencies to
support service-learning in kindergarten and grades 1-12,
inclusive. The author notes that service-learning is an
instructional strategy that actively involves youth in academic
programs through community service. Students learn through
participation in thoughtfully organized service that meets
community needs, fosters civic responsibility, enhances the
students' academic achievement, and provides structured time for
students to reflect on the service experience. The information
about CalServe does not contain information about leadership
courses approved by the organization and the connection between
community service organizations and leadership courses is not
clearly established.
The author states, "AB 1987 would require California's public
schools K-12 make available, through independent study, an
option to choose a leadership development course designed to
improve the character and leadership traits of pupils who
voluntarily seek such a course of study. This course must be
approved by a statewide or national community service agency."
Suggested amendment : If the author's intent is to state that
leadership activities may be part of the educational
opportunities offered through independent study, staff
recommends an amendment to delete the language in lines 13-15 on
page 2; and instead insert "and leadership" after "service" on
page 2 line 11.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
Association of California School Administrators
Opposition
None on file.
AB 1987
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Analysis Prepared by : Marisol Avi�a / ED. / (916) 319-2087