BILL NUMBER: SB 699 AMENDED
BILL TEXT
AMENDED IN SENATE APRIL 7, 2011
INTRODUCED BY Senator Runner
FEBRUARY 18, 2011
An act to amend Section 51225.3 of the Education Code, relating to
pupil instruction.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 699, as amended, Runner. Pupil instruction: graduation
requirements: pupil in foster care.
Existing law requires a pupil to complete specified courses while
in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, in order to receive a diploma of
graduation from high school. Existing law authorizes the governing
board of a school district to adopt rules specifying additional
coursework requirements. Existing law also provides that a school
district shall exempt a pupil in foster care from all coursework and
other requirements adopted by the governing board of the district
that are in addition to the statewide coursework requirements for
graduation if the pupil, while he or she is in grade 11 or 12,
transfers into the district from another school district or between
high schools within the district, unless the district makes a finding
that the pupil is reasonably able to complete the additional
requirements in time to graduate from high school while he or she
remains eligible for foster care benefits.
This bill would instead provide that a school district shall
exempt a pupil from all coursework and other requirements adopted by
the governing board of the district that are in addition to the
statewide coursework requirements for graduation if the pupil
, transfers between schools while he or
she is in grade 11 or 12 , and while he
or she is in foster care, involuntarily transfers
into the district from another school district or between high
schools within the district
, unless the district makes a finding
that the pupil is reasonably able to complete the additional
requirements in time to graduate from high school on or
before his or her 18th birthday. The bill would also provide that the
pupil shall not be exempt if the school will continue to enroll the
pupil until his or her 19th birthday and the district makes a finding
that the pupil is reasonably able to complete the additional
requirements on or before his or her 19th birthday by
the end of the school year during which the pupil reaches his or her
18th birthday, or unless the adult holding the right to make
educational decisions for the pupil , or the pupil,
decides that exempting the pupil is not in the pupil's best
interest. The bill also would
require a school district to notify a pupil who
transfers between schools while he or she is in grade 11
or 12 and in foster care whe ther
or not he or she qualifies for an exemption within 30 days
of transferring .
By requiring school districts to perform additional duties in
complying with the exemption requirement, this bill would impose a
state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates
determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state,
reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these
statutory provisions.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: yes.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Section 51225.3 of the Education Code is amended to
read:
51225.3. (a) A pupil shall complete all of the following while in
grades 9 to 12, inclusive, in order to receive a diploma of
graduation from high school:
(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 foreign language.
For the purposes of satisfying the requirement specified in this
subparagraph, a course in American Sign Language shall be deemed a
course in foreign language.
(F) Two courses in physical education, unless the pupil has been
exempted pursuant to the provisions of this code.
(2) Other coursework requirements adopted by the governing board
of the school district.
(b) The governing board, with the active involvement of parents,
administrators, teachers, and pupils, shall adopt alternative means
for pupils to complete the prescribed course of study that may
include practical demonstration of skills and competencies,
supervised work experience or other outside school experience, career
technical education classes offered in high schools, courses offered
by regional occupational centers or programs, interdisciplinary
study, independent study, and credit earned at a postsecondary
institution. Requirements for graduation and specified alternative
modes for completing the prescribed course of study shall be made
available to pupils, parents, and the public.
(c) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision
of law, a school district shall exempt a pupil from all coursework
and other requirements adopted by the governing board of the district
that are in addition to the statewide coursework requirements
specified in this section if the pupil, while he or she is in
grade 11 or 12, and while he or she is in foster care, involuntarily
transfers into the district from another school district or between
high schools within the district, unless the district makes a finding
that the pupil is reasonably able to complete the additional
requirements in time to graduate from high school on or before his or
her 18th birthday. The pupil shall not be exempt if the school will
continue to enroll the pupil until his or her 19th birthday and the
district makes a finding that the pupil is reasonably able to
complete the additional requirements on or before his or her 19th
birthday. A school district shall notify a pupil in foster care who
is granted an exemption pursuant to this subdivision, and, as
appropriate, the person holding the right to make educational
decisions for the pupil, if any of the requirements that are waived
in this section if the pupil transfers between schools
while he or she is in grade 11 or 12 and in foster care
unless the district makes a finding that the pupil is reasonably able
to complete the requirements in time to graduate from high school by
the end of the school year during which the pupi l
reaches his or her 18th birthday. If the adult holding the right to
make educational decisions for the pupil decides at any time or if
the pupil decides at any time that it is not in the pupil's best
interest to be exempted from local graduation requirements, the pupil
shall not be exempted from those requirements.
(2) A school district shall notify a pupil who transfers between
schools while he or she is in grade 11 or 12 and in foster care and,
as appropriate, the person holding the right to make educational
decisions for the pupil, whether or not the pupil qualifies for an
exemption pursuant to this subdivision. The school district shall
make the notification within 30 days of the pupil transferring.
(3) If a pupil transfers between schools while he or she is in
grade 11 or 12 and in foster care and has not been exempted pursuant
to this subdivision, a school district may so exempt the pupil, at
any time, if the criteria set forth in this subdivision are
satisfied.
(4) If a pupil transfers between
schools while he or she is in grade 11 or 12 and in foster care and
is exempted from local graduation requirements pursuant to
this subdivision, the school district shall notify the pupil and, as
appropriate, the person holding the right to make educational
decisions for the pupil, whether any of the requirements that are
waived will affect the pupil's ability to gain admission to a
postsecondary educational institution and shall provide information
about transfer opportunities available through the California
Community Colleges.
SEC. 2. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this
act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local
agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant
to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of
the Government Code.