BILL NUMBER: SB 699	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  MAY 4, 2011
	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  school
 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 school  district from another
school district or between high schools within the  school 
district, unless the  school  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 school  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 in foster care, unless the  school  district makes a
finding that the pupil is reasonably able to complete the additional
requirements in time to graduate from high school  by the
end of the school year during which the pupil reaches his or her 18th
birthday   at the completion of the pupil's fourth year
of high school attendance  , 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 whether 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 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 pupil reaches his or her 18th
birthday   school at the completion of the pupil's
fourth year of high school attendance  . 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.