BILL ANALYSIS �
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 1540|
|Office of Senate Floor Analyses | |
|1020 N Street, Suite 524 | |
|(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) | |
|327-4478 | |
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THIRD READING
Bill No: SB 1540
Author: Hancock (D), et al.
Amended: 3/29/12
Vote: 21
SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE : 8-0, 3/28/12
AYES: Lowenthal, Alquist, Hancock, Huff, Liu, Price,
Simitian, Vargas
NO VOTE RECORDED: Runner, Blakeslee, Vacancy
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE : 7-0, 4/30/12
AYES: Kehoe, Walters, Alquist, Dutton, Lieu, Price,
Steinberg
SUBJECT : History-Social Science Framework
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This bill requires the State Board of Education
to consider, by June 30, 2014, the adoption of a
history-social science framework.
ANALYSIS : Academic content standards define the
knowledge, concepts, and skills that pupils should acquire
at each grade level. Curricular frameworks are the
blueprint for implementing the standards, and include
criteria by which instructional materials are evaluated.
The history-social science framework was last adopted in
2005. A review of this framework was underway and nearly
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complete when the state suspended the process due to budget
constraints.
The processes for reviewing frameworks and adopting
instructional materials have been suspended since July 28,
2009. The State Board of Education (SBE) is specifically
prohibited from reviewing frameworks and adopting
instructional materials until the 2015-16 school year.
The SBE adopted common core standards in English language
arts and mathematics on August 2, 2010. Recently enacted
legislation requires the SBE to adopt revised curriculum
frameworks and criteria by which instructional materials
will be evaluated that are aligned to the common core
standards for mathematics by May 30, 2013 and English
language arts by May 30, 2014. The prohibition on
reviewing frameworks and developing evaluation criteria for
all other subjects remains intact.
This bill:
1.Requires the State Board of Education to consider, by
June 30, 2014, the adoption of a revised curriculum
framework and evaluation criteria for instructional
materials in history-social science.
2.States that this adoption is in order to expedite the
time and to minimize the cost of the adoption process.
Comments
According to the Senate Education Committee analysis:
1.Update of History-Social Science framework was underway .
The Curriculum Commission approved the draft update of
this framework for field review on July 17, 2009.
However, suspension of the framework and instructional
material processes was implemented beginning July 28,
2009, meaning that no actual field review or online
survey has occurred for this framework. According to the
California Department of Education (CDE) the revision of
the history-social science framework can be completed for
approximately $30,000. Many stakeholders and ethnic
groups support the resumption of this process because the
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updated frameworks are a culmination of months of
research and negotiations. The updated framework
includes information relative to the role of Sikhs and
Korean Americans, among others.
2.Timeline . This bill SBE to consider adopting the
history-social science framework and evaluation criteria
by June 30, 2014. Some have questioned the need for such
a long timeline. The CDE indicates that, while the
framework and evaluation criteria are nearly completed,
two 60-day review periods are required before adoption
may be considered by the SBE. Additionally, the CDE is
currently undertaking the implementation of the Common
Core Standards, including the development of the
framework for the common core standards in English
language arts and mathematics as required by current law.
Prior Legislation
SB 48 (Leno, Chapter 81, 2011) requires instruction in
social science to include the role and contributions of
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans.
SB 300 (Hancock, Chapter 624, 2011), at one time included
provisions relative to the completion of the history-social
science framework. The final version of SB 300 requires
the SBE to adopt revised standards in science.
SB 1278 (Wyland, 2010) would have required the SBE to adopt
a revised framework and evaluation criteria for
history-social science in 2011. SB 1278 was held in the
Assembly Appropriations Committee.
AB 2069 (Carter, 2010) would have required the SBE to adopt
a revised framework and evaluation criteria for
history-social science by July 1, 2011. AB 2069 was held
in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes
Local: No
According to the Senate Appropriations Committee:
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Direct costs: This bill will result in direct state costs
of $30,000 to complete the work of updating the
history-social science framework, for it to be considered
by the SBE for adoption.
Cost pressure: The adoption of an updated curriculum
framework (should the SBE choose to adopt it) potentially
creates cost pressure to adopt new instructional
materials more quickly than would otherwise have
occurred.
SUPPORT : (Verified 5/1/12)
California Council for the Social Studies
California School Board Association
Sikh Coalition
Sikh Council of Central California
Sikh Temple Sacramento
Superintendent of Public Instruction
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT : According to the author's office,
"The History Social Science Standards have not been updated
since 1998. The last Framework as adopted in 2003.
However, the most recent History Social Science Framework
process was almost complete when flexibility was
instituted. SB 1540 would allow the Superintendent of
Public Instruction to update and present the draft to the
State Board of Education for consideration/approval. The
adoption of the History Social Science Framework does not
require districts to purchase new instructional materials.
If a district purchases supplemental materials, the
existence of the Framework would be helpful in the review
of available materials."
PQ:nl 5/1/12 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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