BILL ANALYSIS �
SB 1540
Page 1
Date of Hearing: June 13, 2012
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Julia Brownley, Chair
SB 1540 (Hancock) - As Amended: March 29, 2012
SENATE VOTE : 38-0
SUBJECT : Instructional materials: revised curriculum
framework: history-social science.
SUMMARY : Requires the State Board of Education (SBE) to
consider the adoption of a revised curriculum framework and
evaluation criteria for instructional materials in
history-social science (H/SS) by June 30, 2014 in order to
expedite the time and minimize the cost of the adoption process.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Provides that the SBE adopt textbooks for use in grades one
through eight throughout the State and for the textbooks to be
furnished without cost as provided by statute (California
Constitution, Article IX, Section 7.5).
2)Requires the SBE to adopt at least five basic instructional
materials for all applicable grade levels in language arts,
mathematics, science, social science, bilingual or bicultural
subjects, and any other subject, discipline or
interdisciplinary areas for which the SBE determines the
adoption of instructional materials to be necessary or
desirable. Requires the SBE to ensure curriculum frameworks
are reviewed and adopted consistent with the six and eight
year submission cycles, as specified. (Education Code (EC)
Section 60200).
3)Prohibits the SBE from reviewing frameworks or adopting
instructional materials until the 2015-2016 school year (EC
60200.7).
4)Requires the Instructional Quality Commission (IQC) to
recommend curriculum frameworks for adoption to the SBE (EC
60204).
5)Requires the SBE to adopt revised curriculum frameworks and
SB 1540
Page 2
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 (EC
60207).
FISCAL EFFECT : The Senate Appropriations Committee estimates
that this bill will result in direct state costs of $30,000 to
complete the work of updating the H/SS framework and for it to
be considered by the SBE for adoption. In addition, the adoption
of an updated curriculum framework, should the SBE adopt one,
would potentially create cost pressure to adopt new
instructional materials more quickly than would otherwise have
occurred.
COMMENTS : According to the author, "In 2009, the K-12 History
Social Science Framework recommendations were near completion
when the work of the Commission was suspended because the
process and procedures for adopting instructional materials,
including framework revisions, were included in the flexibility
provisions of the Budget. The flexibility provisions were
extended again in the 2011 Budget to the year 2015-16. As a
result, the K-12 History Social Science Framework in place today
is the Framework adopted in 2003 based upon Standards adopted in
1998."
This bill requires the SBE to consider the adoption of a revised
curriculum framework and evaluation criteria for instructional
materials in H/SS by June 30, 2014.
Current restrictions: Consistent with the categorical
flexibility provisions extended to the year 2015-2016 in the
2011 Budget, current law prohibits the SBE from adopting
instructional materials or curriculum frameworks for all
subjects with the exception of mathematics and English language
arts. Mathematics and English language arts were exempted from
this restriction as a result of AB 250 (Brownley), Chapter 608,
Statutes of 2011, which sought to implement the common core
standards adopted through SB 1 X5 (Steinberg), Chapter 2,
Statutes of 2009-2010, Fifth Extraordinary Session.
H/SS content changes frequently: As highlighted in the author's
statement, California's H/SS frameworks have not been updated
since 2003, which are based upon standards from 1998. Supporters
of this bill argue that these standards are outdated and do not
appropriately include information about important topics and
SB 1540
Page 3
occurrences such as the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001,
the following wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the impact of these
events on different groups and populations and other critical
topics. Proponents seem to argue that due to the frequent
changes in history, delays in the adoption of H/SS curriculum
frameworks have a more immediate impact because the delay may
limit student access to this information. There will, even when
the regular six year adoption cycle resumes, however, likely
always be at least a short lag in curricular information as
compared to current trends and events.
Much of the support for this measure seems to center on the need
for curriculum frameworks in California to reflect new
information that is prevalent in recent history. The updated
curriculum frameworks that would be adopted by this bill would
still reflect the 1998 H/SS standards. An updated curriculum
framework may to be able to include more contemporary events and
trends, but would be limited to the content in the standards,
thus raising the question about whether a full review and update
of the H/SS standards would be a more comprehensive approach.
Much of the H/SS curriculum framework is already completed: On
July 17, 2009, the IQC, formerly the Curriculum Development and
Supplemental Materials Commission, approved the draft update of
the H/SS framework for field review. Shortly thereafter, due to
budget action, the field review was suspended. The California
Department of Education (CDE) also suspended work related to the
revision of frameworks for science, health, and mathematics.
Numerous groups and individuals raised concern about the
suspension of the framework revision and adoption process,
particularly in regard to the H/SS framework that was close to
completion. Many argued that the work on the H/SS framework
should be completed even without an immediate instructional
materials adoption because such a framework would provide
updated content and pedagogical strategies for teachers to help
their students acquire updated and relevant knowledge and
skills. This bill follows that logic and requires the adoption
of a H/SS framework even while the instructional materials
adoption process remains suspended.
Requiring consideration by June 30, 2014: This bill requires
the SBE to consider the adoption of new H/SS frameworks by June
30, 2014. Current law requires the SBE to consider the adoption
of new mathematics frameworks by May 30, 2013 and new English
language arts frameworks by May 30, 2014. There is a one year
SB 1540
Page 4
gap in the time between the required consideration of frameworks
for mathematics and English language arts and only a one month
gap between English language arts and H/SS framework. According
to the CDE and the author, however, should this bill be enacted
on January 1, 2013, there would be sufficient time for
completion of all three curriculum frameworks since much of the
process for the H/SS frameworks was already completed in 2009.
If the SBE chose to pursue the adoption of a H/SS curriculum
framework by June 30, 2014, assuming no other changes to the law
occur after the current prohibition sunsets, the next framework
adoption would be in 2020.
Technical Amendment: Language in the bill states that this bill
is an attempt to "minimize costs" and "expedite the time" of the
adoption. The intent of this bill is to require the SBE to
choose whether to update the H/SS curriculum frameworks by June
30, 2014. Staff recommends deleting the language "in order to
expedite the time and to minimize the cost of the adoption
process" from the bill for improved clarity.
Arguments in support: The Sikh American Legal Defense and
Education Fund writes, "Based on our extensive experience in the
area of educating others about Sikhs, we believe that SB 1540
will positively strengthen the relationship not only between
Sikh American students and their peers, but between all
California residents and the Sikh American community of
California."
The California School Boards Association writes, "The current
academic content standards for history social-science were
developed in 1998, fully 13 years ago. Currently, no mechanism
exists in statute to provide for the review of the adopted
standards. Over time, the ever-changing historical trends,
economic conditions, cultural exchanges, and demographics have
created a greater need than ever before for understanding the
foundational ideas and philosophy of our country and the world,
yet the outdated history-social science standards would suggest
that no historically important events have occurred since 1998."
Related legislation: AB 1756 (Knight) eliminates the
requirement that instruction in social sciences include the
early history of California and a study of the role and
contributions of both men and women, Native Americans, African
Americans, Mexican Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific
SB 1540
Page 5
Islanders, European Americans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
transgender (LGBT) Americans, persons with disabilities, and
members of other ethnic and cultural groups, to the economic,
political, and social development of California and the United
States, and instead, makes these provisions permissive. AB 1756
failed in the Assembly Education Committee on April 11, 2012.
AB 2546 (Donnelly) requires the H/SS curriculum framework, when
it is revised by current law, to include specified historical
documents based on the subject matter of the course. AB 2546
was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee on May 25,
2012.
SB 993 (De Le�n) authorizes instruction in social science for
grades 7-12 to include information about the Bracero program. SB
993 is currently pending in this Committee.
SB 994 (Vargas) requires the CDE to establish the California
Latino Curriculum Committee for the purpose of developing a
California Latino curriculum for inclusion in the H/SS
curriculum framework. SB 994 was held in the Senate
Appropriations Committee on May 24, 2012.
Prior legislation: AB 97 (Torlakson), of 2010, which was vetoed
by the Governor, establishes the Academic Content Standards
Commission for Science and History Social Science (Commission)
consisting of 21 appointed members and required the SPI to adopt
a schedule for the Commission to review and recommend revisions
to the science and H/SS curriculum area content standards, when
funding permits. The Governor vetoed the bill with the
following message:
"Given California's participation in the Common Core
initiative and the anticipated reauthorization of the
federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act, this bill
is premature. This bill could create an unnecessary,
duplicative process in the development of content standards
and in the integration of those standards into the state's
assessment system."
SB 48 (Leno), Chapter 81, Statutes of 2011, requires instruction
in social science to include the role and contributions of
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans.
SB 300 (Hancock), Chapter 624, Statutes of 2011, at one time
SB 1540
Page 6
included provisions relative to the completion of the H/SS
framework. The final version of SB 300 requires the SBE to adopt
revised standards in science.
SB 1278 (Wyland), of 2010, requires the SBE to adopt a revised
framework and evaluation criteria for H/SS in 2011. SB 1278 was
held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
AB 2069 (Carter), of 2010, requires the SBE to adopt a revised
framework and evaluation criteria for H/SS by July 1, 2011. AB
2069 was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
Association of California School Administrators
California Council for the Social Studies
California Federation of Teachers
California School Boards Association
Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund
Sikh Council of Central California
Sikh Temple Sacramento
State Superintendent of Public Instruction
The Sikh Coalition
Many Individuals
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by : Mark Murphy and Marisol Avi�a / ED. /
(916) 319-2087
�
SB 1540
Page 1
Date of Hearing: June 13, 2012
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Julia Brownley, Chair
SB 1540 (Hancock) - As Amended: March 29, 2012
SENATE VOTE : 38-0
SUBJECT : Instructional materials: revised curriculum
framework: history-social science.
SUMMARY : Requires the State Board of Education (SBE) to
consider the adoption of a revised curriculum framework and
evaluation criteria for instructional materials in
history-social science (H/SS) by June 30, 2014 in order to
expedite the time and minimize the cost of the adoption process.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Provides that the SBE adopt textbooks for use in grades one
through eight throughout the State and for the textbooks to be
furnished without cost as provided by statute (California
Constitution, Article IX, Section 7.5).
2)Requires the SBE to adopt at least five basic instructional
materials for all applicable grade levels in language arts,
mathematics, science, social science, bilingual or bicultural
subjects, and any other subject, discipline or
interdisciplinary areas for which the SBE determines the
adoption of instructional materials to be necessary or
desirable. Requires the SBE to ensure curriculum frameworks
are reviewed and adopted consistent with the six and eight
year submission cycles, as specified. (Education Code (EC)
Section 60200).
3)Prohibits the SBE from reviewing frameworks or adopting
instructional materials until the 2015-2016 school year (EC
60200.7).
4)Requires the Instructional Quality Commission (IQC) to
recommend curriculum frameworks for adoption to the SBE (EC
60204).
5)Requires the SBE to adopt revised curriculum frameworks and
SB 1540
Page 2
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 (EC
60207).
FISCAL EFFECT : The Senate Appropriations Committee estimates
that this bill will result in direct state costs of $30,000 to
complete the work of updating the H/SS framework and for it to
be considered by the SBE for adoption. In addition, the adoption
of an updated curriculum framework, should the SBE adopt one,
would potentially create cost pressure to adopt new
instructional materials more quickly than would otherwise have
occurred.
COMMENTS : According to the author, "In 2009, the K-12 History
Social Science Framework recommendations were near completion
when the work of the Commission was suspended because the
process and procedures for adopting instructional materials,
including framework revisions, were included in the flexibility
provisions of the Budget. The flexibility provisions were
extended again in the 2011 Budget to the year 2015-16. As a
result, the K-12 History Social Science Framework in place today
is the Framework adopted in 2003 based upon Standards adopted in
1998."
This bill requires the SBE to consider the adoption of a revised
curriculum framework and evaluation criteria for instructional
materials in H/SS by June 30, 2014.
Current restrictions: Consistent with the categorical
flexibility provisions extended to the year 2015-2016 in the
2011 Budget, current law prohibits the SBE from adopting
instructional materials or curriculum frameworks for all
subjects with the exception of mathematics and English language
arts. Mathematics and English language arts were exempted from
this restriction as a result of AB 250 (Brownley), Chapter 608,
Statutes of 2011, which sought to implement the common core
standards adopted through SB 1 X5 (Steinberg), Chapter 2,
Statutes of 2009-2010, Fifth Extraordinary Session.
H/SS content changes frequently: As highlighted in the author's
statement, California's H/SS frameworks have not been updated
since 2003, which are based upon standards from 1998. Supporters
of this bill argue that these standards are outdated and do not
appropriately include information about important topics and
SB 1540
Page 3
occurrences such as the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001,
the following wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the impact of these
events on different groups and populations and other critical
topics. Proponents seem to argue that due to the frequent
changes in history, delays in the adoption of H/SS curriculum
frameworks have a more immediate impact because the delay may
limit student access to this information. There will, even when
the regular six year adoption cycle resumes, however, likely
always be at least a short lag in curricular information as
compared to current trends and events.
Much of the support for this measure seems to center on the need
for curriculum frameworks in California to reflect new
information that is prevalent in recent history. The updated
curriculum frameworks that would be adopted by this bill would
still reflect the 1998 H/SS standards. An updated curriculum
framework may to be able to include more contemporary events and
trends, but would be limited to the content in the standards,
thus raising the question about whether a full review and update
of the H/SS standards would be a more comprehensive approach.
Much of the H/SS curriculum framework is already completed: On
July 17, 2009, the IQC, formerly the Curriculum Development and
Supplemental Materials Commission, approved the draft update of
the H/SS framework for field review. Shortly thereafter, due to
budget action, the field review was suspended. The California
Department of Education (CDE) also suspended work related to the
revision of frameworks for science, health, and mathematics.
Numerous groups and individuals raised concern about the
suspension of the framework revision and adoption process,
particularly in regard to the H/SS framework that was close to
completion. Many argued that the work on the H/SS framework
should be completed even without an immediate instructional
materials adoption because such a framework would provide
updated content and pedagogical strategies for teachers to help
their students acquire updated and relevant knowledge and
skills. This bill follows that logic and requires the adoption
of a H/SS framework even while the instructional materials
adoption process remains suspended.
Requiring consideration by June 30, 2014: This bill requires
the SBE to consider the adoption of new H/SS frameworks by June
30, 2014. Current law requires the SBE to consider the adoption
of new mathematics frameworks by May 30, 2013 and new English
language arts frameworks by May 30, 2014. There is a one year
SB 1540
Page 4
gap in the time between the required consideration of frameworks
for mathematics and English language arts and only a one month
gap between English language arts and H/SS framework. According
to the CDE and the author, however, should this bill be enacted
on January 1, 2013, there would be sufficient time for
completion of all three curriculum frameworks since much of the
process for the H/SS frameworks was already completed in 2009.
If the SBE chose to pursue the adoption of a H/SS curriculum
framework by June 30, 2014, assuming no other changes to the law
occur after the current prohibition sunsets, the next framework
adoption would be in 2020.
Technical Amendment: Language in the bill states that this bill
is an attempt to "minimize costs" and "expedite the time" of the
adoption. The intent of this bill is to require the SBE to
choose whether to update the H/SS curriculum frameworks by June
30, 2014. Staff recommends deleting the language "in order to
expedite the time and to minimize the cost of the adoption
process" from the bill for improved clarity.
Arguments in support: The Sikh American Legal Defense and
Education Fund writes, "Based on our extensive experience in the
area of educating others about Sikhs, we believe that SB 1540
will positively strengthen the relationship not only between
Sikh American students and their peers, but between all
California residents and the Sikh American community of
California."
The California School Boards Association writes, "The current
academic content standards for history social-science were
developed in 1998, fully 13 years ago. Currently, no mechanism
exists in statute to provide for the review of the adopted
standards. Over time, the ever-changing historical trends,
economic conditions, cultural exchanges, and demographics have
created a greater need than ever before for understanding the
foundational ideas and philosophy of our country and the world,
yet the outdated history-social science standards would suggest
that no historically important events have occurred since 1998."
Related legislation: AB 1756 (Knight) eliminates the
requirement that instruction in social sciences include the
early history of California and a study of the role and
contributions of both men and women, Native Americans, African
Americans, Mexican Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific
SB 1540
Page 5
Islanders, European Americans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
transgender (LGBT) Americans, persons with disabilities, and
members of other ethnic and cultural groups, to the economic,
political, and social development of California and the United
States, and instead, makes these provisions permissive. AB 1756
failed in the Assembly Education Committee on April 11, 2012.
AB 2546 (Donnelly) requires the H/SS curriculum framework, when
it is revised by current law, to include specified historical
documents based on the subject matter of the course. AB 2546
was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee on May 25,
2012.
SB 993 (De Le�n) authorizes instruction in social science for
grades 7-12 to include information about the Bracero program. SB
993 is currently pending in this Committee.
SB 994 (Vargas) requires the CDE to establish the California
Latino Curriculum Committee for the purpose of developing a
California Latino curriculum for inclusion in the H/SS
curriculum framework. SB 994 was held in the Senate
Appropriations Committee on May 24, 2012.
Prior legislation: AB 97 (Torlakson), of 2010, which was vetoed
by the Governor, establishes the Academic Content Standards
Commission for Science and History Social Science (Commission)
consisting of 21 appointed members and required the SPI to adopt
a schedule for the Commission to review and recommend revisions
to the science and H/SS curriculum area content standards, when
funding permits. The Governor vetoed the bill with the
following message:
"Given California's participation in the Common Core
initiative and the anticipated reauthorization of the
federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act, this bill
is premature. This bill could create an unnecessary,
duplicative process in the development of content standards
and in the integration of those standards into the state's
assessment system."
SB 48 (Leno), Chapter 81, Statutes of 2011, requires instruction
in social science to include the role and contributions of
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans.
SB 300 (Hancock), Chapter 624, Statutes of 2011, at one time
SB 1540
Page 6
included provisions relative to the completion of the H/SS
framework. The final version of SB 300 requires the SBE to adopt
revised standards in science.
SB 1278 (Wyland), of 2010, requires the SBE to adopt a revised
framework and evaluation criteria for H/SS in 2011. SB 1278 was
held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
AB 2069 (Carter), of 2010, requires the SBE to adopt a revised
framework and evaluation criteria for H/SS by July 1, 2011. AB
2069 was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
Association of California School Administrators
California Council for the Social Studies
California Federation of Teachers
California School Boards Association
Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund
Sikh Council of Central California
Sikh Temple Sacramento
State Superintendent of Public Instruction
The Sikh Coalition
Many Individuals
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by : Mark Murphy and Marisol Avi�a / ED. /
(916) 319-2087