BILL ANALYSIS �
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 1540|
|Office of Senate Floor Analyses | |
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UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Bill No: SB 1540
Author: Hancock (D), et al.
Amended: 8/20/12
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
SENATE FLOOR : 38-0, 5/07/12
AYES: Alquist, Anderson, Berryhill, Blakeslee, Calderon,
Cannella, Corbett, Correa, De Le�n, DeSaulnier, Dutton,
Emmerson, Evans, Fuller, Gaines, Hancock, Harman,
Hernandez, Huff, Kehoe, La Malfa, Leno, Lieu, Liu,
Lowenthal, Negrete McLeod, Padilla, Pavley, Price, Rubio,
Simitian, Steinberg, Vargas, Walters, Wolk, Wright,
Wyland, Yee
NO VOTE RECORDED: Runner, Strickland
ASSEMBLY FLOOR : Not available
SUBJECT : History-Social Science Framework
SOURCE : Author
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DIGEST : This bill requires the State Board of Education
(SBE) to consider, by June 30, 2014, the adoption of a
history-social science framework.
Assembly Amendments require the California Department of
Education (CDE) to conduct work necessary to revise the
curriculum framework and evaluation criteria for
instructional materials in history-social science only
after it has completed work related to the development of
curriculum frameworks for the common core academic content
standards as provided by law, and delete the date, June 30,
2014, by which SBE must consider criteria for instructional
materials.
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
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. 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 SBE to consider, by June 30, 2014, the adoption
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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.
3.Requires CDE to conduct work necessary to revise the
curriculum framework and evaluation criteria for
instructional materials in history-social science only
after it has completed work related to the development of
curriculum frameworks for the common core academic
content standards as provided by law.
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
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 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. 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, 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.
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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 Assembly Appropriations Committee,
one-time General Fund administrative costs to the CDE
likely between $100,000 and $150,000, to complete the
history-social science curriculum framework and evaluation
criteria, as specified. It estimates potential General
Fund/Proposition 98 cost pressure, likely in the low
millions, to provide local education agencies with funding
to purchase the history-social science instructional
materials.
SUPPORT : (Verified 8/22/12)
California Council for the Social Studies
California School Board Association
Korea Academy for Educators
Sikh Coalition
Sikh Council of Central California
Sikh Temple Sacramento
Superintendent of Public Instruction
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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:RM:n 8/22/12 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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