BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 1441
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Date of Hearing: April 9, 2014
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mike Gatto, Chair
AB 1441 (Stone) - As Amended: March 19, 2014
Policy Committee: EducationVote:6-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
Yes Reimbursable: Yes
SUMMARY :
This bill establishes requirements related to the transfer of
credits for foster youth who transfer from one local education
agency (LEA) to another. Specifically, this bill:
1)Requires LEAs from which a foster youth is transferring to
award credit for courses in proportion to the period of time
the pupil attended each course and achieved a grade of D or
higher.
2)Requires each LEA, no later than July 1, 2015, to adopt a
policy that establishes a method for awarding partial or full
credit to pupils in foster care who are transferring between
schools.
3)Requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI), no
later than July 1, 2015, to notify each LEA by letter of its
duty to award all full and partial credit for courses to
pupils in foster care who transfer between schools.
4)Clarifies that an LEA to which a foster youth has transferred
shall accept full or partial credits for coursework for which
the pupil has received a grade of D or higher in the prior
school.
5)Requires that, if the coursework completed is a course
required for graduation, then the LEA to which the foster
youth has transferred shall award credit for the same or
equivalent course that satisfies the requirement for
graduation.
6)Includes charter schools in the definition of LEA for the
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purposes of this bill.
FISCAL EFFECT
1)One-time GF/98 costs, ranging from $200,000 to $1 million, for
school districts, COEs, and charter schools to adopt a credit
policy, as specified. In 2011-12 there were 1,016 districts
and COEs and 1,018 charter schools in the state. State
mandated reimbursable costs are applicable to districts and
COEs (charter schools are not allowed to claim state mandated
costs).
2)Minor/absorbable one-time GF costs to CDE to notify LEAs of
their duty to award full and partial credit for courses to
pupils in foster care, as specified.
COMMENTS
1)Purpose . Existing law requires the award of partial credit to
foster youth who transfer schools during the school year.
However, according to a 2013 workgroup report from the
California Child Welfare Council, guidance is lacking on how
to calculate, communicate, and utilize partial credit. The
workgroup recommended establishment of a statewide policy that
applies to all LEAs.
This bill requires each LEA to adopt a policy for awarding
partial and full credits using a formula based on the
percentage of course time attended. LEAs are encouraged to
consult the Partial Credit Model Policy and Practice
Recommendations adopted by the California Child Welfare
Council in development of this policy.
2)K-12 Mandate Block Grant . The 2012-13 Budget Act created the
K-12 Mandate Block Grant for school districts, COEs, and
charter schools. Instead of submitting detailed claims on an
ongoing basis that track how much time and money was spent on
each mandated activity, LEAs can choose to receive funding for
all mandated activities included in the block grants. Block
grant funding is provided on a per-student basis, with
different rates for different LEAs. For 2013-14, 84% of school
districts, 79% of COEs, and nearly all charter schools have
chosen funding through the block grant. If the Commission on
State Mandates determines the activities in this bill to state
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mandated activities, these activities would likely be
considered for inclusion in the block grant.
Analysis Prepared by : Misty Feusahrens / APPR. / (916)
319-2081