BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 1530
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Date of Hearing: April 23, 2014
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Joan Buchanan, Chair
AB 1530 (Chau) - As Amended: March 28, 2014
SUBJECT : Model curriculum: computer science
SUMMARY : Encourages the State Superintendent of Public
Instruction (SPI) to develop or, as needed, revise a model
curriculum on computer science, and to submit the model
curriculum to the State Board of Education (SBE) for adoption.
Specifically, this bill :
1) Makes findings and declarations related to computer science
in the K - 12 education system.
2) Declares the goal of the computer science curriculum in
Kindergarten and grades 1 - 6, inclusive, should be to
introduce the fundamental concepts of computer science,
including instruction on computational thinking, algorithmic
processes and principles, hardware and software design,
computer applications, the impact of computers on society,
and to increase the knowledge of computer science for all
pupils, especially those pupils who are members of
underrepresented groups.
3) Encourages the SPI to develop or, as needed, revise a model
curriculum on computer science, and to submit the model
curriculum to the SBE for adoption.
4) Requires the SPI, upon adoption by the SBE, to make the
model curriculum available on the California Department of
Education's (CDE) Internet Web site.
5) Permits the SPI to seek out, apply for, and accept non-state
funding sources to defray the cost of developing a model
curriculum pursuant to this article, including, but not
limited to, federal funds, grant programs, and private funds.
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EXISTING LAW :
1) Makes a Legislative finding that recognizes increasing the
integration of computers and computer technology into
California's economy has profound implications for
California's society and the state's educational policy.
2) Makes a Legislative finding recognizing early exposure to
basic computer education and computer resources for all
students ensures academic and career success.
3) Makes a Legislative finding that it is imperative California
adopt a policy to ensure equitable access to technological
education programs.
4) Declares a policy for the state of California that all
students in grades 1 - 12 shall have equitable access to
educational programs designed to strengthen technological
skills, including, but not limited to, computer education
programs.
5) Requires the SPI to develop model curriculum on the life and
work of Cesar Chavez.
6) Requires the CDE to develop model curriculum on gang
violence suppression, substance abuse prevention, and driver
education.
7) Requires the SBE to adopt model curriculum on the teaching
of genocide and permits the SBE to adopt model curriculum on
the contributions of Native Americans.
FISCAL EFFECT : unknown
COMMENTS : According to the author, as California moves toward
a technology intensive world, it is essential for all students
to excel in and have a deeper understanding of the fundamentals
of computer science and its connection to innovation and the
development of technology. For the sake of our future work
force, innovation and equal opportunity, we as a state and as
leaders in our various spaces, must do more to bring computer
science into our schools. This is one step in the continuing
evolution of computer science in K-12 schools to teach our
children how to become the creators of technology and not just
the consumers of it.
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Model Curriculum
On multiple occasions the Legislature has asked the CDE, SPI, or
SBE to develop model curriculum for use in California's
classrooms. Model curriculum is designed to give classroom
instructors ready access to comprehensive and accurate
information that can be used to build engaging lessons for any
classroom. For example, in 2000, the CDE published a
standards-based model curriculum on the life and work of Cesar
Chavez. This curriculum is published on the CDE's Web site and
provides biographies, pictures, and other resources to help
teachers prepare lessons for Kindergarten and grades 1 - 12.
Existing model curriculum published by the CDE is based on
adopted state content standards. Because California has not
adopted computer science standards, the committee may wish to
consider that any such model curriculum developed or identified
for computer science cannot be based on state-adopted standards.
Until computer science standards are adopted, committee staff
recommends allowing the SPI to identify existing curricula that
can be accessed by teachers and instructors to guide their
classroom instruction. Toward this end, committee staff
recommends adding a finding that identifies existing
comprehensive computer science curriculum, such as that
published by the National Science Foundation. Committee staff
also recommends technical, non-substantive changes to these
sections.
Finally, committee staff recommends a date certain, July 1,
2017, by which the Legislature encourages the SPI to submit this
curriculum to the SBE for adoption and corresponding inoperative
and repeal dates of July 1, 2018 and January 1, 2019,
respectively. These dates ensure the SPI has sufficient time to
identify, develop, or revise model curriculum and gives the SBE
an additional year to act on the recommendation prior to the
inoperative date.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
CalChamber (Previous Version)
Code.org
Computer Science Teachers Association
Computing the Core
Microsoft
San Diego Unified School District
AB 1530
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Tech Net
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by : Jill Rice / ED. / (916) 319-2087