BILL ANALYSIS �
SENATE COMMITTEE on AGRICULTURE
Senator Cathleen Galgiani, Chair
BILL NO: AB 2033 HEARING: 06/17/14
AUTHOR: Salas FISCAL: Yes
VERSION: 05/01/14 CONSULTANT: Anne Megaro
Agricultural career technical education: grant funding.
SUMMARY :
This bill would state the intent of the legislature to continue
appropriating $4.134 million from the General Fund/Proposition
98 to the Agricultural Career Technical Education Incentive
Program and would require school districts to demonstrate how
the expenditure of these grant funds will be consistent with its
local control and accountability plan.
BACKGROUND AND EXISTING LAW :
Agricultural education programs are recognized as comprehensive
programs that provide leadership opportunities, personal and
professional development, and entrepreneurial skills. In the
2013-14 school year, over 75,000 students in 303 schools
participated in agricultural education programs such as Future
Farmers of America and Supervised Occupational Experience
projects.
Existing law establishes an agricultural career technical
education unit within the State Department of Education to
assist school districts in the establishment and maintenance of
agriculture education programs. Program curriculum must include
classes in agricultural science and technology; supervised
occupational experience programs in agriculture; leadership,
organization, and personal development; and a student learning
activity developed to supplement these components (Education
Code �52450 et seq.).
Existing law establishes the Agricultural Career Technical
Education Incentive Program to award grants to school districts
that meet specified requirements in regards to agricultural
career technical education (Education Code �52460 et seq.). In
2013-14, $4.134 million was awarded to schools through this
grant program, where funds can be used for equipment, supplies,
field trips, and student conferences and cannot be used for
salaries or administrative costs. In order to qualify for grant
funds, schools must provide matching funds and be annually
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evaluated on 12 program quality criteria indicators, which
include curriculum, leadership, community involvement, career
guidance, and program accountability.
Existing law establishes the Local Control Funding Formula
(LCFF) as the system used to fund K-12 school districts and
charter schools (Education Code �52060 et seq.). The LCFF was
created in 2013 to overhaul the school finance system and allow
for greater local control and allocation of resources while
providing for accountability and revised student performance
indicators. The governor's proposed 2014-15 state budget would
transfer funds specifically designated for the Agricultural
Career Technical Education Incentive Program into the Local
Control Funding Formula (LCFF).
PROPOSED LAW :
This bill:
1. States findings and declarations as to the value of
California agriculture, the Agricultural Career Technical
Education Incentive Program, and Future Farmers of America.
2. States that it is the intent of the legislature that
funds appropriated for the Agricultural Career Technical
Education Incentive Program shall be no less than the
amount appropriated during the 2013-14 fiscal year,
$4,134,000 from the General Fund/Prop 98.
3. Requires school districts to demonstrate how the
expenditure of grant funds will be consistent with its
local control and accountability plan.
COMMENTS :
Need for this bill: According to the author, the grant program
is necessary for the future success of California's agriculture
industry. State funding helps incentivize school districts to
invest in and improve programs that provide leadership and
technical skills that prepare students to achieve success in
California.
Informational hearing: The Senate Committee on Agriculture held
an informational hearing on March 18, 2014 on the future of
agricultural education. The hearing examined current
AB 2033 - Page 3
agricultural education programs and their funding sources and
the impact on these programs should funding for the Agricultural
Career Technical Education Incentive Grant be transferred into
the LCFF.
The Legislative Analyst's Office and the Department of Finance
recommend that the legislature adopt the governor's proposal to
remain consistent with the movement of other categorical
programs into the LCFF in 2013-14. School districts would have
the option to continue funding these programs but without the
added administrative burden associated with meeting individual
program compliance requirements.
Those in support of maintaining the agricultural incentive grant
program separate from the LCFF express concern that if funds are
transferred, the current cohesive statewide program would
dissolve and the quality and availability of agricultural
education across California would be reduced. This would impact
California's ability to prepare a well-trained and educated
workforce interested in pursuing agricultural careers.
Double referral: The Senate Rules Committee has double referred
this bill to the Senate Education Committee as the second
committee of referral. Therefore, if this measure is approved
by this committee, the motion should include an action to
re-refer the bill to the Senate Committee on Education.
RELATED LEGISLATION :
AB 97 (Budget), Chapter 47, Statutes of 2013. Establishes the
Local Control Funding Formula.
PRIOR ACTIONS :
Assembly Floor 77-0
Assembly Appropriations 17-0
Assembly Education 7-0
SUPPORT :
Bayer Corporation
California Agricultural Teachers' Association
California Farm Bureau Federation
California State Grange
AB 2033 - Page 4
California Women for Agriculture
Corcoran Unified School District
Kings County Board of Supervisors
Small School Districts' Association
Western Growers Association
OPPOSITION :
None received