BILL ANALYSIS �
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Carol Liu, Chair
2013-2014 Regular Session
BILL NO: SB 300
AUTHOR: Hancock
INTRODUCED: February 15, 2013
FISCAL COMM: Yes HEARING DATE: April 10, 2013
URGENCY: No CONSULTANT: Lynn Lorber
SUBJECT : Curriculum framework: Next Generation Science
Standards.
SUMMARY
This bill requires the State Board of Education to consider
the adoption of a revised curriculum framework and
evaluation criteria for instructional materials based on
the Next Generation of Science Standards.
BACKGROUND
Current law prohibits the State Board of Education (SBE)
from adopting instructional materials, curricular
frameworks, or evaluation criteria until the
2015-16 school year, except as described below. (EC �
60200.7)
Standards
Current law requires the SBE to adopt the common core
academic content standards in mathematics and English
language arts by August 2010.
(Education Code � 60605.8)
Current law requires the SBE to consider the adoption of
new science standards by November 30, 2013. (EC �
60605.85)
Frameworks
Current law requires the SBE to adopt revised frameworks
that are aligned to the common core standards in:
Mathematics by November 30, 2013.
English language arts by May 30, 2014. (EC �
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60207)
Evaluation criteria
Current law authorizes the SBE to adopt evaluation criteria
for common core-aligned instructional materials in
mathematics by March 31, 2013.
Current law requires the SBE to adopt revised evaluation
criteria aligned to the common core standards in English
language arts by May 30, 2014.
(EC � 60207)
Instructional materials
Current law:
Authorizes the SBE to conduct an adoption of basic
instructional materials that are aligned to the common
core standards for mathematics, by March 30, 2014.
(EC � 60207)
Establishes processes for the development of
supplemental instructional materials in English
language arts (by September 30, 2012), English
language development (by June 30, 2014), and
mathematics (by September 30, 2012 & July 30, 2013).
(EC � 60605.86, 60605.87 & 60605.88)
ANALYSIS
This bill requires the State Board of Education to
consider, by November 30, 2015, the adoption of a revised
curriculum framework and evaluation criteria for
instructional materials based on the anticipated Next
Generation of Science Standards.
STAFF COMMENTS
1) Need for the bill . According to the author, "This
bill will allow for a more timely development of
curriculum frameworks and therefore, speed up the
instructional materials process once the Next
Generation Science Standards are completed. This bill
is the next step following the adoption of updated
science standards."
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2) Next Generation Science Standards and the common core .
The Superintendent of Public Instruction, in
consultation with the State Board of Education (SBE),
is required to convene a group of science experts for
the purpose of recommending science content standards
for adoption to the SBE which must be based upon the
Next Generation Science Standards. Those science
standards are being developed by a consortium of
states, managed by Achieve, and are based on the
Framework for K-12 Science Education developed by the
National Research Council. The final release of the
Next Generation Science Standards is expected April
8-12, 2013. The SBE is required to consider the
adoption of new science standards by November 30,
2013.
The common core standards in English language arts and
mathematics were developed by a state-led
collaborative, rather than the federal government, as
are the Next Generation Science Standards. While not
technically part of the common core, the Next
Generation Science Standards are similar insofar as
the standards are common across the states that choose
to adopt the new standards.
3) Ambitious schedule . The California Department of
Education (CDE) is currently working on several common
core-related activities (approving supplemental
instructional materials, evaluating mathematics
instructional materials), is scheduled to update the
history-social science framework and adopt updated
science standards, and is sponsoring legislation to
implement additional common core activities.
This bill requires the SBE to consider the adoption of a
revised framework and evaluation criteria for
instructional materials in science by a future date
that allows the CDE to first complete the common core
activities. This bill does not address the adoption
of basic instructional materials or the approval of
supplemental materials. The development of
instructional materials typically follows the adoption
of evaluation criteria but requires legislation to
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grant authority to the SBE to conduct an adoption.
4) Related legislation . SB 518 (Wyland) requires the
Instructional Quality Commission and the SBE to
include the subjects of engineering and robotics in
the next adoption of science and mathematics
frameworks.
SB 518 is scheduled to be heard in this Committee on
April 24.
SB 201 (Liu) authorizes the SBE to adopt, by November
30, 2015, K-8 instructional materials that are aligned
to the common core English language arts standards and
common core English language development standards.
SB 517 (Wyland) establishes the Invigorating Science,
Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Teacher
Preparation Grant Program.
SB 517 is scheduled to be heard in this Committee on
April 24.
SUPPORT
California Federation of Teachers
California School Boards Association
California Science Teachers Association
California STEM Learning Network
Superintendent of Public Instruction
OPPOSITION
None on file.