Bill Text: CA AB1399 | 2017-2018 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Teacher credentialing: recognition of study in genocide, atrocities, and human rights.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Vetoed) 2018-01-12 - Stricken from file. [AB1399 Detail]

Download: California-2017-AB1399-Amended.html

Amended  IN  Assembly  March 28, 2017

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2017–2018 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill No. 1399


Introduced by Assembly Member Nazarian

February 17, 2017


An act relating to pupil instruction. An act to add Section 44257.5 to the Education Code, relating to teacher credentialing.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 1399, as amended, Nazarian. Pupil instruction: genocide. Teacher credentialing: recognition of study in genocide and human atrocities.
Existing law requires the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to establish standards and to determine the terms for the issuance and renewal of teaching credentials, certificates, and permits, as specified.
This bill would require the commission to convene a workgroup to advise the commission on the establishment of program standards for the issuance of a recognition of study in genocide and human atrocities for holders of a single subject teaching credential and would authorize the commission to add this recognition of study to the single subject teaching credential of a teacher who meets the program standards established by the workgroup. The bill would require the workgroup to perform specified other duties relating to genocide studies, including advising the Governor and the Legislature on strategies to improve genocide, human rights, and tolerance education and to promote genocide education.

Existing law establishes the system of public elementary and secondary schools in this state. Existing law requires the adopted course of study for grades 7 to 12, inclusive, to offer courses in social sciences, including instruction in human rights issues, with particular attention to the study of the inhumanity of genocide, slavery, and the Holocaust. Existing law requires the State Department of Education to incorporate into publications that provide examples of curriculum resources for teacher use those materials that are age appropriate and consistent with subject frameworks on history and social science that deal with civil rights, human rights violations, genocide, slavery, and the Holocaust. Existing law also requires the Model Curriculum for Human Rights and Genocide adopted by the State Board of Education to be made available to schools in grades 7 to 12, inclusive, as soon as funding becomes available and the department to make the curriculum available on its Internet Web site.

This bill would express the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would promote the accurate instruction of genocide in public elementary and secondary schools in this state.

Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: NOYES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Section 44257.5 is added to the Education Code, to read:

44257.5.
 (a) For purposes of this section, “recognition of study in genocide and human atrocities” means a statement added to a single subject teaching credential to indicate that the holder of the single subject teaching credential has completed a commission-approved program that can be applied to the academic instruction authorized by his or her credential. A recognition of study in genocide and human atrocities teacher education program may be offered as part of an initial teacher preparation program or as a separate program for teachers who possess a valid single subject teaching credential.
(b) The commission shall convene a workgroup to develop program standards for the issuance of a recognition of study in genocides and human atrocities for holders of a single subject teaching credential. The workgroup shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following:
(1) The Superintendent or his or her representative.
(2) Representatives from approved teacher preparation programs, including at least one representative from the California Community Colleges, the California State University, the University of California, and the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities.
(3) A researcher.
(4) A historian.
(5) A representative from a school district, a county office of education, or a charter school.
(6) A history-social science teacher.
(7) A representative of other organizations deemed appropriate by the commission.
(8) A parent representative.
(c) The duties of the workgroup shall also include, but are not limited to, all of the following:
(1) Advise the Governor and the Legislature on strategies to improve genocide, human rights, and tolerance education.
(2) Identify all programs in the state that train teachers in genocide studies.
(3) Identify all nonprofit organizations in the state that train teachers in genocide studies.
(4) Identify strategies for improving access to genocide education materials and information.
(5) Promote education on genocide.
(d) The workgroup shall begin meeting on January 1, 2018.
(e) The commission may add a recognition of study in genocide and human atrocities to the single subject teaching credential of a teacher who meets the standards established pursuant to this section.
(f) The California State University and other teacher preparation institutions are encouraged to establish goals to increase the number of teachers participating in genocide and human atrocities education programs.
(g) The commission and the Superintendent shall gather and post, on an appropriate Internet Web site, a list of nonprofit organizations and best practices from school districts and schools on curriculum development and professional development relating to implementing and sustaining genocide and human atrocities education programs.
(h) A recognition of study in genocide and human atrocities issued pursuant to this section shall not be considered a type of authorization, shall not be used as a condition of employment, shall not replace a subject matter competence requirement, and shall not be used in making employment decisions pursuant to Section 44955.

SECTION 1.

It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would promote the accurate instruction of genocide in public elementary and secondary schools in this state.

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