Bill Text: CA AB2979 | 2017-2018 | Regular Session | Amended

California Assembly Bill 2979 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: High school diplomas: State Seal of Career Technical Education Pathway Completion.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2018-08-31 - Ordered to inactive file at the request of Senator Allen. [AB2979 Detail]

Download: California-2017-AB2979-Amended.html

Amended IN Senate July 05, 2018

Amended IN Assembly May 02, 2018

Amended IN Assembly March 22, 2018

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2017–2018 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill

No. 2979

Introduced by Assembly Member Burke

February 16, 2018

An act to add Article 9 (commencing with Section 51490) to Chapter 3 of Part 28 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education Code, relating to career technical education.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 2979, as amended, Burke. High school diplomas: State Seal of Career Technical Education Pathway Completion.

Existing law declares the need to have a well-educated and highly skilled workforce in the state. Existing law establishes the Golden State Seal Merit Diploma for the purpose of recognizing pupils who have mastered the high school curriculum. Existing law also establishes the State Seal of Biliteracy to recognize high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in one or more languages in addition to English and the State Seal of Civic Engagement to recognize high school graduates who have demonstrated excellence in civics education and participation and have demonstrated an understanding of the federal and state constitutions and the democratic system of government.

This bill would establish a State Seal of Career Technical Education Pathway Completion to recognize high school graduates who have attained a high level of knowledge and proficiency in career technical education pathways. The bill would establish criteria for the receipt of the State Seal of Career Technical Education Pathway Completion, would require the Superintendent of Public Instruction to prepare and deliver to participating school districts an appropriate insignia to be affixed to pupil diplomas or transcripts, and would require participating school districts to maintain appropriate ~~records and~~ records, affix the appropriate insignia to diplomas or transcripts of recipient ~~pupils.~~ pupils, and provide pupil support staff and programs to ensure equitable pupil access and success in completing seal requirements and evaluating postsecondary options. The bill would not become operative unless the State Board of Education, in a public meeting, makes specified declarations.

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

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

SECTION 1.

Article 9 (commencing with Section 51490) is added to Chapter 3 of Part 28 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education Code, to read:

Article 9. State Seal of Career Technical Education Pathway Completion

51490.

The State Seal of Career Technical Education Pathway Completion is established to recognize high school graduates who have attained a high level of knowledge and proficiency in fields of study within one of the 15 industry sectors described in the California Career Technical Education Model Curriculum Standards as adopted by the state board. The State Seal of Career Technical Education Pathway Completion shall be awarded by the Superintendent. School district participation in this program is voluntary.

51491.

The purposes of the State Seal of Career Technical Education Pathway Completion are as follows:

(a) To encourage pupils to study career technical education.

(b) To encourage school districts to provide high-quality career technical education pathways leading to industry-recognized certification or licenses.

(d) To provide pupils with a tool to demonstrate occupational competency to employers.

(e) To provide postsecondary educational institutions with a method to recognize and give academic credit to applicants seeking admission.

(f) To prepare pupils with career-ready skills.

(g) To engage pupils in career exploration at an early age.

51492.

The State Seal of Career Technical Education Pathway Completion certifies that a graduating high school pupil has attained a high level of proficiency in a career technical education pathway and meets ~~all~~ at least three of the six following criteria:

(a) Attained a ~~3.0~~ 2.5 grade point average or higher on a 4.0 scale for a sequence of career technical education courses taken in high school.

~~(b)Has either of the following:~~
~~(1)An industry recognized career technical education credential or certificate.~~
~~(2)A grade of B or higher in a college-level career technical education course taken through concurrent enrollment.~~
(c)Participation in an extracurricular activity relating to the career technical education pathway in which he or she is enrolled in, including, but not limited to, any of the following extracurricular activities:
(1)Active participation in a state recognized career technical student organization that meets regularly and either participates in or organizes events relating to the career technical education pathway or related industry sector.
~~(2)Participation in career-technical-education-based competitions.~~
~~(3)Internships with organizations or employers who work in the career technical education field or fields in which the pupil is enrolled.~~
~~(4)Participation in the research of an industry-related topic either done independently or in coordination with an industry professional.~~
(b) Earned an industry recognized career technical education credential or certificate.
(c) Provided proof of enrollment in a postsecondary apprenticeship, certificate, credential, or degree program.
(d) Participated in a state recognized career technical student organization that meets regularly, and either participates in or organizes events relating to the career technical education pathway or related industry sector at a sectional, regional, state, or national level.
(e) Participated in career-technical-education-based competitions at a sectional, regional, state, or national level.
(f) Participated in an internship provided by local employers or organizations that advance pupils’ career readiness skills.

51493.

The Superintendent shall do both of the following:

(a) Prepare and deliver to participating school districts an appropriate insignia to be affixed to the diploma or transcript of the pupil indicating that the pupil has been awarded a State Seal of Career Technical Education Pathway Completion by the Superintendent.

(b) Provide other information he or she deems necessary for school districts to successfully participate in the program.

51494.

A school district that participates in the program under this article shall do both of the following:

(a) Maintain appropriate records in order to identify pupils who have earned a State Seal of Career Technical Education Pathway Completion.

(b) Affix the appropriate insignia to the diploma or transcript of each pupil who earns a State Seal of Career Technical Education Pathway Completion.

(c) Provide pupil support staff and programs to ensure equitable pupil access and success in completing seal requirements and evaluating postsecondary options, including, but not necessarily limited to, counselors, tutoring programs, and other staff that meet pupil needs.

51495.

(a) No fee shall be charged to a pupil to receive a State Seal of Career Technical Education Pathway Completion.

(b) The state board may prescribe additional pertinent requirements for purposes of this article.

51496.

This article shall not become operative unless the state board, in a public meeting, makes a declaration of all of the following:

(a) All California pupils have reasonably equal opportunity to engage in the coursework and other requirements that would be necessary to earn the State Seal of Career Technical Education Pathway Completion.

(b) The State Seal of Career Technical Education Pathway Completion would confer value to the pupil through recognition by postsecondary educational institutions or employers.

(c) The State Seal of Career Technical Education Pathway Completion would be earned through recognized excellence or outstanding achievement in the field of study.

(d) The State Seal of Career Technical Education Pathway Completion would not be based primarily on achievement which is already recognized through other means, such as grades, assessment results, other measures of academic achievement, or industry certifications.