Bill Text: CA AB790 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Career technical education: Linked Learning Pilot

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2)

Status: (Passed) 2011-10-08 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 616, Statutes of 2011. [AB790 Detail]

Download: California-2011-AB790-Amended.html

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BILL NUMBER: AB 790	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 21, 2011
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 27, 2011
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 4, 2011
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 31, 2011

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Members Furutani and Carter

                        FEBRUARY 17, 2011

   An act  to amend Section 52372.5 of, and  to add and
repeal Section 52372.7 of  ,  the Education Code, relating
to career technical education.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 790, as amended, Furutani.  Career technical education:
 Multiple Pathway   Linked Learning Methodology
 Pilot Program.
   Existing law requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to
develop, in conjunction with specified persons and entities, a report
that explores the feasibility of expanding and establishing career
multiple pathway programs, as defined, in California.
   This bill, commencing with the 2012-13 school year, would
establish the  Multiple Pathway   Linked
Learning Methodology  Pilot Program to be administered by the
State Department of Education according to specified requirements for
the purpose of implementing districtwide  multiple pathway
programs, as defined   linked   learning
methodologies, as defined  , in all participating school
districts. The bill would authorize a school district that maintains
 any of  grades 9 to 12, inclusive, to apply to the
Superintendent to operate a pilot program. The bill would require the
department to review these applications and would authorize the
Superintendent to initially approve no more than 20 applications. The
bill would require this application review and approval to be
conducted on a competitive basis with consideration given to
specified factors. The bill would require the Superintendent to
transmit a report to the Legislature and the Governor by September
30, 2016, that makes specified evaluations and recommendations.
   The bill would make these provisions inoperative on July 1, 2017,
and would repeal them as of January 1, 2018.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) California is at a critical crossroads in terms of the
challenges it faces in reforming its public high school system.
   (b) California is facing an unprecedented state funding gap and
will face continued fiscal problems in the future if it does not
produce an educated and career-ready workforce.
   (c) California must lead efforts to improve graduation rates,
close achievement and opportunity gaps, and prepare all pupils for
success in pursuing both living-wage careers and a variety of
postsecondary learning experiences.
   (d) California must embrace new, innovative approaches to
educational transformation that are likely to lead to high successful
outcomes for our pupils, families, communities, and local and state
economies. 
   (e) California operates a variety of effective career technical
education training programs that meet local needs and that continue
to evolve the options to meet economic demand.  
   (e) 
    (f)  The  multiple pathway   linked
learning  approach is one of the most promising high school
transformational strategies and can be expanded to play a pivotal
role in enabling all of our pupils to be well prepared for life and
workforce demands in a 21st century global economy and society.
   SEC. 2.    Section 52372.5 of the  
Education Code   is amended to read: 
   52372.5.  (a) For purposes of this section, a  "multiple
pathway program"  "linked learning methodology"  is
a  program   methodology  that is all of
the following:
   (1) A multiyear, comprehensive high school  program
  methodology  of integrated academic and technical
study that is organized around a broad theme, interest area, or
industry sector, including, but not necessarily limited to, the
industry sectors identified in the model standards adopted by the
state board pursuant to Section 51226.
   (2) A  program   methodology  that
ensures that all pupils have curriculum choices that will prepare
them for career entry and a full range of postsecondary options,
including two- and four-year college, apprenticeship, and formal
employment training.
   (3) A  program   methodology  that is
comprised, at a minimum, of the following components:
   (A) An integrated core curriculum that meets the eligibility
requirements for admission to the University of California and the
California State University and is delivered through project-based
learning and other engaging instructional strategies that
intentionally bring real-world context and relevance to the
curriculum where broad themes, interest areas, and career technical
education are emphasized.
   (B) An integrated technical core of a sequence of at least four
related courses, that may reflect career technical education
standards-based courses, that provide pupils with career skills, that
are aligned to and underscore academic principles, and to the extent
possible fulfill the academic core requirements listed in
subparagraph (A).
   (C) A series of work-based learning opportunities that begin with
mentoring and job shadowing and evolve into intensive internships,
school-based enterprises, or virtual apprenticeships.
   (D) Support services, including supplemental instruction in
reading and mathematics, that help pupils master the advanced
academic and technical content that is necessary for success in
college and career.
   (b) The Superintendent, in conjunction with the Office of the
Secretary for Education, the California Community Colleges, the
University of California, the California State University, the
Employment Development Department, both houses of the California
Legislature, teachers, chamber organizations, industry
representatives, research centers, parents, school administrators,
representatives of regional occupational centers and programs,
community-based organizations, labor organizations, and others deemed
appropriate by the Superintendent, shall develop a report that
explores the feasibility of establishing and expanding additional
 multiple pathway programs   linked learning
methodologies  in California, including the costs and merits
associated with expansion of these  programs. Multiple
pathway programs   methodologies. Linked learning
methodologies  created for high schools may include, but are not
limited to, California partnership academies, regional occupational
centers and programs, charter schools, academies, small learning
communities, and other career-themed small schools.
   (c) The report described in subdivision (b) shall do all of the
following:
   (1) Identify regulations, policies, and practices that need to be
added, deleted, or amended in order to promote the development and
expansion of  multiple pathway programs   linked
learning methodologies  .
   (2) Set forth a reasonable timeline for the development and
expansion of  multiple pathway programs   linked
learning metho   dologies  .
   (3) Include at least all of the following components:
   (A) Assessment of the current capacity of the department for the
purpose of maximizing the development of these  programs
  methodologies  .
   (B) Identifying the possible roles and responsibilities of other
departments or agencies to assist in developing or expanding 
multiple pathway programs   linked learning
methodologies  .
   (C) An assessment of the appropriateness of school districts
fulfilling the requirements set forth in subdivisions (a) and (b) of
Section 51228 by developing industry-focused  multiple
pathway programs   linked learning methodologies  ,
including those described in this section.
   (D) Methods for developing and sharing models of integrated
curriculum and instruction.
   (E) Strategies for increasing the course options and instructional
time for pupils in high school.
   (F) Plans for increasing opportunities for high-quality learning
based on real-world applications in industry and careers.
   (G) Methods for improving alignment of curriculum between middle
schools and high schools with career instruction, exploration, and
counseling for middle school pupils.
   (H) Methods for improving coordination and articulation between
high schools and postsecondary institutions, including, but not
limited to, California Community Colleges, the California State
University, and the University of California.
   (I) Recommendations for increasing the supply of teachers who can
teach effectively in a  pathway   linked
learning  setting that aims to prepare pupils for a full range
of postsecondary options. Necessary specialized skills include, but
are not limited to, the abilities to design interdisciplinary
projects and use project-based learning as an instructional strategy,
work with other teachers in a team-teaching arrangement, develop
curriculum that effectively integrates academic and technical
content, design and utilize high-quality work-based learning to
reinforce lessons in both academic and technical courses, and develop
authentic pupil assessments.
   (J) Recommendations for increasing the supply of schoolsite and
district administrators who can effectively create and manage schools
that are implementing one or more  industry focused pathway
programs   industry-focused linked learning
methodologies  . Necessary specialized skills include, but are
not limited to, the abilities to develop and sustain partnerships
with industry partners, recruit and retain uniquely qualified
teachers, guide development of integrated curriculum, understand
needs for and provide teacher professional development, guide
development of comprehensive guidance systems that integrate college
advising and career counseling, guide development of a coordinated
and sequenced work-based learning component, and utilize data to
assess pupil readiness for college and career.
   (K) Recommendations for supporting regional coalitions in planning
and developing  programs   methodologies 
.
   (L) Evaluation of current  pathway programs  
linked learning methodologies  , including partnership
academies, regional occupational centers or programs and
postsecondary  pathway programs   linked
learning methodologies  , including middle colleges and early
college models.
   (M) Recommendations for increasing and improving in-school support
services.
   (N) Recommendations for incorporating new measures into the state'
s accountability system to better assess the results of these
programs   linked learning methodologies  .
   (O) Assessment of the budgetary implications of offering all
pupils access to these  programs   linked
learning methodologies  .
   (d) For purposes of completing the report described in subdivision
(b), the Superintendent is authorized to use existing state
resources and federal funds. If state or federal funds are not
available or sufficient, the Superintendent may apply for and accept
grants and receive donations, and other financial support from public
or private sources for purposes of this section.
   (e) In developing the report, the Superintendent may accept
support including, but not necessarily limited to, financial and
technical support, from high school reform advocates, teachers,
chamber organizations, industry representatives, research centers,
parents, and pupils.
   (f) The Superintendent shall report to the Legislature as to the
status of completing the report and any preliminary recommendations
no later than July 1, 2009.
   (g) The Superintendent shall submit a final report with
recommendations to the Legislature and the Governor no later than
December 1, 2009.
   SEC. 2.   SEC. 3.   Section 52372.7 is
added to the Education Code, to read:
   52372.7.  (a) Commencing with the 2012-13 school year, the
 Multiple Pathway Pilot Program is hereby established for the
purpose of implementing districtwide multiple pathway programs, as
defined in subdivision (a) of Section 52372.5, in all participating
school districts.   Linked Learning Methodology Pilot
Program is hereby established for the purpose of implementing
districtwide linked learning methodologies, as defined in subdivision
(a) of Section 52372.5, in all participating school districts. 

   (b) The pilot program shall be administered by the department and
shall contain all of the following requirements:
   (1) Each participating school district shall incorporate
small-sized schools and smaller groupings of pupils within new and
existing high schools.
   (2) Rigorous  multiple pathway programs of study 
 linked learning methodologies  shall be implemented that
guide pupils through course sequences leading to mastery of
standards, high school graduation, and transition to postsecondary
education or employment. These  programs of study 
 methodologies  shall include career technical education
courses as defined by the California State Plan for Career Technical
Education.
   (3) Policies and agreements shall be adopted by participating
school districts that promote concurrent enrollment and dual credit
with community colleges and universities.
   (4) Problem-based instructional methodologies, inquiry learning
approaches, and applied learning strategies shall be adopted within
all subject areas.
   (5) Pupil progress through high school shall be determined by
mastery of grade-level standards-based performance benchmarks
developed by the participating school district.
   (6)  Multiple pathway programs   Linked 
 learning methodologies  shall be implemented by
participating school districts within the district's existing state
and local resources.
   (7) Participating school districts shall involve local business,
labor, parent, and community partners to advise the district on the
development, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of the pilot
program.
   (c) (1) A school district that maintains  any of  grades
9 to 12, inclusive, may apply to the Superintendent to operate a
 Multiple Pathway   Linked Learning Methodology
 Pilot Program in accordance with this section. The department
shall review these applications and the Superintendent may initially
approve no more than 20 applications.
   (2) The review and approval of applications pursuant to paragraph
(1) shall be conducted on a competitive  basis and
consideration   basis. Each applicant school district
shall demonstrate its plans to implement the components of a linked
learning methodology, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section
52372.5. Consideration  shall be given to factors related to the
geographic diversity, type, and size of a school district, and the
extent to which a school district's pilot program would receive
financial and in-kind support from the business and civic community
or funding from government or foundation grants.
   (d) (1) On or before September 30, 2016, the Superintendent shall
transmit a report to the Legislature and the Governor that documents
an evaluation that includes both of the following:
   (A) The costs and merits of the pilot program, including pupil
outcome data that includes, but is not limited to, pupil dropout and
graduation rates, the number and percentage of participating pupils
who meet the requirements and prerequisites for admission to
California public institutions of postsecondary education, and
workforce outcome data, which may include the number or percentage of
pupils who earn a certificate, license, or the equivalent in a
designated occupation.
   (B) The Superintendent's recommendations regarding the need for
additional statutory changes to facilitate the statewide expansion of
the  Multiple Pathway   Linked Learning
Methodology  Pilot Program.
   (2) A report submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be
submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
   (e) The Superintendent may develop regulations necessary to
implement the provisions of this section.
   (f) The Superintendent shall use existing state and federal
resources to implement the provisions of this section.
   (g) This section shall become inoperative on July 1, 2017, and, as
of January 1, 2018, is repealed, unless a later enacted statute,
that becomes operative on or before January 1, 2018, deletes or
extends the dates on which it becomes inoperative and is repealed.