Bill Text: CA SB604 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Public education: mission.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-02-01 - Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56. [SB604 Detail]

Download: California-2009-SB604-Introduced.html

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BILL NUMBER: SB 604	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Romero

                        FEBRUARY 27, 2009

   An act relating to public education.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 604, as introduced, Romero. Public education: mission.
   Existing law establishes the public school system in this state,
and, among other things, provides for the establishment of school
districts throughout the state and for the provision of instruction
at the public elementary and secondary schools that these districts
operate and maintain.
   This bill would declare the intent of the Legislature to elicit
input from pupils, parents, teachers, school administrators, and all
members of the public about the core values and mission of public
education in California, and to enact legislation that would add a
preamble to the Education Code that reflects a collective statement
of these values and that mission.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


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

  SECTION 1.  (a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of
the following:

   (1) California law requires the state to provide universal access
to a free public education and guarantees each child a fundamental
right to equal access to a quality education.
   (2) Public education, which means education that is publicly
financed, tuition-free, accountable to public authorities, and
accessible to all pupils, has evolved to include not only traditional
schools, but also charter and magnet schools, vocational and career
technical education schools, business partnership academies, and
other alternatives designed to meet unique needs and equip pupils
with the knowledge and skills necessary for the 21st century global
economy.
   (3) Common to all public schools is that adequacy and equity of
funding is a prerequisite to providing equal educational opportunity
so that all pupils from every background have the chance to achieve
their potential. The perennial battles over disparities in education
funding demonstrate, however, the continuing challenge to ensure
equality of opportunity in every corner of the state, from large
urban centers to sparsely populated rural areas.
   (4) Public education in America has always been, in the words of
Horace Mann, the "great equalizer," and has played a key role in
unifying diverse cultures and helping millions of children of
immigrants from all parts of Europe and Asia find their way into the
middle class. Public schools have been less successful, however, in
helping African American, Latino, and English learner pupils, who
face an alarming and unacceptable achievement gap compared to their
Caucasian and Asian counterparts.
   (5) Since the founding of the republic, from Thomas Jefferson
through modern-day academics, it has been recognized that engaging
the public in debate about the core values and mission of public
education is necessary to ensure achievement of that mission, and
that this public discussion is important in itself and an essential
part of a democratic culture.
   (6) During a period of reduced resources, and at a time when
funding disparities and a pernicious achievement gap keep the promise
of public education unfulfilled for many California pupils,
including special education pupils, a public dialogue about public
education is especially useful to guide difficult decisions on
allocation of resources and to ensure a firm commitment to the
fundamental right to equal opportunity to a quality education.
   (b) It is the intent of the Legislature to elicit input from
pupils, parents, teachers, school administrators, and all members of
the public about the core values and mission of public education in
California and to enact legislation that would add a preamble to the
Education Code that reflects a collective statement of these values
and that mission.