Bill Text: CA SB611 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Amended

California Senate Bill 611 (Prior Session Legislation)

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

Bill Title: Public postsecondary education: University of California.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2011-10-08 - Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 631, Statutes of 2011. [SB611 Detail]

Download: California-2011-SB611-Amended.html

BILL NUMBER: SB 611	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JULY 13, 2011

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Steinberg

                        FEBRUARY 17, 2011

   An act to add Section 66205.6 to the Education Code, relating to
instructional strategies.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 611, as amended, Steinberg. Public postsecondary education: the
University of California.
   Existing law, the Donahoe Higher Education Act, sets forth the
missions and functions of California's public and independent
segments of higher education, and their respective institutions of
higher education. Provisions of the act apply to the University of
California only to the extent that the Regents of the University of
California, by appropriate resolution, act to make a provision
applicable. Existing law also requires the California State
University, and requests the University of California, to establish
model uniform academic standards, develop and implement a speedy
process whereby high schools may obtain approval of their courses as
satisfying specified admissions requirements, and develop a simple
procedure to evaluate career technical education courses, as
specified.
   This bill would request the Regents of the University of
California, subject to availability of funds in the annual Budget
Act, the availability of federal or private funds, or any combination
thereof, to establish and maintain the University of California
Curriculum Integration Institute (UCCII) to be administered by the
President of the University of California.
   The UCCII would facilitate statewide collaboration and innovation
 among secondary level teachers, faculty, and instructors from
various disciplines from the University of California, the California
State University, the California Community Colleges, private higher
education institutions, and statewide career technical education
associations  in providing pupils with course content and
experience within priority industry sectors among those identified in
the California Career Technical Education Model Curriculum Standards
as adopted by the State Board of Education. The UCCII would also
develop, disseminate, and promote career-oriented, integrated
academic and technical education courses that meet course
requirements for admission to the University of California and the
California State University, and align with high-priority industry
sectors among those identified in the California Career Technical
Education Model Curriculum Standards as adopted by the state board.
   The President of the University of California, 
 California would be required to determine the priority among the
industry sectors  in consultation with  appropriate
state entities, industry leaders, representatives of organized labor,
educators, and other parties, would determine the priority among the
industry sectors   ,   but not limited to,
educators, industry leaders, representatives of organized labor, and
appropriate state entities  .
   The bill would make legislative declarations and findings.
   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.  (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (1) California's public systems of education have a significant
opportunity to contribute to the state's job growth and economic
recovery by aligning middle and high school curricula more closely to
the needs of growing and emerging sectors of the California economy.

   (2) Studies show that high schools that bring together strong
academics, demanding technical education, and real world experience
are more likely to engage pupils, raise high school graduation rates,
and better prepare pupils for lasting success in postsecondary
education and careers.
   (3) However, many California  pupil   pupils
 now face educational challenges that could impede their ability
to be productive participants in the state and national economy.
   (4) Nearly 100,000 California pupils dropped out of middle and
high school in the 2008-09 school year, a number equivalent in size
to the population of the City of San Mateo or  the City of 
Compton. Gainful employment prospects for dropouts are shrinking,
given the changing nature of the California economy.
   (5) The Public Policy Institute of California projects that by
2025, two of every five jobs, 41 percent, will require a college
degree, an increase from less than one-third of all jobs in 2005.
Without increased degree production in the state's colleges and
universities, the growth of our emerging economy will be hindered by
a lack of highly educated workers.
   (6) Large majorities of California pupils surveyed say they would
be more motivated to work hard and do well if they attended schools
where they could take courses needed for college and at the same time
have the chance to acquire skills and knowledge relevant to future
careers.
   (7) A stronger and more integrated approach to learning 
--   ,  one that combines rigorous academics with
career education  --   ,  can engage and
motivate pupils who are at risk of dropping out and can create more
options for them after high school, whether they choose college or
career. That type of approach can better prepare pupils for entry
directly into the workforce after high school, without compromising
academic goals and preparation for college.
   (8) Investments in delivering pupils the skills and knowledge
needed for further education and employment in California's
high-growth, high-demand industries are investments in the growth of
a knowledge-intensive, innovation economy.
   (b) The Legislature further finds and declares the following:
   (1) The University of California Curriculum Integration Institute
(UCCII) has begun developing coursework that can accelerate
significant and needed changes in the way California pupils learn in
the classroom, and can keep more pupils engaged in school through
applied learning opportunities that prepare them for college and
career.
   (2) The UCCII brings together  high school  
secondary level  teachers and experts from across the state and
nation to develop new  ,  model courses that provide
pupils with rigorous academic content linked to real world
applications.
   (3) Administered by the University of California, the UCCII
connects  kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive,
  secondary level  educators with faculty and
instructors in a number of disciplines from the University of
California, the California State University, California Community
Colleges, private higher education institutions, and statewide career
technical education associations to develop high school curriculum
based on career-oriented, integrated academic and technical education
content. These newly designed, fully integrated, "a-g" approved
courses will serve to enhance pupil prospects for postsecondary
education and employment.
   (4) Through the UCCII, California has a significant opportunity to
leverage existing infrastructure to better align middle and high
school curricula more closely to the needs of growing and emerging
sectors of the California economy by providing teachers with 
supports   the support  and tools necessary to
design career-oriented, integrated academic, and technical education
content. In doing so, the UCCII can contribute significantly to
engaging and retaining at-risk pupils in the early years of high
school as well as contribute to job creation, economic development,
and sustained economic growth in California.
   (c) It is the intent of the Legislature to see rapid
implementation and scaling of the UCCII. Toward that end, it is the
intent of the Legislature, subject to availability of funds in the
annual Budget Act, the availability of federal or private funds, or
any combination thereof, that the UCCII:
   (1) Facilitate no less than 10 convenings annually.
   (2) Serve at least 500 educators each year.
   (3) By January 1, 2015, have developed no less than 250 courses.
  SEC. 2.  Section 66205.6 is added to the Education Code, to read:
   66205.6.  (a) Subject to availability of funds in the annual
Budget Act, the availability of federal or private funds, or any
combination thereof, the Regents of the University of California are
requested to establish and maintain the University of California
Curriculum Integration Institute (UCCII) to be administered by the
President of the University of California. The Institute shall
accomplish all of the following:
   (1) Facilitate statewide collaboration and innovation  among
secondary level teachers, faculty, and instructors from various
disciplines from the University of California, the California State
University, the   California Community Colleges, private
higher education institutions, and statewide career technical
education associations  in providing California pupils
career-oriented, integrated academic and technical education content
in a manner that provides pupils with opportunities to experience the
application of subject matter content within high-priority industry
sectors among those identified in the California Career Technical
Education Model Curriculum Standards as adopted by the state board.
   (2) Develop, disseminate, and promote career-oriented, integrated
academic and technical education courses that meet course
requirements for admission to the University of California and the
California State University, and align with high-priority industry
sectors among those identified in the California Career Technical
Education Model Curriculum Standards as adopted by the state board.
   (b) For purposes of subdivision (a), the President of the
University of California  ,   shall determine
the priority among the industry sectors  in consultation with
 appropriate state entities, industry leaders,
representatives of organized labor, educators, and other parties,
shall determine the priority among the industry sectors. 
 , but not limited to, educators, industry leaders,
representatives of organized labor, and appropriate state entities.

   (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Regents of the
University of California are requested to establish procedures and
forms to administer the institute only if the regents, by resolution,
make these provisions applicable.