California Assembly Bill AB2306 Latest Draft

 BILL NUMBER: AB 2306AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 5, 2010 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Blakeslee FEBRUARY 19, 2010  An act to amend Section 52372.5 of the Education Code, relating to multiple pathway programs.   An act to add Article 11.5 (commencing with Section 44388) to Chapter 2 of Part 25 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Ed   ucation Code, relating to teachers.  LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 2306, as amended, Blakeslee.  Multiple pathway programs.   Teachers: California Teaching Fellowship.   Existing law establishes various programs to recruit and encourage individuals to complete the required education and training to serve as elementary and public school teachers. Existing law requires individuals teaching in public schools to hold an appropriate credential, permit, certificate, or other document issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.   This bill would establish the California Teaching Fellowship, to be administered by the State Department of Education, for the purpose of encouraging graduates of postsecondary institutions and professionals with backgrounds in mathematics and science to teach in the fields of mathematics and science. The bill would require each applicant accepted into the program to teach at a public school for a 2-year period, during which time the applicant would be authorized to receive a stipend from the department, as determined by the program budget. The bill, notwithstanding the requirement that an individual teaching in the public schools hold an appropriate credential, permit, certificate, or other document issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, would authorize individuals accepted into the program to teach without a credential, permit, certificate, or other document issued by the commission. The bill would require that each applicant, among other things, not have been previously certified to teach, and not have previously withdrawn from the program after the commencement of training. The bill would require each applicant to pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test, and to successfully undergo a background check administered by the department. The bill would require that the program be funded by revenue growth, as identified by the Director of Finance, that is generated by increased economic activity from the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority, as well as by private grants.   Existing law requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction, 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, to develop a report that explores the feasibility of establishing and expanding additional multiple pathway programs, as defined, in California. The Superintendent is required to report to the Legislature as to the status of completing the report and any preliminary recommendations no later than July 1, 2009, and to submit a final report with recommendations to the Legislature and the Governor no later than December 1, 2009.   This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to these provisions.  Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  no   yes  . State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:  SECTION 1.   Article 11.5 (commencing with Section 44388) is added to Chapter 2 of Part 25 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the   Education Code   , to read:   Article 11.5. Teach for California Fellowship Program 44388. There is hereby established the California Teaching Fellowship for the purpose of encouraging graduates of postsecondary institutions and professionals with a background in mathematics and science to teach in the fields of mathematics and science. The department shall establish a highly competitive application process, and shall administer the program, according to the following: (a) For admission to the California Teaching Fellowship, an applicant shall, in addition to meeting any other requirements established by the department, meet all of the following requirements: (1) The applicant shall possess a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution of postsecondary education, and have a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0. (2) The applicant shall be a citizen of the United States, or an alien lawfully admitted as a permanent resident. (3) The applicant shall be fluent in English. (4) The applicant shall not have previously withdrawn from the California Teaching Fellowship after the commencement of training. (5) The applicant shall not be certified to teach, shall not have been previously discharged from the department, and shall not have previously received an unsatisfactory rating as a teacher. (6) The applicant shall undergo a background check administered by the department. (7) The applicant shall successfully pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test. (b) Each applicant accepted into the California Teaching Fellowship shall teach either in the mathematics field or the science field, in a school district maintaining kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, for a period of two years. During the course of the two-year period, participants shall receive a stipend, as determined by the program budget. (c) Notwithstanding any other law, an individual accepted into the program shall not be required to hold a credential, permit, certificate, or other document issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. (d) The program shall be funded by revenue growth, as identified by the Director of Finance, that is generated by increased economic activity from the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority, as well as by private grants.   SECTION 1.   Section 52372.5 of the Education Code is amended to read: 52372.5. (a) For purposes of this section, a "multiple pathway program" is a program that is all of the following: (1) A multiyear, comprehensive high school program 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 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 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 in California, including the costs and merits associated with expansion of these programs. Multiple pathway programs 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. (2) Set forth a reasonable timeline for the development and expansion of multiple pathway programs. (3) Include at least all of the following components: (A) An assessment of the current capacity of the department for the purpose of maximizing the development of these programs. (B) An identification of the possible roles and responsibilities of other departments or agencies to assist in developing or expanding multiple pathway programs. (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, 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 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. 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. (L) An evaluation of current pathway programs, including partnership academies, regional occupational centers or programs and postsecondary pathway programs, 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. (O) An assessment of the budgetary implications of offering all pupils access to these programs. (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.