BILL NUMBER: AB 554INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Furutani FEBRUARY 25, 2009 An act to amend Section 51225.3 of the Education Code, relating to graduation requirements. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 554, as introduced, Furutani. Graduation requirements. Existing law prohibits a pupil from receiving a diploma of graduation from high school unless he or she completes specified requirements, including, but not limited to, completing one course in visual or performing arts or foreign language and 2 courses in physical education, except as specified. This bill would authorize a pupil, with the consent of his or her parent or guardian and with the concurrence of the governing board, to replace each of these courses with a career technical course. The bill would specify that, for purposes of graduation requirements, any career technical course completed pursuant to these provisions would serve as a legitimate substitute for the replaced course. 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. Section 51225.3 of the Education Code is amended to read: 51225.3. (a) Commencing with the 1988-89 school year, no pupil shall receive a diploma of graduation from high school who, while in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, has not completed all of the following: (1) At least the following numbers of courses in the subjects specified, each course having a duration of one year, unless otherwise specified. (A) Three courses in English. (B) Two courses in mathematics. (C) Two courses in science, including biological and physical sciences. (D) Three courses in social studies, including United States history and geography; world history, culture, and geography; a one-semester course in American government and civics, and a one-semester course in economics. (E) One course in visual or performing arts or foreign language. For the purposes of satisfying the requirement specified in this subparagraph, a course in American Sign Language shall be deemed a course in foreign language. (F) Two courses in physical education, unless the pupil has been exempted pursuant to the provisions of this code. (2) Other coursework as the governing board of the school district may by rule specify. (b) The governing board, with the active involvement of parents, administrators, teachers, and pupils, shall adopt alternative means for pupils to complete the prescribed course of study which may include practical demonstration of skills and competencies, supervised work experience or other outside school experience, career technical education classes offered in high schools, courses offered by regional occupational centers or programs, interdisciplinary study, independent study, and credit earned at a postsecondary institution. Requirements for graduation and specified alternative modes for completing the prescribed course of study shall be made available to pupils, parents, and the public. (c) A pupil, with the consent of his or her parent or guardian and with the concurrence of the governing board, may substitute a career technical course for each of the following courses: (1) One course in visual or performing arts or foreign language, pursuant to paragraph (E). (2) Two courses in physical education, pursuant to paragraph (F). (d) Each career technical course that a pupil completes pursuant to subdivision (c) shall serve as a legitimate substitute for the course that it replaced for purposes of graduation requirements.