BILL NUMBER: SB 381AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN SENATE APRIL 16, 2009 INTRODUCED BY Senator Wright ( Coauthor: Senator Wyland ) FEBRUARY 26, 2009 An act to amend Sections 51224 and 51225.3 of the Education Code, relating to high school instruction. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 381, as amended, Wright. High school instruction: course of study. Existing law prescribes the course of study a pupil is required to complete while in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, in order to receive a diploma of graduation. Existing law authorizes the governing board of a school district to adopt rules specifying additional coursework requirements. This bill would prohibit a school district from adopting a graduation requirement that requires the completion of additional coursework to meet or exceed the requirements and prerequisites for admission to the California public institutions of postsecondary education unless the district also adopts analternativeadditional graduation requirement that requires the completion of an equal amount of coursework to attain entry-level employment skills in business or industry upon graduation from high school. The bill also would make conforming changes. 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 51224 of the Education Code is amended to read: 51224. The governing board of any school district maintaining a high school shall prescribe courses of study designed to provide every pupil with the opportunity to be prepared to enter the world of work with sufficient marketable skills and knowledge for legitimate remunerative employment, as described in Section 51004. The governing board shall prescribe separate courses of study, including, but not limited to, a course of study designed to prepare prospective pupils for admission to state colleges and universities and a course of study for career technical training. SEC. 2. 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, except as provided in subdivision (c). (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) In order to maintain a balance of course offerings for all pupils pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 51228, a school district shall not adopt a graduation requirement pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) that requires the completion of additional coursework to meet or exceed the requirements and prerequisites for admission to the California public institutions of postsecondary education unless the district also adopts analternativeadditional graduation requirement that requires the completion of an equal amount of coursework to attain entry-level employment skills in business or industry upon graduation from high school.