California Assembly Bill AB2647 Amended / Bill

 BILL NUMBER: AB 2647AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 29, 2012 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Swanson FEBRUARY 24, 2012  An act relating to career technical education.   An act to add Section 51760.4 to the Education Code, relating to pupil instruction.  LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 2647, as amended, Swanson.  Career technical education.   Pupil instruction: work-based learning.   Existing law authorizes school districts that maintain high schools to establish work experience programs for the purpose of providing pupils with instruction in skills, attitudes, and understandings necessary for success in employment.   This bill would require the governing board of a school district offering work-based learning opportunities to require a teacher of any of grades 9 to 12, inclusive, to verbally inform pupils about work experience education opportunities and other career partnerships in order to raise awareness of the career training resources that are available to those pupils.   Existing law authorizes various career technical education programs, including regional occupational centers and programs, specialized secondary programs, partnership academies, and agricultural career technical education programs.   This bill would declare the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would raise awareness of the career training resources available to high school pupils, and would set forth related findings and declarations.  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 finds and declares all of the following:  (1)   (a)  As the state and the nation move fully into the green economy, there is a unique opportunity to align the various training programs offered in high schools, community colleges, and other postsecondary institutions, in order to provide clear pathways to quality employment and career opportunities in the growth sectors of the economy. While this alignment is necessary for all young people in California, it is especially critical for boys and young men of color, far too many of whom are disconnected from education, training, and employment opportunities.  (2)   (b)  Special attention should be drawn to the need for greater targeting of resources, expanding learning opportunities, and capacity-building efforts in under-performing schools where the greatest number of boys and young men of color are found.  (3)   (c)  Attention should also be drawn to the need for greater accountability for effective accelerated learning opportunities in alternative schools, such as continuation high schools and community day schools, in which African American and Latino youth comprise more than two-thirds of the enrolled pupils.  (4)   (d)  High school graduation with completion of the courses that are required for college admission is an essential platform for successful postsecondary education, employment, and career opportunities that provide economic security for boys and young men of color, their families, and the people of the state.  (b) It is therefore the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would raise awareness of the career training resources that are available to high school pupils.   SEC. 2.   Section 51760.4 is added to the   Education Code   , to read:   51760.4. The governing board of a school district offering work-based learning opportunities shall require a teacher of any of grades 9 to 12, inclusive, to verbally inform pupils about work experience education opportunities and other career partnerships in order to raise awareness of the career training resources that are available to those pupils.