California Senate Bill SB1109 Amended / Bill

 BILL NUMBER: SB 1109AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN SENATE MARCH 26, 2012 INTRODUCED BY Senator Padilla FEBRUARY 17, 2012 An act  relating to pupil instruction.   to add Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 450) to Part 1 of Division 1 of Title 1 of the Education Code, relating to pupils.  LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 1109, as amended, Padilla.  Pupil instruction: English learner pupils:   Pupils: English learners:  master plan.  Existing law, the English Learner and Immigrant Pupil Federal Conformity Act, provides that the purpose of the act is to ensure that instructional services are provided to pupils with limited English proficiency in conformity with federal requirements that are designed to ensure that all pupils have reasonable access to educational opportunities necessary for the pupils to achieve at high levels in English and in other core curriculum areas of instruction.   This bill would, before January 1, 2014, require the Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop the English Learner Master Plan to expand the support services provided by the State Department of Education in assisting local educational agencies to establish, implement, and sustain language instruction educational programs and programs of English language development for English learner pupils. The bill would require the Superintendent to take into account certain considerations in developing the plan and would require the plan to include specified matters. The bill also would require the Superintendent to report to the Legislature and the State Board of Education on the status of completing the plan and provide recommendations for the plan.   Existing law, the English Learner and Immigrant Pupil Federal Conformity Act, provides that the purpose of the act is to ensure that instructional services be provided to pupils with limited English proficiency in conformity with federal requirements that are designed to ensure that all pupils have reasonable access to educational opportunities necessary for the pupils to achieve at high levels in English and in other core curriculum areas of instruction.   This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would require the State Department of Education to create and adopt a master plan for English learner pupils.  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.   Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 450) is added to Part 1 of Division 1 of Title 1 of the   Education Code   , to read:   CHAPTER 7. ENGLISH LEARNER MASTER PLAN 450. (a) Before January 1, 2014, the Superintendent shall develop the English Learner Master Plan to expand the support services provided by the department in assisting local educational agencies to establish, implement, and sustain language instruction educational programs and programs of English language development for English learner pupils as defined in Section 435. (b) The Superintendent shall, at a minimum, consider all of the following in developing the plan pursuant to this section: (1) Educational research and processes related to the education of English learners. (2) The practices of local educational agencies of other states. (3) The best practices of local educational agencies within the state. (4) The alignment of the resources of the department with the needs of local educational agencies and their English learners. (c) The Superintendent shall report to the Legislature and the state board on the status of completing the plan and provide recommendations for the plan. (d) (1) The requirement for submitting a report imposed under subdivision (c) is inoperative on January 1, 2017, pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code. (2) A report to be submitted pursuant to subdivision (c) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code. 451. The English Learner Master Plan shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following: (a) The efficient use of federal funding. (b) Consistent, reliable, and valid methods for identifying, classifying, and reclassifying English learners. (c) Best practices in instruction that support differentiated instruction and English language development to provide English learners with the appropriate level of challenge and supports necessary for the pupils to reach their learning goals. (d) Programs that facilitate an effective transition to common core academic content standards and state-adopted curriculum frameworks and assessments. (e) Programs that address the needs of long-term English learners. For purposes of this chapter, "long-term English learner" means a pupil in any of grades 6 to 12, inclusive, who has been an English learner for five or more years. (f) Preparation for college and career readiness, including, but not limited to, multiple pathway options and rigorous courses. (g) Professional development programs and continuing education to strengthen and improve the professional training of school employees who work with English learners. (h) An effective means of informing parents or legal guardians of English learners about becoming involved in their children's education and assisting their children to meet state required academic and achievement standards.   SECTION 1.   It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would require the State Department of Education to create and adopt a master plan for English learner pupils.